Research to Action: IPS Director of Research Highlights the Next Step in Influencing Policy at the SoMix Exhibition

“When a social scientist finishes a research project such as SoMix, they might feel a sense of completion. But as the famous French saying goes, ‘the real work starts now’,” noted Dr Nisha Arunatilake, Director of Research at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), delivering the keynote speech at the launch of the Social Sciences Mixed Methods (SoMix) Research Project (SoMix) exhibition currently on display at the Alliance Française de Colombo.

Speaking at the exhibition launch, Dr Arunatilake emphasised, “In public policy, publishing research is merely the end of the beginning. The real work starts when we try to turn that data into laws, navigate political gridlock, and change human lives.”

Highlighting the importance of research dissemination, she noted that the conclusion of a research project marks the start of advocating for its findings. According to Dr Arunatilake, researchers seeking to influence policy effectively must communicate their findings widely, engage the right audiences at the right time, and work collaboratively to ensure that evidence contributes to meaningful change.

The SoMix exhibition forms part of the public cultural programme of the Alliance Française de Colombo, which regularly hosts cultural, artistic, and intellectual events open to the wider public. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of evidence-based research in shaping public policy and underscored the importance of sustained engagement beyond the completion of research projects to maximise their impact on society.