Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public policy literacy through the Sekolah Wartawan program. In a session held on Monday (Sep. 29), the program featured Alfath Bagus Panuntun El Nur Indonesia, who delivered a presentation on the theme Developing Evidence-Based Policy Briefs.
He emphasized the role of policy briefs as a bridge between academic research and policymaking needs. These concise documents provide policymakers with clear, focused, and evidence-based recommendations to navigate complex dilemmas.
“Policy briefs are the most effective way to deliver input so that the government can act promptly,” said Alfath.
In his presentation, Alfath noted that public policy often emerges from dilemmas that are difficult to avoid. He cited examples such as the development of the high-speed railway and the relocation of the capital city, both of which involve competing interests.
According to Alfath, evidence-based policy briefs can help untangle these complexities by presenting measurable options that are grounded in research and evidence.
“Our lives are confronted with dilemmas, and the task of policy briefs is to manage them based on evidence,” he explained.
Alfath also highlighted the gap between developed countries and Indonesia in the policymaking process.
While decisions in developed countries are generally based on research, in Indonesia, they are often driven by instinct and vested interests, making policies prone to ineffectiveness and even public burdens.
“Our problem is that too often policies are made based on instinct rather than science,” he stressed.
Tracing the history of evidence-based policy, Alfath referred to the Great Depression era in the United States in the 1930s.
At that time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt encouraged bold experimentation with the principle of learning from failure. This approach emphasized trying, evaluating, and adjusting policies to real-world conditions.
Alfath argued that this principle remains highly relevant for Indonesian policymakers, who frequently face uncertainty.
“If we don’t know the answer, then we must dare to try and learn from the process,” he remarked.
However, Alfath acknowledged that developing evidence-based policy briefs is not without challenges.
One major issue is the misalignment between the research cycle and the policymaking cycle, which often demands rapid responses. Research findings are sometimes only available after policies are already implemented, limiting their direct influence.
To address this, Alfath recommended alternative methods such as realist synthesis, which examines the context, mechanisms, and outcomes of policies.
“The policy cycle moves faster than the research cycle, so we need a more adaptive approach,” he said.
For example, Alfath discussed the use of realist synthesis in Integrated Health Service Post (Posyandu) programs addressing stunted growth.
This method goes beyond highlighting aggregate reductions in stunting, instead examining contextual factors such as the presence of active community health workers, village funding support, and community trust.
By analyzing the interplay of context, mechanism, and outcomes, policy recommendations can be better tailored. According to Alfath, this demonstrates the importance of combining generalist and specialist knowledge.
“A program that succeeds in one location may fail elsewhere if context is not considered,” he added.
Beyond evidence quality, Alfath emphasized that politics also plays a critical role in determining the effectiveness of policy briefs.
Understanding the actors in power, their interests, and the political timing strongly influences whether recommendations are adopted. Without such awareness, policy briefs risk being ignored.
He stressed that writers must carefully identify their target audience.
“Policy briefs should be directed to those who have the authority and interest to enact policy changes,” he noted.
At the close of the session, Alfath encouraged participants to help bridge the worlds of research and policymaking through the development of policy briefs.
He asserted that academics, journalists, and practitioners share a social responsibility to ensure that research provides tangible benefits to society. Drafting policy briefs, he concluded, is not merely a technical skill but a form of public advocacy.
“Evidence-based policy is our way of siding with society,” Alfath stated.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian