How do policymakers differ from other readers? How can I convey complex ideas to them with clarity and concision, and structure what I write in the most logical, coherent, and compelling way?

To help researchers and others tackle these questions, the Policy Engagement Team is offering two in-person workshops, led by Delia Lloyd, a communications expert with over 25 years’ experience as writer, editor, and coach, formerly a senior adviser at the US Treasury Department, and prior to that head of policy and research insight at BBC Action, in charge of commissioning, editing and disseminating policy and research outputs.

These workshops will enable participants to explore the broad principles underlying persuasive communication: identifying an aim, knowing the audience, and structuring an argument; get to grips with the basics of professional writing, with a focus on clarity and concision; and use what they’ve learned to draft a policy memo.

We’re offering two versions of this workshop – for those who are newer to writing for policy audiences (on 25 July) and this one, for those with more experience. Both will be highly interactive, combing individual, paired, small group and plenary exercises, unfolding unfold over four, 90-minute sessions, with two 15-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon, and a 45-minute lunchbreak.