Policy Engagement Training
Tome Sandevski
Tome Sandevski
© DAM/Helmholtz SynCom
Training for scientists and knowledge exchange officers
Workshop topics
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Roles of scientists in policy engagement
Knowledge provider, critical friend or honest broker?
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Understanding policy-making
What scientific knowledge do policy-makers need?
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Overview on policy engagement formats
Written and interactive formats like policy briefs or face-to-face meetings
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Learning from cases of policy engagement
How do scientists and policy-makers reflect upon their experience regarding policy engagement?
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Careers in public policy
How can a scientific degree qualify for careers in public policy?

Training for scientists and knowledge exchange officers
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who are the workshops for?
The workshops are designed for researchers at all career stages, knowledge exchange officers, and other staff working in communication, research management, or related areas.
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What types of workshops are available?
My portfolio includes flexibly designed workshops, ranging from one-hour sessions to two-day events, as well as virtual workshops and face-to-face events, offered in German or English. My workshops can be stand-alone events or part of conferences.
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Which workhop is the right one for me?
Please get in touch with me via info(@)policy-engagement.de. I will come back to you soon.
About me
I work at Goethe-University Frankfurt, where I have been coordinating the policy dialogue projects of the Rhine-Main Universities Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Mainz. I plan and organise meetings and policy events for mid-level and senior policy-making professionals from regional and national ministries in Germany, the European Commission, and international organisations in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main area, Berlin, and Brussels.
I also worked in policy engagement roles at the universities of Duisburg-Essen and Friedrichshafen, as well as in think tanks. What have I learned working at the science-policy interface over the past 25 years?
- We tend to speak of scientists and policy-makers. However, both are very diverse groups; both sides must understand the logic of reasoning of their counterparts. Both sides should communicate their expectations and provide honest feedback.
- As someone who has been working for universities for the past 17 years, I understand that scientists do not have much time. The same applies to policy-makers. Informing about a wide range of policy engagement formats while considering the time constraints of both scientists and policy-makers is a key feature of my workshops.
- Learning by doing! The perfect policy engagement format does not exist. Workshops, handbooks, and toolkits are important, but they cannot substitute for practical experience. I therefore encourage the participants of my workshops to take the first step earlier rather than later.
Contact me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Additional Information
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LinkedIn
My detailed CV is available on LinkedIn. I regularly share information regarding events, publications, calls for application, and other useful resources on LinkedIn. If you understand German, please join the “Wissenschaftliche Politikberatung/Policy Engagement in Deutschland”!
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Policy Engagement Toolkit
I am currently working on virtual policy engagement toolkit in cooperation with partners from various EU countries, which will provide many how-to guides and examples of policy engagement across Europe. The toolkit is part of the project Enhancing Institutional Capacities and Researchers’ Competencies for Policy Engagement for Green and Digital Transitions (ENGAGEgreen). The toolkit will be go online in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!
Please find a selection of my planned or conducted workshops
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Evidence-Based Advice, Societal Impact: Policy Recommendations in Times of Crisis (Wissenschaftlich beraten, gesellschaftlich wirken: Handlungsempfehlungen für die Politik in Krisenzeiten)
Date, Place: 10 December 2026, Leibzig
German Science Communication Convention (Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation); workshop co-facilitated with Julia Hahn and Sira Groscurth -
From Evidence to Policy Recommendations: Engaging with Policymakers (Wie komme ich von der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnis zu guten Handlungsempfehlungen? Wie gestalte ich den Dialog mit Politik und Verwaltung?)
Date, Place: 26-27 November 2026, Haus am Dom in Frankfurt
Research Institute Social Cohesion (FGZ) and Goethe University Frankfurt -
Getting Started with Science for Policy (Einstieg in die wissenschaftliche Politikberatung)
Date, Place: 19 November 2026, Webinar
Citizens’ University Office (Stabsstelle Bürgeruniversität), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf -
Engaging Effectively with Policymakers. Introduction to Science Advice. A Workshop for Professors.
Date, Place: 13 November 2026, Koblenz
Koblenz University -
Introduction to Science-Policy Engagement for Postdoctoral Researchers
Date: 10 November 2026, Heidelberg
Baden-Württemberg Foundation -
Between Evidence and Controversy: How Can Researchers Navigate Policy Advice?
Date: 22 October 2026, Zürich
ETH Zürich -
Between Evidence and Controversy: How Can Researchers Navigate Policy Advice?
Date: 22 October 2026, Zürich
ETH Zürich -
Engaging with Policy: Competencies for Scholars at Risk Practitioners (Zwischen Wissenschaft, Politik und Verwaltung. Handlungskompetenzen für Scholars-at-Risk-Programme)
Date: 30 September 2026, Berlin
Technical University Berlin -
Introduction to Science for Policy (Einführung in die wissenschaftliche Politikberatung)
Date: 24 September 2026, Webinar
German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) and Centre for Science and Research Management (ZWM) -
Engaging Effectively with Policymakers. Knowledge and Skills for Research Managers (Den Austausch mit Politik und Verwaltung wirkungsvoll gestalten: Wissens- und Kompetenzaufbau für Wissenschaftsmanager:innen)
Date: 02 July 2026, 02 September 2026, Webinar
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) -
Science Advice: How to Communicate with Policymakers in Parliaments and Ministries? (Wissenschaftliche Politikberatung: Wie lässt sich der Dialog zwischen Forschung, Parlamenten und Ministerien erfolgreich gestalten?)
Date: 26 June 2026, Webinar
Scientific Continuing Education, TU Berlin. -
Psychological Research in Policymaking: Audiences, Engagement Formats and Researcher Roles (Psychologische Forschung in politischen Gestaltungsprozessen. Zielgruppen, Transferformate und Rollenverständnisse)
Date, Place: 22 June 2026, Mainz
Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz and Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research -
From Research to Academic Policy Engagement: A Guide to Exchanging Knowledge with Policymakers in Parliaments, Ministries, and EU-Institutions
Date, Place: 29 May 2026, Webinar
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe-Universität Frankfurt -
Bridging Research and Policy on Demographic Ageing in Southeastern Europe
Date, Place: 22 May 2026, Graz
Transforming Anxieties of Ageing in Southeastern Europe (international project funded by the Volkswagen-Foundation) -
Beyond the Lab: Equipping Pandemic Preparedness Researchers for Policy Dialogue
Date, Place: 20 May 2026, Berlin, Leibniz Lab Pandemic Preparedness -
Science Meets Policy
Date, Place: 08 May 2026, Webinar
Research Institute Social Cohesion and Goethe-University Frankfurt -
From Academic Research to Policy Impact: Navigating the Science-Policy Interface
Date, Place: 13 April 2026, Webinar
German Postdoc Network -
Science meets Policy
Date, Place: 23 January 2026, Darmstadt
Science Communication Centre, Technical University Darmstadt -
Writing Effective Policy Briefs – With and Without ChatGPT
Date, Place: 03 December 2025, Stuttgart
Science Communication Conference -
Instrumente des Wissenstransfers in Politik und Verwaltung (Instruments of Policy Engagement)
Date, Place: 27 November 2025, Webinar
Cologne University -
Wissenschaft wirksam kommunizieren: Capacity Building für den Science-Policy Dialog (Effective communication with policymakers)
Date, Place: 20 -21 November 2025, Berlin
Helmholtz Energy Office -
Einführung in die Politikberatung für Professorinnen und Professoren (Introduction to Science Advice)
Dates: 23 September 2025, 30 September 2025, Webinar
Partner: Hessian Network for Science Communication -
Wie kommunizieren im politischen Raum? – Workshop für Meeres- und Umwelt-Forschende zum Kompetenzaufbau für den Science-Policy Dialog (How to communicate your expertise to policy-makers? Workshop for scientists working on marine issues and the environment)
Date, Place: 26-27 June 2025, Berlin
Helmholtz Earth and Environment and German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) -
Wissenschaftliche Politikberatung: Wie lässt sich der Dialog zwischen Forschung, Parlamenten und Ministerien erfolgreich gestalten? (Science Advice: How to communicate with policymakers in parliaments and ministries)
Date: 20 Jun 2025, Webinar
Scientific Continuing Education, TU Berlin. -
From Research to Policy Engagement: An Overview on Policy Engagement Formats for Scientists and Science Managers
Date, Place: 20 Mai 2025, Mainz
Mainz Science Alliance. -
Forschungs- und TransfermanagerInnen zwischen Wissenschaft und Politik/Verwaltung (Workshop for research managers and knowledge transfer officers)
Date, Place: 14 March 2025, Regensburg
Forschungs- und Transfermanagement e.V. (FORTRAMA) Jahrestagung (Annual convention of the association for research and transfermanagement) -
Aus der Wissenschaft zu Ministerien/Behörden, Medien oder NGOs? Dialog mit PraxisvertreterInnen zu Karrierechancen und -wegen (Workshop on careers paths in policy-making institutions)
Date, Place: 31 January 2025, Frankfurt
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe University Frankfurt. -
Wie kommunizieren im politischen Raum? – Workshop für Meeres- und Umwelt-Forschende zum Kompetenzaufbau für den Science-Policy Dialog (Workshop for scientists working on marine issues and the environment)
Date, Place: 29-30 January 2025, Berlin
Helmholtz Earth and Envirnment and German Marine Research: The workshop report is available here. -
Das Policy Engagement Toolkit: Instrumente und Strukturen des Transfers wissenschaftlicher (Instruments and structures of Policy Engagement)
Erkenntnisse in Politik und VerwaltungDate, Place: 28 November 2024, Frankfurt.
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe University Frankfurt.
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Aus der Wissenschaft zu Ministerien/Behörden, Medien oder NGOs? Dialog mit PraxisvertreterInnen zu Karrierechancen und -wegen (Workshop on career paths in policymaking institutions)
Date, Place: 19 January 2024, Frankfurt
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe University Frankfurt -
Das Science-Advice Toolkit: Instrumente und Strukturen des Transfers wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse in Politik und Verwaltung (Workshop on instruments and structures of science advice)
Date, Place: 03. March 2023, webinar
Zentrum für Qualitätssicherung und -entwicklung der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (Center for Quality Assurance and Development at Mainz University) -
The Science-Advice Toolkit: A Guide on Instruments and Structures of Policy Engagement for Researchers
Date, Place: 28 October 2022, Frankfurt
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe University Frankfurt -
Von der Erkenntnis zum Handeln? Karriereperspektiven für Promovierende und Postdocs in Ministerien/Behörden, Medien und NGOs (Workshop on policy engagement and career paths in policy-making institutions)
Date, Place: 11 November 2021, Frankfurt
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe University Frankfurt -
Miteinander reden oder aneinander vorbei? Chancen und Herausforderungen aus der Praxis der Wissenschaftskommunikation (Workshop on policy engagements and career paths in policy-making institutions)
Date, Place: 31 January 2020, Frankfurt
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe University Frankfurt -
Science-Policy Meets Early Career Researchers
Date, Place: 31 January 2019, Frankfurt
Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), Goethe-University Frankfurt
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Instrumente des Wissenstransfers in Politik und Verwaltung (Instruments of Policy Engagement)
Date, Place: 27 November 2025, Webinar
Partner: Cologne University -
Wissenschaft wirksam kommunizieren: Capacity Building für den Science-Policy Dialog (Effective communication with policymakers)
Date, Place: 20 -21 November 2025, Berlin
Partner: Helmholtz Energy Office -
Einführung in die Politikberatung für Professorinnen und Professoren (Introduction to Science Advice)
Dates: 23 September 2025, 30 September 2025, Webinar
Partner: Hessian Network for Science Communication -
Wie kommunizieren im politischen Raum? – Workshop für Meeres- und Umwelt-Forschende zum Kompetenzaufbau für den Science-Policy Dialog (How to communicate your expertise to policy-makers? Workshop for scientists working on marine issues and the environment)
Date, Place: 26-27 June 2025, Berlin
Partner: Helmholtz Earth and Environment and German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) -
Wissenschaftliche Politikberatung: Wie lässt sich der Dialog zwischen Forschung, Parlamenten und Ministerien erfolgreich gestalten? (Science Advice: How to communicate with policymakers in parliaments and ministries)
Date: 20 Jun 2025, Webinar
Partner: Scientific Continuing Education, TU Berlin. -
From Research to Policy Engagement: An Overview on Policy Engagement Formats for Scientists and Science Managers
Date, Place: 20 Mai 2025, Mainz
Partner: Mainz Science Alliance. -
Forschungs- und TransfermanagerInnen zwischen Wissenschaft und Politik/Verwaltung (Workshop for research managers and knowledge transfer officers)
Date, Place: 14 March 2025, Regensburg
Partner: Forschungs- und Transfermanagement e.V. (FORTRAMA) Jahrestagung (Annual convention of the association for research and transfermanagement) -
Aus der Wissenschaft zu Ministerien/Behörden, Medien oder NGOs? Dialog mit PraxisvertreterInnen zu Karrierechancen und -wegen (Workshop on careers paths in policy-making institutions)
Date, Place: 31 January 2025, Frankfurt
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) -
Wie kommunizieren im politischen Raum? – Workshop für Meeres- und Umwelt-Forschende zum Kompetenzaufbau für den Science-Policy Dialog (Workshop for scientists working on marine issues and the environment)
Date, Place: 29-30 January 2025, Berlin
Partner: Helmholtz Earth and Envirnment and German Marine Research: The workshop report is available here. -
Das Policy Engagement Toolkit: Instrumente und Strukturen des Transfers wissenschaftlicher (Instruments and structures of Policy Engagement)
Erkenntnisse in Politik und VerwaltungDate, Place: 28 November 2024, Frankfurt.
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE)
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Aus der Wissenschaft zu Ministerien/Behörden, Medien oder NGOs? Dialog mit PraxisvertreterInnen zu Karrierechancen und -wegen (Workshop on career paths in policymaking institutions)
Date, Place: 19 January 2024, Frankfurt
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) -
Das Science-Advice Toolkit: Instrumente und Strukturen des Transfers wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse in Politik und Verwaltung (Workshop on instruments and structures of science advice)
Date, Place: 03. March 2023, webinar
Partner: Zentrum für Qualitätssicherung und -entwicklung der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (Center for Quality Assurance and Development at Mainz University) -
The Science-Advice Toolkit: A Guide on Instruments and Structures of Policy Engagement for Researchers
Date, Place: 28 October 2022, Frankfurt
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) -
Von der Erkenntnis zum Handeln? Karriereperspektiven für Promovierende und Postdocs in Ministerien/Behörden, Medien und NGOs (Workshop on policy engagement and career paths in policy-making institutions)
Date, Place: 11 November 2021, Frankfurt
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) -
Miteinander reden oder aneinander vorbei? Chancen und Herausforderungen aus der Praxis der Wissenschaftskommunikation (Workshop on policy engagements and career paths in policy-making institutions)
Date, Place: 31 January 2020, Frankfurt
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) -
Title: Science-Policy Meets Early Career Researchers
Date, Place: 31 January 2019, Frankfurt
Partner: Goethe-Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE)
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Tome Sandevski (Bettinastr. 50, 63067 Offenbach, Germany);
Contact Email: info@policy-engagement.de
Person responsible for editorial content pursuant to Section 18 (2) of the German State Media Treaty (Medienstaatsvertrag – MStV)
Tome Sandevski (Address as above)
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