“Strategic communication, engagement with decision-makers, and knowledge translation are key competencies that equip researchers to contribute to public health discussions beyond academic and medical spaces,” stressed Associate Professor Dr. Romulo F. Nieva Jr. of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila in a parallel session during the 43rd Anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) on 17 March 2025 at Sheraton Manila. He emphasized that these are three must-have skills for researchers aiming to connect with decision-makers. Titled “Are Health Researchers Policy Advocates? Exploring Research-to-Policy Translation Competencies Among Researchers,” the session aimed to inspire participants to strengthen their influence on health policies.

Dr. Nieva explained that gathering evidence is just one part of the process. Without the skills to strategically communicate, engage with decision-makers, and translate research into actionable formats for government agencies, valuable findings risk being overlooked. Dr. Nieva also pointed out that understanding the interplay of research and policymaking takes a different set of skills.

Strategic communication helps health researchers to present findings that resonate with government stakeholders. Engaging with decision-makers allows researchers to demonstrate how their work aligns with policy goals and priorities. Knowledge translation simplifies technical studies into accessible formats, such as policy briefs or summaries, to promote broader understanding. 

Dr. Nieva also discussed challenges that restrict the influence of research on policymaking, such as frequent leadership transitions, shifting government priorities, and the lack of transparent systems for integrating research into decisions. He noted that the prevailing academic culture often favors journal publication over active public service engagement.

Similarly, institutional mechanisms that encourage researcher participation in public decision-making were strongly emphasized. Dr. Nieva underscored the importance of equipping researchers with tools to navigate the decision-making process, build relationships with agencies, and leverage political timing and context  to integrate research into policies effectively.

In closing, Dr. Nieva encouraged everybody in the parallel session to go the extra mile in health policymaking. “We must be proactive in the communication process, understand the spaces where decisions are made, and be present in between conversations of researchers and policymakers. It is only then research and policy can truly serve the people it intends to help.”