Policy Pathways

Identify Policy

Initially, a need for government action is identified through a variety of pathways, such as a crisis, newly emergent information from research or program evaluations, reprioritization of values and beliefs, collective action of interest groups, media coverage of an issue, and/or political changes. Policy actors, both inside and outside of the government, help set the agenda through advocacy and political engagement. Scientists and engineers can help set the agenda by providing useful research results, advising policy actors, engaging the public, or through direct advocacy.