Policy in practice: Pathways to maximizing microbiologists’ impact in UK policymaking

Abstract Policymaking is increasingly driven by scientific data and evidence. Despite this, few policymakers in the UK have a high degree of scientific literacy. Expert microbiologists have a key role to play in advocating for better outcomes in One Health, biosecurity, and global sustainability by communicating their knowledge to relevant policymakers. Unfortunately, expert microbiologists are approximately as unfamiliar with the UK policymaking process as policymakers are with microbiology. This article outlines the ways in which microbiologists can most effectively influence policy in the UK; who their key interlocutors are; the level of scientific literacy of these interlocutors; and how to best communicate scientific expertise to different key policy stakeholders.