From Comunica iGuides

Contents 1 Partnerships between researchers, policy makers and policy end-users, Identify key networkers and salesmen, Use informal contacts. 2 Strategy: Find electronic (online) representations of existing networks, join them and publicize own findings in these networks 3 Strategy: Make findings available in appropriate formats (these formats differ for specific networks) 4 Table of Contents of the iGuide

Partnerships between researchers, policy makers and policy end-users, Identify key networkers and salesmen, Use informal contacts.

In case of most issues which are subject to public policies, there already exist formal and informal networks among stakeholders with interest in given public policy. These networks represent an opportunity for a researcher or activist to present their findings and push their agenda. In order to establish a presence in such networks with the help of Web2.0 tools, it is necessary to:

• Find electronic (online) representations of these networks
• join these networks
• publicize ones' own findings in these networks
• Make findings available in proper formats that capture attention, facilitate data verification and allow easy sharing and interactivity

Strategy: Find electronic (online) representations of existing networks, join them and publicize own findings in these networks

Tools and Usage	Potentials	Limitations	Examples
Search Internet search can help to find appropriate online forums, but the most efficient way of locating and joining such networks is by inquiring among stakeholders.

Strategy: Make findings available in appropriate formats (these formats differ for specific networks)

Tools and Usage	Potentials	Limitations	Examples
Collaboration tools Wikis , Google Docs, Google Sites, Dropbox and other online collaboration tools.	Ease of editing and sharing encourages participation Easy to develop an attractive presentation Possibility to reference supporting evidence Making sure everybody works with up-to-date versions of documents
Graphs and other visuals	See above
Videos	See above

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Table of Contents of the iGuide

1. Introduction |Impact 2.0 - New mechanisms for linking research and policy 2. Basic Communication Strategy and use of Web 2.0 Tools for Evidence Based Policy 2.1 What Are Web 2.0 Tools and Why They Should be Incorporated into the Research 2.2 How to Communicate 2.3 Web 2.0 Tools to Support the Political Context, Evidence and Links Framework 3. Section 1: Political Context 3.1 Get to know the policy makers, their agendas and their constraints 3.2 Identify potential supporters and opponents 3.3 Keep an eye on the horizon and prepare for opportunities in regular policy processes 3.4 Look out for – and react to – unexpected policy windows 4. Section 2: Evidence 4.1 Establish credibility over the long term 4.2 Provide practical solutions to problems 4.3 Establish legitimacy 4.4 Build a convincing case and present clear policy options 4.5 Package new ideas in familiar theory or narratives 5. Section 3: Links 5.1 Get to know the other stakeholders 5.2 Establish a presence in existing networks 5.3 Build coalitions with like-minded stakeholders 5.4 Build new policy networks 6. Section 4: Data visualization tools 7. Webinars – sharing your findings in online seminars Glossary Appendix 1 – what one should know while using Web 2.0 tools

This iGuide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Impact 2.0 is a project of the Fundación Comunica with funding provided by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada.

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Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.