Division 15 Policy Briefs synthesize existing educational psychology research that address policy issues of importance. These briefs use language and content that are accessible to policymakers and the general public. Division 15 will accept policy brief proposals once a year via an open call process.
Policy Brief Proposal Process: What to Submit
Potential authors should submit a two-page summary of their policy brief idea (references should be included at the end and are not included in page count). The first page includes a summary of the potential brief itself. The topic must be centered on an education policy issue that can be informed by educational psychology research. Briefs can be a synthesis of research on a given topic or a report on a substantive data set/research project. All brief proposals should include the following:
- a brief description of the topic and problem being addressed;
- a comment on the theoretical significance in educational psychology and education policy (if relevant to the scope of the brief);
- empirical basis for the problem addressed in the brief including a comment on the relationship to research and theories in educational psychology and educational policy, along with other allied fields;
- details on the data, design, results, and interpretation (if relevant);
- at least one example of a policy recommendation that follows from the information.
On the second page, potential authors submit the following:
- Description of target audience—to whom is the policy brief aimed?
- List of potential dissemination outlets—what recommendations do the author have for dissemination once completed?
- List of 2-3 potential expert reviewers—who are 2-3 experts who could provide feedback and review of brief?
On the third page are the references. Authors should include all relevant references that support the brief even if not directly listed in the proposal (i.e., include references that are used to support proposal topic).
Policy Brief Review Process
- Members of the Policy Committee will review submissions to identify which brief will move forward. Brief proposals will be vetted for (a) timeliness and/or relevancy of topic, (b) perceived impact and reach, and (c) relevance to policy and educational psychology.
- Once selected, authors have up to 6 weeks to draft the full policy brief.
- Once submitted, the draft brief will be sent out to two reviewers for review and feedback. Reviewers will have the option to submit their review blinded or unblinded.
- The Policy Committee Chair will integrate experts’ reviews with committee member feedback and share with author. Authors have 4 weeks to turn in the next version of the brief having integrated or at least addressed all the feedback received.
- Authors will meet with Policy Committee members (virtually) to discuss any emerging issues or notes on the brief (if necessary).
- Once deemed final, the brief will be submitted to our communications Director (Wade George) for formatting.
- Once formatted, the brief will be sent back out to members of the Policy Committee as well as 1-2 policy persons (TBD) for feedback on design, readability, etc.
- The policy brief will be finalized accordingly and subsequently disseminated widely. The brief will be posted on the Division 15 website.
Tentative Policy Brief Timeline 2020
February, 2020—Open call soliciting Policy Briefs is released
March 26, 2020—Webinar on how to write Policy Briefs is held.
April 30—Deadline for policy brief proposals
June 1—1-2 briefs selected, and authors notified
July 15—First draft of brief due to Policy Committee
July 15 – August 1—Briefs reviewed by experts and relevant committee members
August 1—Reviews shared with authors
September 1—Final version of brief due to Policy Committee
September, 2020—Brief finalized and formatted
An additional resource for writing these brief proposals may be found here.
Please submit proposals to Policy Committee Chair, Dr. Sharon Nichols ([email protected]) by no later than April 30, 2020. Questions may be sent to Dr. Nichols at the same address.