Public affairs research provides important insights into issues that impact all of us—from urban planning and design to environmental policy and human services. Typically, this research is published in academic journals that are not accessible to people outside of academia. When important policy research is not seen by practitioners, policymakers, and the broader public, we lose the opportunity to inform policy decisions with researched-based information. Civios aims to change that.

An initiative of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Civios offers short and visually engaging digital materials to inform public affairs discussions. These materials translate policy-relevant scholarly research for policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public.

Taking research one step further

In today's digital age, important research often fails to reach its target audiences in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. To address this problem, Civios includes a strategic communication plan to disseminate each research-based "product" developed—whether it is a podcast, mixed media material, or case study—to relevant audiences. Not only does this make Civios a gateway for the research, but it becomes a vehicle for sharing the research far and wide. This targeted distribution produces what we call knowledge networks—or "hubs of influence"—that are most effective for communicating public affairs research in the digital age.