Events

The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) started the Policy Communication Fellows Program to bridge the gap that often exists between the research and policy environments. Research often has profound implications for policy, but without proper communication between the research community and policy audiences, the significance of research findings may be lost. The responsibility to address this gap lies with both policymakers and researchers. This program seeks to train the next generation of leaders shaping policy in their countries.

Recognizing the wealth of expertise and experience that exists in the Global South, the Policy Communication Fellows Program has undergone a redesign process to bring participants closer to the communities they seek to impact in the future. Since 2018, PRB has partnered with the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), an African-led, regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy and practice in development efforts in Africa. This year the partnership continues. 

The 2021-22 program, hosted virtually, seeks to inspire greater south-south collaboration and knowledge exchange. Fellows will connect with research and advocacy experts and learn, firsthand, relevant advocacy priorities and policy landscapes. The Policy Fellows Program is committed to providing an enriching, cutting-edge experience for participants that reflects the diverse and constantly evolving landscape of policy and communications.   

The goals of the Policy Communication Fellows program are: 

• To understand the process by which research informs the policy environment.
• To learn how to communicate research to policy audiences in a way that encourages action.
• To improve participants’ communication skills using a variety of formats and platforms.