Is part of the purpose of our roles as academics to change society by feeding our knowledge into policy decision making? Increasingly the spotlight might fall on how we are making a measurable difference in society. So how can we engage with stakeholders, and use our knowledge, to inform, shape and/or change policy? Reflecting on his role as Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry of Transport’s Chief Science Advisor, this presentation will consider how we can engage in decision making and the risks of doing it. It will consider the pros and cons of being ‘inside government’ vs the greater freedom, but less direct access to policy makers, of being outside. It was also consider the professional and personal risks of trying to get your voice heard in policy debates.