Given the diversity and complexity of policy communities and processes, it is unsurprising that there are a number of widely recognized challenges for advocates in striving to bring research into action. We have also added two challenges that seem to be particular to transition countries. Together, they are the following:
- The different world views of academics/researchers and policymakers
- Unethical client expectations for policy-based evidence
- The role of researcher as advocate
- The problem of taking credit for policy influence
- The current domination of power over knowledge in many transition countries
- The current imbalance of supply and demand for policy research in the transition context
These issues are continually challenging for fledgling and even established researchers and organizations.