This paper is a reflection on the process of extended engagement undertaken by the authors in Maynooth University aimed at unlocking the potential of research to inform policy-making in Ireland. It describes and reviews the diverse range of engagement and supporting activities that the authors undertook in Maynooth University and with other universities, government departments and agencies, and other partner organisations.

The programme of work has been and continues to be exploratory in nature and any insights are preliminary and tentative. That said, the extensive record of engagement undertaken, does lend support to three general observations. Firstly, knowledge brokering is a complex social and relational process that linear accounts fail to comprehend. Secondly, because knowledge brokering involves interactions between individual researchers and policymakers, and because many different organisations are involved (including universities, research funders, government departments and agencies), systems thinking can help in understanding and shaping knowledge brokering structures and supports. One final thought is that any productive learning from the engagement described here, was only possible because the various interactions were underpinned by conscious efforts to establish trust, mutual understanding and a respect for diversity of perspectives. Such an inclusive approach may be well worth reflecting on when seeking to formalise and systematise knowledge brokering activity at scale. This work is ongoing at Maynooth University, and together with the Knowledge Brokerage research project that is now underway, promises a more integrated and holistic understanding of knowledge brokering for policy in Ireland.

P.7 Phase II – System supporting work – testing and reviewing what works through pathfinding knowledge brokerage events Ó Foghlú and Boyle have also sought to apply a range of approaches to unlock the potential of research to inform policy-making in Ireland, both involving MU researchers and more broadly. This has included supporting state bodies in organising a range of national knowledge brokerage events since 2022. In many of these activities they have worked with Mary Doyle and Dr Fergal Lynch. Furthermore, seeking to explore approaches to MU researchers collectively impacting on policy, on 17 May 2024, Ó Foghlú and Boyle co-chaired a Roundtable on Addressing On-street Drug Dealing and Drug Use in Dublin’s North East Inner City, organised in partnerships with the North East Inner City Initiative and the Department of the Taoiseach (Dublin North East Inner City, 2024). The roundtable arose from a desire for a fresh perspective on drug dealing and on-street drug taking, expressed by those from the North Inner City Community Coalition for the development of a new strategy for the North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative...