Michael Miller

BROWN∙MILLER COMMUNICATIONS. INC.

Why policymakers matter

They can put your

findings to work

Move research from

theory to impact

Increase chances of your

research positively

impacting your

community

Policymakers don’t have time to read research

Looking for distilled info

Need reliable source they can contact

Reference in drafting legislation

Background:

• Extreme budget crisis

• Programs slotted for

100% cut

• Substitute

abstinence-only

funding

“The governor has had to confront a $14.5 billion budget

deficit, declare a fiscal state of emergency and announce

across-the-board cuts for almost every state agency.”

January 28, 2008

“. . . a gap so large that cuts to

schools, health care and welfare

programs appear inevitable.”

January 5, 2008

“Schwarzenegger

finds himself mired in

a budget crisis even

bigger than the first.”

February 1, 2008

Complete advocacy,

research & PR involvement

Translate to community cost

Data by Legislative districts

Forced legislators to take a

role

Timed media release

Short (2-6 page) research

overview that has bearing on

existing or emerging policy

issues

Informs, clarifies, supports but

does not necessarily take a

political position

Any current community issue that may be

addressed through adoption of regulation

or law to address common welfare,

needs, health or moral issues, usually in

response to a perceived problem.

Rigorous, Reliable and

Responsible

Addresses current issue

Unbiased

Applicable regional solutions

FOCUSED

Both based on rigorous research

Both address value to the public/community

Both aim to educate

Academic Publications

Policy Briefs

Academic Paper Policy Brief

Written for a broader public

Focused on single issue

Overview of issue, findings

Current, timely and contemporary

Strongly written

BRIEF

Findings invite/support action

Accents public good or need

Audience is other academics

More complex, involved and

comprehensive

Time consuming and evergreen

Peer reviewed

Less filtered

Statement of problem/issue and

background

Methodology

Research Findings

Supporting charts, data, graphs

Implications

Identification of

author/organization, sources,

contact info

Clean and Simple

Easy read – ample white

space, not too grey

Supported with photos,

charts, graphs

Logical to have UC

“Family Design”

Does my research impact a current or emerging policy

issue?

Do I have unique, evidence-based information of relevance

to issue?

Am I ready to give my research the impact it deserves?

Does this elevate the value of UCCE in the community?

Am I willing to be a player in policy discussions?

Can I, and am I willing, to stand by my research against

opposition?

Am I willing to act as a consultant to policymakers,

community leaders and press?

Working with ANR Communications Services

Cynthia Kintigh Marketing Director

Phone: (530) 754-3911

Email: cckintigh@ucdavis.edu

Step into the game

Make your research resonate

Showcase the importance of your work

IMPACT!

Michael Miller

Brown∙Miller Communications

mike@brownmillerpr.com

(925) 370-9777