Evidence, Policy and Impact

Scientific evidence plays a crucial role in shaping effective education policies. However, bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice remains a challenge. The Swiss Evidence in Education Lab (Swiss EdLab), a joint initiative of the Jacobs Foundation and the Jacobs Center, and the EU LEARN EdLab of the EU Horizon Project LEARN (Longitudinal Educational Achievements: Reducing Inequalities) work together to make educational research more accessible and impactful for policymakers, education authorities, and the education community.

These two initiatives, embedded in the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development (JCPYD) at the University of Zurich, are committed to enhancing evidence literacy, fostering collaboration between research and policy, and promoting evidence-informed decision-making.

Translating Research into Policy in Switzerland

The Swiss EdLab serves as a national platform in Switzerland for translating and disseminating scientific evidence in education and developmental science to advance quality learning opportunities for each child to thrive. It connects researchers, policymakers, and education experts to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest research insights.

The Swiss EdLab focuses on:

• Evidence Capacity Building: Creating a platform where educational research is translated, visualized, and made accessible to education authorities, policymakers, researchers and the expert community. The Swiss EdLab also provides a collaborative space where experts, researchers, and alumni from the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Evidence-Based Education Policy can engage in co-developing evidence-based solutions.
• Evidence to Policy Facilitation: Organizing events that bring together researchers, policymakers, and the expert community to identify evidence gaps, align research with real world challenges, and provide timely, context-specific insights for decision-making.
• Bridging Supply and Demand for Evidence: Strengthening the connection between evidence production and its application in policy and practice, integrating Swiss evidence into broader European education research efforts, and supporting applied research initiatives.

By fostering evidence evaluation skills, promoting two-way communication with policymakers, and encouraging stakeholder collaboration, the Swiss EdLab aims to drive sustainable improvements in the Swiss education system.

Swiss EdLab: Translating Research into Policy in Switzerland

A European Network for Educational Evidence and Impact

The EU LEARN EdLab is the international counterpart of the Swiss EdLab, operating within a network of 12 leading European research institutions under the EU Horizon Project LEARN. This initiative is designed to address educational inequalities across Europe by facilitating knowledge exchange, conducting and mapping longitudinal research, and developing policy-relevant tools for improving learning outcomes.

The LEARN EdLab works towards:

• Developing an international evidence ecosystem that connects researchers and policymakers across Europe.
• Conducting comparative research and mapping existing evidence on educational trajectories and inequalities.
• Providing a platform for cross-national collaboration on evidence-based education policy design.

By aligning Swiss EdLab’s domestic efforts with the broader goals of the EU LEARN EdLab, these initiatives contribute to a global movement for evidence-based education reform. Through research translation, policy engagement, and knowledge-sharing, they support decision-makers in creating equitable, data-driven education policies that contribute to creating high-quality learning opportunities for all children and learners.

EU LEARN EdLab: Evidence in Education Lab of the EU Horizon Project LEARN