Transforming core research findings into policy

The essence of what we already know

Policy for Research involves projects that bring together research in an accessible way. Scientific results are transformed into policy dossiers. That allows Vewin to do its lobby work and have an influence on policy in The Hague and Brussels. “KWR’s knowledge is particularly useful where policy and research meet,” says Arjen. “We can use it as a basis for our recommendations.” Jos adds: “In Research for Policy, we don’t ask our researchers to engage in new research but to get to the essence of what we already know. And to present this in understandable language. That can sometimes be quite a challenge.”

Clear language and illustrations in fact sheets

Arjen can immediately provide one successful example of an area where research and policy meet: the Water Framework Directive (WFD). “This European directive is very important for the protection of drinking water sources. It tackles all sorts of issues that are often complicated to explain. For example, how does excessive nitrate in groundwater affect drinking water supplies? In consultation with KWR, we have therefore started developing fact sheets that provide insight into this area. For example, there are WFD fact sheets on emerging substances, pesticides and nitrate. Those fact sheets consist of a few pages of clear text and appealing illustrations. They can be found on the Vewin website. And they are very effective in terms of showing politicians and other stakeholders the basis for our views about the sector.”

Members help set the course

Every year, Vewin and KWR draw up a list of research questions for Research for Policy. That list isn’t the product of ivory tower thinking, explains Arjen. It reflects grass-roots needs. “Vewin is an association, and our members – the drinking water utilities – help to set the course. We work in steering groups and committees to discuss a range of policy issues, as well as the positions we as a sector can adopt with respect to policy. Those discussions also cover the substantive knowledge we need for these activities. Examples include themes such as water quality, soil and energy. That is not limited to consulting the steering groups about the question; the results are also presented to the steering group, often with an accompanying recommendation. Obviously, we do want to make sure that all that knowledge is moved forward and implemented.”

“Knowledge is very much needed; that’s not on everyone’s radar.”

Arjen Frentz (Vewin)

Independent research

The results of Research for Policy are not sent directly to the competent authority, stresses Jos. “The scientific component of the research has to be independent. That’s very important. So it’s a good thing that Vewin is writing its own document to accompany the research findings: this is an approach that used in lobbying. I think that’s the right allocation of roles. I always tell my KWR colleagues that, as researchers, we shouldn’t take over Vewin’s role. We don’t make recommendations about policy.”

Arjen provides a concrete example to explain how that works. “Take the WFD fact sheets I mentioned earlier. When a fact sheet has been completed, Vewin posts a press release on the website that also states our position. It will say, for example, that PFAS must be removed from our water system and that the relevant discharges must cease. We include a link to the fact sheet on emerging substances. For us, that communication is very important during our lobby work. Knowledge is very much needed; that’s not on everyone’s radar. Especially in politics, where people come and go. Pooling our efforts with KWR works very well. It’s a genuine co-production.”

“Ultimately, the impact is what we all do it for.”

Jos Frijns (KWR)

The impact is what we do it for

The fact that Research for Policy is grounded in Waterwijs is something that both Arjen and Jos think is vital. Arjen: “It’s good to realise that drinking water supplies are linked to all sorts of systems. We work with pretty much all of the ministries and all levels of the European Commission. And so we come up against a range of issues. We simply can’t do without the facts in any of those areas.” From a scientific perspective, Research for Policy ensures that research results are stated in terms of policy relevance.

“I’m very happy about that,” Jos says. “In Waterwijs, we work with and for the drinking water sector so that the results actually take root somewhere. The worst thing that can happen is for a report to end up at the bottom of the pile somewhere. That’s why we work with the drinking water utilities, devoting a lot of effort to putting results into practice. Research for Policy is one of the pieces of the puzzle here. Not only because the results in this case are used by Vewin, but also to make our researchers aware that they should formulate their results so that they can be used for specific purposes in the outside world. Ultimately, the impact is what we all do it for.

This article was published in Dutch in the Waterwijs magazine – Van kennis naar doen. You can read the magazine online here.