Building on the success of our State of the Region reports, we aim to make the evidence we produce even more relevant to policy makers' needs.
We also aim to strengthen the way in which that evidence is used to inform policy.
In 2008, we changed the way we report on the state of the West Midlands. Rather than publish a single annual report, we started a series of ‘thematic dialogues.’
What is a thematic dialogue?
Each dialogue starts with a workshop bringing key policy and decision makers together with the researchers and analysts who supply evidence. Experts from across the country present ‘think-pieces’ at the workshops to provide fresh perspective and stimulate debate.
After the workshop, two key individuals—one policy and one research—together lead work to develop the regional evidence base and link it to policy developments. They involve colleagues from across the West Midlands and outside the region throughout the process.
Some dialogues have a limited duration. Others may become long-term arrangements.
Each dialogue results in a report (sometimes more than one). The reports set out the key evidence and how the evidence links to policy. These are discussed at a final workshop, with actions agreed to ensure that the findings bring real benefit.
Current thematic dialogues for 2010
Dialogues currently underway are:
Completed thematic dialogues
We completed five dialogues in 2009:
We've published six thematic reports so far:
Annual synthesis report
We draw the findings from the entire set of dialogues into a short annual synthesis report, which we publish at our Annual Conference. The conference provides another opportunity for the policy and research communities to engage with the debate.
Our vision is ambitious but we believe it will bring long-term benefits to the West Midlands. Together we can make sure that we deliver those benefits. We hope you will help us to do so.
Real lives, real issues
We published our first full State of the Region report, Real lives, Real issues, in 2004. Since then, we've produced three update reports, building on the original 2004 report by providing a greater depth of evidence in different subjects.
The reports played an important role in raising awareness of some key evidence about the region. They have been a success; users value them and find them informative and accessible.
Evidence-based policy
We want to achieve more. The influence of the reports on policies and strategies has been limited. We want to make sure that regional (and local) policies are rooted in evidence—and that the evidence we produce is fit for that purpose. This is what thematic dialogues are all about.
Evidence-based policy can only become a reality if those producing the evidence and those making the policy work together. There needs to be ongoing dialogue between the two groups, not just occasional contact. The State of the Region dialogues process provides exactly that.
Keep up-to-date
You can keep up-to-date on developments for all State of the Region dialogues via: