Aligning the times: Exploring the convergence of researchers, policy makers and research evidence in higher education policy making

Smith, Karen; Fernie, Scott; Pilcher, Nick

Abstract

The complexity of contemporary higher education policy making and the multitude of evidences and actors in policy networks mean that relationships between higher education researchers, policy makers and research evidence are not straightforward. In this article, we use a theoretical lens of time, Adams’ Timescapes, to explore this relationship and better understand why the research and policy worlds are frequently described as divided. Drawing on in-depth interviews with higher education researchers, policy makers and research funders, we show how research and policy have different interpretations of time. We discuss the Timeframes, or lengths, of work and career, the Temporality, or complexity, of ‘evidence’, of networks and relationships, and the importance of elements such as Timing, or synchronisation, and Tempo, or pace. We conclude that policy makers and higher education researchers may be better able to make sense of the problematic nature of aligning their concerns, interests and actions through understanding different Timescapes.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 20, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Apr 26, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Deposit Date: Apr 27, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2020
• Journal: Research in Education
• Print ISSN: 0034-5237
• Electronic ISSN: 2050-4608
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 110
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 38-57
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0034523720920677
• Keywords: Evidence-informed policy, higher education, policy making, research-policy nexus, time
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2656031