A policy brief is a research communication tool that addresses specific policy issues. It targets an informed, non-specialised audience, e.g., policy makers who do not conduct research themselves. The language used in a policy brief is therefore simple, clear, and avoids academic jargon.

The content is concise and condensed in a short document that outlines a pressing issue, synthesizes key research findings related to it, and presents policy recommendations derived from the analysis. Policy briefs do not usually exceed four pages, so they focus on particular aspects of the issue considered.

The purpose of a policy brief is to get the audience interested in the document’s analysis and recommendations.