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"Making Research Matter" Workshop Series
The Duke Center for Community-Engaged Scholarship is pleased to offer a new workshop series, "Making Research Matter," for Duke researchers on how to “do policy engagement” for meaningful short- and long-term partnerships with policymakers in order to increase the relevance, quality, usage, and impact of research. The series will be led by Jenni Owen, Professor of the Practice at the Sanford School of Public Policy, and Debbie Goldstein, AVP for Community-Engaged Scholarship at Duke Community Affairs/Office of Interdisciplinary Programs, who both have an extensive background in policy and community engagement.
The workshop series will meet monthly from late February through November 2026 and will include 7 total sessions (a combination of in-person and virtual, with two "off" months in the summer). Proposed dates are listed below, but we can adjust if the participants indicate a need for different timing. While the series will focus on state and local government in North Carolina, the content will be applicable across levels of government and in other contexts beyond NC. Participation in the workshops is free.
The workshop series is available to individual researchers or groups of 2-3 researchers (groups should include at least one Duke faculty member or research staff, but can also include graduate students). Each group should have questions about opportunities for connecting their existing and emerging research with policy for impact and how to do so. We are aiming for a group of about 10-15 participants, representing 6-10 project teams, so we have incorporated a very brief application process to understand interest and select participants.
Examples of topics the Workshop series will address:
- Policy Engagement and Government 101: What is policy engagement and how to do it, who are the relevant actors, what government entities are relevant to your area of focus, what political dynamics are relevant
- Developing Partnerships with Government: how to initiate and land engagement opportunities, understanding what research government entities wnat and need, how to connect with the right people and when, strategies for partnership
- Communicating with People in Public Policy: how to contact and connect with government officials, how to prepare for engagement, how to present your work effectively so people understand and use it
The program will include speakers, lectures, skill-based workshops, and trainings. To put the teachings, learnings, and skill development into practice, participants will use examples of their existing or emerging work, projects they are part of, and ideas they have, in addition to examples and use cases that we will provide.
If you are interested in applying to participate in the workshop series, please complete this brief application to indicate interest by January 30th. Participants will be notified by February 9th. We have tentatively selected the following dates and times for the initial workshops, but may adjust the timing if the group indicates a strong alternate preference. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to communityengagementcenter@duke.edu or contact Jenni or Debbie.
Proposed dates, tentatively from 4-6 pm:
February 24 (time TBD but please hold 4-7 pm)
March 24
April 28
June 2
August TBD
October TBD
November TBD