Publishing to reach policymakers: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collections
Author: Siobhan Bates
Dr Megha Rao and her co-authors wanted to publish their research on health resource allocation in Malawi where it will reach the very people who could implement their findings and suggestions. So she chose to publish it in a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collection, for maximum visibility and real-world impact. Read on to hear from Rao about her experience publishing in the Collection, and subsequent inquiries from policy makers about adapting and implementing her work across Africa.
is motived by the need to find sustainable solutions for global healthcare. As a research fellow at the University of York’s and contributor to the , Rao tackles one of the most pressing challenges facing African healthcare systems today: How to sustain health improvements when resources are limited and donor funding is uncertain.
In a review article examining health resource allocation in Malawi, Rao and her co-authors worked closely with in-country institutions and stakeholders to highlight how research findings can inform policy and practice.
Publishing this article to the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collection ensured the work was accessible to collaborators and decision makers wherever they might be located.
We spoke to her to find out more about the work and the value of publishing to a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collection.
Can you give us an overview of your research?
We demonstrate how evidence-based decision making can help countries maximise the health impact of every dollar spent, ultimately creating more sustainable and effective health systems that better serve their populations.
We focus on the experience of Malawi, which — through its collaboration with the Thanzi Programme — has developed an innovative set of tools and frameworks to support health resource allocation, especially in designing health benefits packages that deliver real impact. These tools have informed national policy, contributing directly to Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan III (2023–2030) and Health Sector Financing Strategy (2023).
The tools and frameworks address five critical questions that every health decision-maker faces: what interventions to prioritise, how to allocate resources geographically, how to invest in health system inputs, how to ensure equity in access, and how to guide evidence generation for better policymaking. Designed to be flexible and context-sensitive, these can be adapted across diverse health systems in the region.
Why did you choose to publish your research in this Collection?
We chose this specific Collection because it was a perfect match for our research's core message. It wasn't just about reaching the right audience; it was about placing our research in direct conversation with the leading experts and policymakers focused on this exact challenge.
We knew the readers of this Collection would be the very people best equipped to critique, adapt, and implement these tools in practice.
Why did you choose to publish open access?
For this work, open access was non-negotiable. This research was co-developed from the start with our colleagues in Malawi. It would be completely counterproductive if my closest collaborators — who have been instrumental in building this research — hit a paywall.
Open access ensures that a policymaker in Lilongwe or a PhD student in Delhi has the exact same immediate access as I do here in York. It’s a practical requirement for equitable partnership and accelerating real-world impact.
How did you hear about the Collection?
The journal reached out directly about the call for papers. It was perfect timing: We were finalising our manuscript and looking for an appropriate journal, so this opportunity was exactly what we needed. The Collection's focus aligned perfectly with our research, making it an ideal fit.
How do you think publishing to the Collection has impacted your research so far?
Publishing in the Collection has given this research much greater visibility, specifically because it showcases the real-world application in Malawi. This has acted as a powerful proof-of-concept.
The main result is that we've had tangible interest from researchers and health ministries in several other African countries. These aren't just academic inquiries; they are concrete conversations about how to adapt and implement these tools to fit their national contexts, which is exactly the outcome we hoped for.
Thinking about your career as an early career researcher (ECR), what kind of impact has publishing in this Collection had on it?
While the full impact on my career is something that will unfold over time, publishing in this Collection has been a crucial, foundational step.
For an ECR, the immediate value comes from the credibility it provides. Being included in a curated Collection by established editors acts as a 'stamp of approval' and effectively positions my work within the most relevant community of experts and policymakers.
It’s less about immediate metrics and more about building a reputation as a specialist in health resource allocation in Africa, which is the necessary groundwork for future collaborations.
Do you have any advice for other ECRs thinking of publishing to a Collection with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø?
My advice is to think strategically about fit. Don't just look for a high-impact journal; look for a Collection that tells a story your research can contribute to.
Being part of a curated Collection amplifies your message and places your work in context. For an ECR, this is invaluable.
Moreover, the visibility you get from strong indexing and a respected publisher like Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø isn't a vanity metric: it directly leads to the citations and collaboration opportunities that are essential for building a sustainable academic career.
Would you publish in a Collection again, and why?
Absolutely. As I said, Collections offer an excellent opportunity to ensure one’s research contributes directly to a specific, impactful conversation, reaching the very people who can act on it. It’s about getting the work in front of the right audience, not just the biggest one.
About the Author
Dr. Megha Rao is a Research Fellow for the Thanzi Labwino (Better Health) project and is part of Global Health. She holds an MSc in Economics from the University of Warwick and a BA in Economics from Stella Maris College (Chennai, India). She has more than five years of research experience, primarily focusing on health system governance and financing for efficient and effective healthcare delivery. Visit Dr Rao’s to view all her published works.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collections are curated groups of articles that support researchers by providing highly focused explorations of specific themes and trending topics. Collections cover all areas and aim to enhance the visibility and impact of research.
Read more research success stories and find out how publishing to a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collection can help you achieve your career goals at: www.springernature.com/collections
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Author: Siobhan Bates
Siobhan Bates is a seasoned Marketing Manager based in London, specializing in B2C Content Marketing. With a Master’s degree from The University of Warwick and Chartered Marketer status (CIM), she is passionate about developing valuable resources that support and empower the academic community. Siobhan oversees the creation of content for Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Collections, brands, and imprints.
