Connecting Two Worlds: enhancing knowledge sharing between academics and policymakers in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Covid-19 pandemic has put the research–policy interface in the spotlight, exposing the synergies and tensions between researchand policy. The complexity of responding to Covid-19 has also highlighted the potential for research to inform responses to other major societal challenges. Researchers are enthusiastic about working with policymakers to ensure that policy is underpinned by robust evidence, while many in government see the importance of strong evidence underpinning policy. However, there are also significant challenges associated with connecting the complex domains of universities and central government.