Packaging to increase research usability

Packaging research in different ways:

• Makes research work harder on your behalf• Increases ‘opportunities to see’ – especially

new audiences and those who don’t have time to read a 30-page report

• Creates new opportunities to interact with different audiences

• And more...

Five steps to improve packaging

• What, and who, are you packaging for?• Branding and messaging• Leveraging the research - and the researcher• Timing• Leveraging other tools, channels and people.

ODI publications at a glance

DFID 1.4.40 approach

“We have found the “1.4.40 approach” to be effective and useful...involves producing a package or portfolio of products: - a one page of key messages- a four page executive summary - a report of no more than 40 pages presenting your findings.”

2011: Timing + other people

2014: ‘Could someone please clone Sarah Phillips?’

Policy influence: ECDPM and Economic Partnership Agreements

Policy influence: ECDPM #AfricaEU2014

Policy influence: ECDPM #AfricaEU2014

What’s the potential?

Is there a researcher or ED at your table? Ask them to select a piece of research.What can they tell you about:- Why is it important or unusual? - What do they want people to do once they have read it? Aim for:- A single page of four key messages? - Ideas to package that research to engage key audiences?