Policy Advocacy Techniques

When science is under attack and budgets are shrinking, “publish and pray” isn’t a strategy—it’s a risk to public health. Our new Nature Portfolio piece—“Maximizing researcher–policymaker engagement in global public health”—sets out a practical playbook so every pound/dollar of research translates into policy impact. As researchers who have held high level roles in the #UN (including #WHO) and in government-facing roles, we wrote this for researchers who need to move evidence beyond journals and into decisions—now. What the paper offers (ready to use): 👉 A 6-question framework (Why, What, With whom, When, Where, How) to plan engagement from day zero—not after publication. 👉 Mechanisms you can deploy immediately: concise policy briefs; rapid “science-on-demand” syntheses; deliberative dialogues and roundtables; embedded advisors/knowledge brokers; advocacy coalitions that combine diverse skills and networks; and digital evidence hubs. 👉 Timing & politics: how to spot policy windows, manage trade-offs, and show contribution (not just attribution). 👉 Roles for funders & universities: ring-fence time/budget for engagement; reward policy outcomes alongside citations. Do this in the next 90 days: 1.    Map your decision-makers & calendars (who decides, when). 2.    Turn your latest findings into a 2-page brief + 10-minute deck. 3.    Convene a small roundtable with policy leads and one civil-society partner. 4.    Join or form an advocacy coalition for your topic: identify 1–2 civil-society groups, a policy entrepreneur, and a comms ally; agree a shared objective (e.g., wording in a guideline), split roles (research, convening, media, legislative outreach), and set a 12-week action plan. Shaping policy is hard work, and far from a science, but if publicly funded research stops at publication, it underserves the public. Let’s fix that—together. Read the paper: Maximizing researcher–policymaker engagement in global public health https://lnkd.in/eruJ_d-R J. Jaime Miranda David Berlan Camila Corvalan Taufique Joarder Arpita Raja Raja Yoong Khean Khoo Sunoor Verma Brig Gen Prof Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen (Rtd) Anne Marie Thow Helena Legido-Quigley David Peiris Rogers Kanee PhD, MPH, CSCA Ertila Druga MD MBA PhD Adeeba Kamarulzaman

I spent 8 years working on Capitol Hill. I've been lobbied thousands of times. Here are 10 strategies for lobbying Congress on an issue you care about (regardless of who wins the election next week): 1️⃣ - Begin with your own elected officials. Offices prioritize their constituents. When you reach out, provide your city and zip code to show they represent you. 2️⃣ - Have a clear ask. It's ok to explain why you're passionate about the issue, but ask them to take a specific action. See if they'll support an existing bill or letter, or if one doesn’t exist, ask them to lead the issue. 3️⃣  - Amplify your voice. Rally ten other constituents to make calls, send emails, and write letters in support of your cause. A single call won't move the needle, but multiple ones can. 4️⃣ - Contact relevant legislative staff. If you can’t find their email address online, call the main line and ask. Or stop by the office and pick up their business card. 5️⃣ - Be clear and succinct. Send a personalized email requesting a 15-minute call or meeting. Explain the issue in a few lines and attach a memo with additional information. If they don’t respond the first or second time, try something different and get creative. 6️⃣ - Provide a compelling justification. Explain why it’s in their interest to support the idea. Show them it's politically safe if it aligns with their previous positions or has constituent support. 7️⃣- Seek assistance from advocacy groups. These outside organizations can endorse the legislation, reach out to staff, and rally support from other constituents. Before supporting initiatives, legislators will often ask which groups support the idea. 8️⃣ - Validate the idea. Highlight thought leaders, academics, and experts that endorse the idea. Have them write an op-ed or ask them for a favorable quote. Their endorsement makes it easier for legislators to support your cause. 9️⃣ - Engage supportive elected officials. Ask those that already champion the idea to talk to your legislator. They will want to know if other like-minded elected officials support the issue. Peer pressure works. 🔟 - Leverage celebrities. Most stars are passionate about something. Find the one who cares about your issue and encourage them to engage. Set up briefings and events where they can speak to legislators and staff. What has worked for you? 👇 Let me know in the comments ♻️ Repost this to help other advance the issues they care about. And follow Geo Saba for more.

A Behavioural Science Framework for Tackling Upstream Challenges in Health Systems At least since 2015, when I joined a donor organization, I’ve wondered: why doesn’t policy and advocacy have a behavioral framework? It’s always surprised me. I’ve raised this question many times with colleagues at different institutions, and I’ve never received a satisfying answer. More recently, in conversations with colleagues at Global Health Visions, we’ve been exploring how behavioral science might enhance our policy and advocacy efforts. This paper gives us language and structure to take that conversation further. This paper introduces a fresh approach by building a behavioral science lens for upstream actors—people like government officials, funders, and policy shapers whose decisions create the conditions for everyone else downstream. Why this is important: Behavioral science is often applied to patient or provider behavior—adherence, uptake, compliance. But those interventions don’t always address the systemic bottlenecks and frictions that start at the top. Ignoring upstream behavior has, unfortunately, stunted health systems work. Key Elements of the Framework: 1. Distill the challenge into actionable behaviors: -What’s the outcome of interest? (e.g., reduce maternal mortality) -What system-level changes would help achieve it? -Who needs to do what? -Which behaviors offer the highest leverage for intervention? 2. Diagnose the drivers behind each behavior: -Awareness: Is the decision even on the actor’s radar? -Framing: How do identity, incentives, and context shape how the decision is viewed? -Options: What’s seen as viable or visible? -Consequences: What trade-offs, risks, or rewards are salient? -Follow-through: What frictions could derail action? These questions apply just as powerfully to upstream actors as they do to frontline workers or community members. A Practical Example: Suppose a Ministry of Health delays adopting a new maternal referral guideline, despite strong evidence. A behavioral lens might reveal: -The decision isn’t salient amidst competing demands. -The official frames the decision as high-risk politically. -They perceive the option as costly or hard to implement. -Frictions like unclear next steps or inter-departmental coordination block progress. Behavioral tools—like reframing, choice architecture, or reducing follow-through frictions—could unblock the decision and accelerate reform. The framework doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a way to better understand and act on the real drivers of systemic inertia—and to co-design solutions that are behaviorally informed, politically realistic, and more likely to stick. #BehavioralScience #HealthSystems #PolicyDesign #GlobalHealth #SystemChange #BehavioralInsights #ImplementationScience #DonorWork #UpstreamThinking #PublicPolicy #GHV #DecisionScience #HealthPolicy #SocialNorms #OrganizationalBehavior

Lobbying Alone Won’t Win Anymore Grassroots used to be the “nice to have.” Today, it’s the difference between winning and losing. For years—especially pre-2010—grassroots was treated as a supporting actor to direct lobbying. You hired a lobbyist, set up meetings on Capitol Hill, maybe organized a fly-in, and layered in some constituent outreach to show “support.” It mattered… but let’s be honest, much of it was performative. That world is gone. The fragmentation within both parties, and the reality that elections are now decided by razor-thin margins have fundamentally changed the equation. Add in social media—where narratives form, spread, and influence polling in real time—and grassroots is no longer a supplement. It’s a centerpiece. Members of Congress don’t just want to hear from professionals anymore. They need to hear from the people who put them in office—and they’re measuring that feedback in ways they never did before. Calls, emails, local media, digital engagement, and coordinated community voices now shape not just perception, but decision-making. And grassroots today? It’s not what it used to be. This isn’t about blasting out a form letter and hoping it lands. Modern grassroots is: * Data-driven – targeting the right districts, voters, and influencers with precision * Digitally powered – integrating social media, peer-to-peer outreach, and rapid response campaigns * Coalition-based – aligning unlikely allies to create broad, credible pressure * Narrative-focused – telling a story that resonates locally, not just legislatively * Always-on – not a one-week push, but a sustained strategy * It’s sophisticated. It’s strategic. And it’s essential. Today, you don’t just “hire a lobbyist.” You build an advocacy ecosystem: * A lobbying team to navigate policy and relationships * A grassroots operation to activate real voices * A media and digital team to shape the narrative * And yes—when needed—a crisis communications strategy to protect it all That entire operation might sit within one firm or one highly capable individual—but the disciplines are distinct, and the expectations are higher than ever. And here’s the reality too many still underestimate: A Capitol Hill fly-in is important. But it’s not grassroots. Not anymore. Grassroots is what happens before that meeting, during the debate, and after the vote. It’s what ensures that when a Member walks into a hearing or onto the floor, they already know where their constituents stand—and why. If you’re not investing in grassroots as a core pillar of your advocacy strategy today, you’re not just behind the curve… You’re operating in a version of Washington that no longer exists. #grassroots #grassrootslobbying #lobbying

"Advocacy isn't just for lobbyists – it's a powerful tool for every nonprofit. 🔊🏛️ Let's bust a myth: 501(c)(3) organizations CAN and SHOULD engage in advocacy. It's not just allowed; it's often crucial for achieving your mission. Types of Advocacy 501(c)(3)s Can Engage In: 1. Public Education 📚 • Inform the public about issues related to your mission • Share nonpartisan research and reports 2. Legislative Advocacy ⚖️ • Educate legislators about issues (within limits) • Provide expert testimony on policy impacts 3. Administrative Advocacy 📝 • Comment on regulations affecting your constituency • Participate in implementation of laws 4. Nonpartisan Voter Engagement 🗳️ • Conduct voter registration drives • Provide nonpartisan voter education 5. Coalition Building 🤝 • Join forces with other organizations on shared goals • Amplify collective voice on issues 6. Grassroots Mobilization 🌱 • Encourage supporters to contact decision-makers • Organize petition drives 7. Media Advocacy 📰 • Write op-eds or letters to the editor • Engage in social media campaigns Remember: While direct lobbying is limited, there's a wide range of advocacy activities you can pursue! Why Advocacy Should Be Part of Your Strategy: 1. Amplify Your Impact: Address root causes, not just symptoms 2. Protect Your Mission: Ensure policies support, not hinder, your work 3. Represent Your Community: Be a voice for those you serve 4. Demonstrate Expertise: Position your org as a thought leader 5. Engage Supporters: Offer meaningful ways for people to get involved 6. Collaborate and Network: Build relationships with other orgs and leaders For my fellow Muslim-led nonprofits: Our faith calls us to stand up for justice. Thoughtful, strategic advocacy is a powerful way to fulfill this calling. Don't let fear or misconceptions hold you back. Integrate advocacy into your strategic plan and amplify your impact! How does your organization engage in advocacy? Share your experiences below! 👇 Want more insights on nonprofit strategy and impact? Join my mailing list: https://lnkd.in/gN2CCsv3 Picture: Beth Gendler and I at the Minnesota State Capitol during our #MJWMN days! #NissaConsulting #NonprofitAdvocacy #SocialImpact #MuslimLedNonprofits #StrategicLeadership

Policy is easy. Results are hard. I want to highlight the quiet professionals who are delivering tangible results for our military families every single day: our Defense-State Liaison Office (DSLO) Regional Liaisons. This team is the tip of the spear for our family policy efforts, working on the ground in state capitals to turn high-level goals into enacted local legislation. This is our answer to avoiding "paralysis by analysis." A perfect example just happened in Washington State. Our Northwest Regional Liaison, after months of behind-the-scenes work, secured a unified public endorsement of our entire 2026 legislative agenda from the state's Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. Critically, this was done in lockstep with local Army, Navy, and Air Force leaders, presenting a powerful, single voice to the legislature. This is what ‘doing something’ looks like. This isn't just about process; it's about solving the real-world friction our families face. Here’s a more detailed look at what this advocacy work is focused on: - Tackling Spouse Unemployment: Military spouse unemployment / underemployment hovers around 25%. One of many causal factors is the inability to transfer professional licenses across state lines. Our liaisons work to get states to adopt interstate compacts for careers that require licenses like teaching, social work, cosmetology, and more, allowing spouses to get back to work faster after a PCS. - Creating Educational Stability for Kids: A mid-semester move is incredibly disruptive. We champion policies like open enrollment flexibility to ensure children of service members can integrate into new schools quickly, minimizing educational gaps and social stress. - Ensuring Continuity for EFMP Families: For our families in the Exceptional Family Member Program, a PCS can mean dangerous gaps in medical or educational services. Our liaisons work with state agencies to streamline processes, aiming for a seamless "warm handoff" of care and support. - Increasing Childcare Capacity: We champion state-level exemptions for DoD-certified Family Child Care homes. This is a common-sense measure that removes duplicative state bureaucracy for providers who already meet rigorous DoD standards, making it easier for them to open and operate—directly increasing the number of available childcare spots for our families. To date, our DSLO team has helped enact over 1,200 bills. This is boots-on-the-ground work that is vital to our mission. Every barrier they break down at the state level removes a distraction for a warfighter, creates a more stable home front, and builds a more resilient and lethal force. Big shout out to Sarah Stein and her small but mighty team that are constantly delivering results!!!