4.P. Skills building seminar: Enhancing your elevator pitch: persuading a policymaker in less than two minutes

Abstract Public health researchers aim to influence evidence-based policymaking with their scientific evidence. However, they often lack the necessary training or knowledge to effectively communicate with policymakers. Hence, bridging the gap between research and policy remains a significant challenge. For several years, the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) has been organising skills-building seminars to support capacity building, among public health professionals, in translating the research evidence to a format that policymakers understand and consider. While there are various methods of knowledge translation methods, this workshop will prioritise the ability to succinctly present research findings, such as in an elevator pitch. Following the successful and well-attended workshops of the past five, the current workshop will follow up on this series and take forward where the previous editions ended. In this workshop focusing on skills development, we will select several abstracts that have been accepted by the International Scientific Committee as posters. The presenting authors will be invited to contribute to this challenge: Deliver your work and key messages in a concise manner, no more than two minutes. This workshop will be divided into two parts: the first part includes a presentation by an advocacy expert on the policy cycle and tips for an effective elevator pitch, the second part includes a hands-on experience where researchers will present their elevator pitches to policy makers. To find out if the researcher's pitch is compelling, we are organising a small panel of policymakers who will share individual feedback with each presenter. Policymakers will share with the presenter and the audience whether the pitch was persuasive, if they are intrigued, if they remember the key message, and if they wish to learn more about the research conducted by the researcher. Lessons learned at the previous elevator pitch workshops: • Have a clear ask (keep it simple) and show enthusiasm • Appeal to the policymaker's own interests and priorities • Spell out how action will be beneficial for the policymaker • Be aware of upcoming elections • Build a relationship with the assistants of politicians • Consider the ‘policy window’ • Make the comparison with the policy plan • Propose an actionable solution the politician should undertake • Identify the relevant stakeholders and groups affected by the problem. Key messages • Researchers should be equipped with the necessary knowledge and training to effectively communicate public health messages to policymakers and promote evidence-informed policy making. • A a good ‘elevator pitch’ is a valuable skill that will help public health researchers translate their findings into actionable policy solutions.