The evidence-policy-interface is a two-way street: policymakers and researchers both benefit from sharing insights about the problems that governments face and how they seek solutions. Yet, too often, the response is one-way activity. This article argues that elite interviewing has become logistically easier but politically harder when elites are disincentivised to share perspectives with outsiders.

This report explores how governments can overcome barriers to deliver high-quality impact evaluations to contribute to policy development. It sets out the main evaluation methods available, ranging from randomised trials to quasi-experimental approaches, and highlights the conditions under which each can be applied.

This evaluation tested whether an extra email reminder could improve timely charity reporting. Involving 15,000 charities, the trial showed that sending a direct reminder to someone responsible increased on-time submissions from 56% to 62%. The approach worked across all charity types, proving simple nudges can boost compliance.

Decision-makers in government are no strangers to crises and time pressure. This article explores how to improve the quality and take up of evidence when decision-makers are working at speed.