From Research to Policy: Reflections from the Health Policy Advocacy Workshop

MOTIP recently organised the Health Policy Advocacy Workshop for researchers from the Mahidol–Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM), with the aim of accelerating the readiness of research projects to engage with policymakers and progress toward real-world implementation. 

The workshop brought together seven research projects spanning malaria, thalassaemia, vitamin B1 deficiency and other priority health areas. While diverse in scientific focus, the projects shared a common challenge: how to move beyond evidence generation and position research in ways that meaningfully inform policy decisions. 

This workshop marks the first in a new “Research to Policy” workshop series, inspired by insights and feedback from last year’s Research to Policy Meeting jointly held by MORU and FTM. Building on that foundation, the Health Policy Advocacy Workshop focused on equipping researchers with practical tools to navigate the policy landscape more strategically. 

A structured approach: the 9 Questions framework 

The workshop was led by Professor Lakhana from the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, who introduced participants to a practical 9 Questions framework for health policy advocacy. Rather than viewing policy influence as ad hoc or reactive, the framework encouraged researchers to think systematically about what policy they want to influence, who they need to engage, and how change can realistically occur. 

The first set of questions focused on defining the policy problem and intent. Participants were challenged to clearly articulate the specific policy issue they wanted to address and the change they sought to achieve, moving beyond broad problem statements to concrete policy asks. 

The second set centred on audience and communication strategy. Researchers examined who holds decision-making power, who influences those decision-makers, what messages resonate with different stakeholders, and which channels are most effective for engagement. These discussions highlighted the importance of tailoring messages for policy audiences rather than relying solely on academic outputs. 

The final set addressed resources, feasibility, and execution, prompting participants to reflect on what evidence and networks they already possess, what gaps remain, and what a realistic first step toward policy engagement might look like. 

Learning from real-world pathways to policy impact 

To ground the framework in practice, the workshop featured case studies that illustrated how research can inform policy when evidence is paired with strategic engagement. 

One example was the Automated tool for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (AMASS), developed within MORU. AMASS was designed to enable hospitals and health authorities — particularly in low- and middle-income settings — to generate reliable antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data using routine laboratory data. Its policy relevance emerged not only from technical innovation, but from alignment with surveillance needs, early stakeholder engagement, and clear positioning within national and global AMR strategies. 

Participants also learned from Dr. Saharat, who shared insights from efforts to introduce high-cost but high-impact medicines into Thailand’s National List of Essential Medicines. His experience highlighted the importance of framing evidence around cost-effectiveness, equity, budget impact, and system feasibility — and engaging policymakers at the right time. 

Looking ahead 

Feedback from the workshop highlighted strong demand for the next step in this journey, particularly hands-on training on how to develop and write effective policy briefs. MOTIP looks forward to building on this momentum through future Research to Policy workshops and continuing to support researchers as they move from research to policy — and ultimately, to impact. Stay tuned for the next initiative in this series!