Preferred registration deadline: December 4th

3 CEs

Effective policy communication bridges the gap between evidence and action. Presented in partnership with the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, this hands-on workshop is designed for researchers, nonprofit leaders, and community-engaged professionals seeking to strengthen their policy communication skills. We will focus primarily on developing effective policy briefs while also exploring how briefs can be complemented by other forms of policy communication, including op-eds, fact sheets, blog posts, and public testimony, as part of a broader dissemination and engagement strategy.

Participants will learn how to identify target audiences, frame policy issues, synthesize evidence, incorporate community perspectives, and develop actionable recommendations. Through practical examples and guided instruction, attendees will gain strategies for crafting persuasive communications that can inform policymakers, organizational leaders, and other decision makers.

We will also dedicate time to peer discussion, facilitated activities, and individualized feedback. Participants are encouraged to bring a policy issue, research project, or advocacy topic they would like to develop. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with practical tools, a stronger understanding of policy communication, and progress toward a policy brief of their own.

This is an in-person workshop that will be held on Washington University’s Danforth Campus. The exact location and directions will be emailed to registered participants before the course date.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 30.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences: Nonprofit professionals, researchers, community-engaged practitioners

Agenda:

• Welcome and Introductions - 5 mins
• Challenges and Principals to effective policy communication - 25 mins
• Anatomy of an Effective Policy Brief/Introduce Build Your Own Policy Brief - 25 mins
• Framing the Brief (Audience, Aim & Hook) - 15 mins
• Making the Case (Background & Evidence) - 15 mins
• Moving to Action (Policy Options & Recommendations) - 15 mins
• Strengthening the Brief (Tradeoffs & Outcomes) - 15 mins
• Beyond the Brief: Dissemination Strategies for Policy Impact - 25 mins
• Dissemination Planning Activity - 10 mins
• Policy Brief Share-Out & Feedback - 15 mins
• Reflection, Discussion & Next Steps - 15 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Identify the key components of effective policy communication, including how to tailor messages for policymakers, organizational leaders, funders, and other decision-makers.
• Give a policy brief that clearly defines a policy issue, synthesizes evidence and lived experience, and presents actionable policy recommendations.
• Identify a strategic dissemination approach by selecting complementary communication tools to amplify the reach and impact of a policy brief.

Course Completion Requirements:

The Brown School is an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois. To earn credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. You may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs if you miss part of the training. CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available.

For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.