Public Policy and Higher Education: Strategies for Framing a Research Agenda: ASHE Higher Education Report, Volume 41, Number 2 (J-B ASHE Higher Education Report Series (AEHE))

Conducting "policy relevant" research remains elusive yet important since evidence-based policymaking results in better public policy decisions. But how can this be done? What are some promising practices to help make academic scholarship more policy relevant? This monograph provides strategies that--when addressed--should improve the chances of a study becoming relevant to policy audiences. It provides: practical examples, theoretical perspectives, discussions of key stakeholders, and promising research strategies for framing work in policy relevant ways. By being more intentional about the policy relevance of our work and connecting research with emerging policy debates, we can increase the likelihood that future policy solutions will be evidence-based and informed by the most recent and rigorous research in our field. This the 2nd issue of the 41st volume of the Jossey-Bass series ASHE Higher Education Report. Each monograph is the definitive analysis of a tough higher education issue, based on thorough research of pertinent literature and institutional experiences. Topics are identified by a national survey. Noted practitioners and scholars are then commissioned to write the reports, with experts providing critical reviews of each manuscript before publication. Conducting "policy relevant" research remains one of the more elusive quests facing higher education scholars. Yet, it is one of the most important since evidence-based policymaking results in better public policy decisions. But how can this be done? What are some promising practices to help make academic scholarship more policy relevant? This monograph provides strategies that--when addressed--should improve the chances of study becoming relevant to policy audiences. It provides: practical examples, theoretical perspectives, discussions of key stakeholders, and promising research strategies for framing work in policy relevant ways. By being more intentional about the policy relevance of our work and connecting research with emerging policy debates, we can increase the likelihood that future policy solutions will be evidence-based and informed by the most recent and rigorous research in our field. Graduate students and faculty members conducting research in any area within the field of higher education can benefit from this monograph -- From back cover What are some promising practices to help make academic scholarship more policy relevant? There are no easy answers, but this monograph wrestles with them and provides strategies that when addressed should improve the chances of a study becoming relevant to policy audiences. Introduction Sources of higher education policy Supplying policy-relevant research Bearing more fruit? The prospects of conducting policy-relevant research Summary and reflections.