An advanced initiative called the Research Activist Attachment Scheme (RAAS) was launched in Singapore with the goal of bridging the gap between research and policy-making. It presents an exceptional chance for people to develop practical research and advocacy experience, with the ultimate objective of promoting evidence-based decision-making across multiple sectors.
Researchers, scholars, and professionals have the chance to join governmental agencies, nonprofit institutions, or policy research institutes under the RAAS. Participants interact directly with policymakers during their attachment, conducting research, analyzing data, and making recommendations based on the available evidence. Through this partnership, researchers are capable of grasping the practical difficulties faced by policymakers, and vice versa.
Image Credit: https://www.a-star.edu.sg/imre/arap_with_imre
Enhancing the translation of research findings into practical policy suggestions is one of the RAAS’s main goals. Participants have the chance to directly influence policy discussions and decision-making processes through their attachments. Participants contribute to ensuring that policies are evidence-based and successfully meet societal demands and concerns by offering policymakers the most recent research insights.
The RAAS offers participants a deep insight into the political climate and the legislative process, which is another advantage. Participants acquire first-hand experience negotiating the challenges of policy design, implementation, and evaluation by becoming fully immersed in the policy world. They get the chance to work together with decision-makers, comprehend their viewpoints, and offer their skills to help produce better policies.
The RAAS also promotes interdisciplinary cooperation by bringing together academics and decision-makers from many disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach encourages creative ideas and allows for a broader view of difficult societal problems. Participants who collaborate across disciplines can access a wide range of knowledge and perspectives, resulting in recommendations for policies that are more thorough and nuanced.
The RAAS helps Singaporean society become more research-informed. Participants actively participate in information sharing and outreach through their attachments, such as workshops, seminars, and policy briefings. With stakeholders, such as policymakers, researchers, and the general public, they communicate their new findings and policy recommendations. The RAAS works to build an educated public that actively participates in policy conversations and choices by fostering research communication and public engagement.
Image Credit: https://theconversation.com/new-data-sharing-requirements-from-the-national-institutes-of-health-are-a-big-step-toward-more-open-science-and-potentially-higher-quality-research-178869
The RAAS also provides a platform for the development of networks and partnerships between researchers, decision-makers, and other stakeholders. Participants have the chance to form relationships and partnerships that last past their attachment period. These networks can support continuous partnerships, knowledge exchange, and group initiatives to tackle difficult societal problems.
