Launch of Key Policy Highlights

Supporting authors sharing scientific research with a non-scientific audience

We understand that it is increasingly important for authors to share the results of their scientific research with policy-makers. And we also know that communicating scientific research to a non-scientific audience comes with its challenges.

To help authors with this, we are launching Key Policy Highlights on selected journals across the Life, Earth & Environmental Sciences.

What are Key Policy Highlights?

Key Policy Highlights (KPH) communicate the significance of scientific research evidence in jargon-free and clear language, to a non-scientific audience. This audience includes policy-makers and professionals in nearby disciplines.

This pilot scheme offers authors (in participating journals) the option to publish a secondary abstract called ‘Key Policy Highlights’, as part of the scientific research paper.

The secondary abstracts should comprise of:

  • 3-5 bullet points

  • Approximately 100-150 words

The KPH should emphasize the main policy implications of the paper for a non-academic audience. This short overview will help authors clearly communicate their scientific research to a non-scientific audience.

Why should I include Key Policy Highlights?

By highlighting the policy relevance of research via Key Policy Highlights, you will:

  • Increase the journal’s readership particularly from a policy audience

  • Facilitate the uptake of original research into decision-making

Remember: check the journal’s Instructions for Authors (IFAs) to find the necessary information, to help you to include this secondary abstract in your manuscript.

Participating Journals

Below is a list of all the journals across the Life, Earth & Environmental Sciences, that are offering authors the option to include Key Policy Highlights.

    Additional resources

    Below are some additional resources to help authors to clearly communicate scientific research to a non-scientific audience.