U.S. federal regulatory decisions have long relied on insights from economics research, and there is growing potential to deepen collaboration between academic economists and government analysts. Enhancing this relationship can lead to more informed policymaking by identifying critical research gaps and strengthening the analytical tools used within regulatory agencies. A recent review highlights persistent challenges in aligning academic inquiry with real-world regulatory needs, and proposes a framework to bridge these divides. n nEconomists are encouraged to engage with recently published agency “to-do lists” that outline pressing analytical questions. These documents offer researchers clear pathways to contribute evidence-based findings directly relevant to policy. Multiple channels already exist for interaction—such as workshops, fellowships, and public comment periods—and can be further leveraged to ensure research addresses practical regulatory challenges. n nOn the institutional side, agencies are advised to consistently publicize their research priorities, reduce bureaucratic barriers that hinder collaboration, and formally recognize when external studies inform their analyses. Such recognition could serve as an incentive for scholars to focus on policy-relevant topics. Additionally, both parties should maintain ongoing dialogue about emerging methodologies and findings in economics, ensuring that cutting-edge knowledge is integrated into regulatory assessments. n nGiven the foundational role of economic analysis in cost-benefit evaluations and rulemaking, improving coordination between researchers and regulators promises more effective and data-driven governance. n— news from Brookings
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Abstract n nU.S. federal regulatory policy is, and should be, informed by economics research. Strengthening engagement between economists and agency analysts can help generate research questions to inform policy and enhance agencies’ analytical capacities. We review challenges to improving such engagement and lay out an agenda for both researchers and agencies on better integrating economics research into the regulatory process. Researchers can take advantage of analytical “to-do lists” recently published by agencies to identify important unresolved questions and make use of a variety of existing ways to engage with agencies on those questions. We recommend that agencies continue to publicize research needs, find additional ways to break down barriers between researchers and analysts, and incentivize policy-informative research by highlighting when research is cited in agency analyses. Both groups can also work to keep each other informed about the frontier of economics research and its application to policy problems. Given the longstanding importance of economics research to the regulatory process, further improving engagement between these two groups can facilitate better policy decisions.