Reflections from Two Graduate Students: An Interview with Alex Wheatley Class of 2016 and Nathan Eckstein Class of 2016 (Part 2)
In an interview featured in the section "Plans After Graduation" and part of the series "Graduate Student Reflections", Alex Wheatley '16 20 and Nathan Eckstein '16 20, graduates of the SINSI Graduate Program, discussed the role of research in different settings, including academia and public service.
Wheatley, who spent her second rotation at Health and Human Services' Office of Global Affairs, Asia-Pacific Office, worked on a health policy project that reviews and evaluates US engagement in the health systems of the Freely Associated States in the Pacific. She expressed the difficulty in identifying and collecting data for research in public service, and the challenge in reaching consensus on the right course of action even with great data.
Eckstein, on the other hand, worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, in Western Hemisphere Affairs. He synthesized and summarized good research, but not academic research, using open-source data such as news, public opinion polling, or social media. He discussed the disconnect between the realm of academia and the realm of public service, and the incorporation of traditional research from think tanks, academia, or internal studies in public service work.
Both Wheatley and Eckstein highlighted the disconnect between academic research and policy making, suggesting that research conducted in the academic world is not always incorporated into actual policy. To make academic research more accessible and applicable in public service work, they proposed several strategies.
Engaging diverse stakeholders, including non-governmental actors, early and throughout the research and implementation process is crucial. This approach improves the relevance and uptake of evidence in policy and service delivery, leading to stronger systems change outcomes. Building explicit implementation infrastructure within public service organizations, such as dedicated knowledge mobilization roles, structured co-leadership, formal planning processes, and embedding continuous learning cycles, also supports ongoing collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Leveraging intermediaries or 'knowledge brokers' skilled in managing collaborations to bridge gaps between research producers and service implementers is another effective strategy. These intermediaries facilitate shared ownership and practical use of evidence-informed innovations, mitigating power imbalances and aligning perspectives from different sectors. Incorporating both intrinsic motivation factors (e.g., professional values) and extrinsic incentives (e.g., performance-related pay) within human resource practices is also important, as it supports public servants’ engagement with research and innovation.
These strategies rely on interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches combining rigorous research, stakeholder involvement, implementation science, and organizational change frameworks. Building relational, adaptive systems within public service entities fosters continuous feedback loops, local adaptations, and sustained evidence-informed change, making academic research not only accessible but directly applicable and impactful in public service contexts.
The interview was conducted by Emma Kaeser, the Social Sciences Correspondent. The SINSI Graduate Program, a scholarship program designed to prepare students for careers in the U.S. government, includes the fellowship component where students work in executive branch departments or agencies for two years. The series also includes interviews with Hadiya Jones and Nathan Li.
This discussion provides valuable take-aways for researchers looking to make their work more relevant to policy making. Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student researcher, these insights can help you bridge the gap between academia and public service, ensuring your research is not only conducted but also implemented and impactful.
- To ensure personal growth and mindfulness in the realm of education-and-self-development, researchers can focus on making their academic work more applicable and impactful in public service contexts, such as engaging diverse stakeholders, building implementation infrastructure within public service organizations, and leveraging knowledge brokers to bridge the gap between research producers and service implementers.
- As part of ongoing efforts towards online-education and learning, students can take advantage of the insights provided by graduates of the SINSI Graduate Program, who have highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches in making academic research directly applicable and impactful in public service work.
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