Connecting government officials and behavioral scientists to promote evidence-based decision-making: An interview with Bill de Blasio

Abstract

Supporting evidence-based management and policy decisions by government officials is a key objective for behavioral scientists. Yet researchers often face formidable barriers to developing effective working relationships with government officials. In an interview, former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio argues that researchers can overcome these challenges by making a commitment to building long-term relationships and, critically, trust with government officials. Doing so requires persistence, especially because efforts to connect with officials often fail—at least at the outset. Researchers also can develop skills for communicating more effectively with officials, who are neither specialists in policy domains nor experts in research methods. He suggests highlighting core messages from complex data and beginning communication of those messages with straightforward solutions to problems; only after those proposals are under consideration should issues related to their complexities be raised. Last, de Blasio suggests that the best way for researchers to develop trusting relationships with government officials, as well as a deeper appreciation of the challenges they face, may be to devote time to government service in posts that embed them in decision-makers’ daily work. He illustrates his points with lessons from the successful adoption and implementation of policies and programs in New York City, including those that aimed to provide free prekindergarten education (Pre-K for All), respond to the COVID pandemic, reduce traffic accidents and fatalities (Vision Zero), and prevent overdose deaths through the use of supervised drug-consumption sites.