The Nutrition Assessment Laboratory: www.umass.edu/nal

Lisa M. Troy, PhDDepartment of Nutrition

School of Public Health and Health Sciences

Packing Messages for Policymakers

The Nutrition Assessment Laboratory: www.umass.edu/nal

Know your Audience

The Nutrition Assessment Laboratory: www.umass.edu/nal

Develop your Story Hook• Find, try, refine

Substance• Narrative with numbers

Closing• Positive solutions

The Nutrition Assessment Laboratory: www.umass.edu/nal

Deliver your storyVehicle Visual

PhotovoiceInfographics

Verbal Policy memos Formal presentations / briefings

You Attitude Appearance

The Nutrition Assessment Laboratory: www.umass.edu/nal

Avoid Common MistakesStory Academic Tendency Policy DemandsHook Logic (brain) Emotion (gut)

Exactly right Close enoughSubstance Nuances; yes but Broad; yes and

Study population All constituentsClosing Problems /Gaps Positive / Solution

Quick to ask Know what ask meansDelivery Expert RelatablePushed against a wall

Argue louder;Argue stronger (more #s)

Listen;Change tactics

The Nutrition Assessment Laboratory: www.umass.edu/nal

Reflect What do I want?

• Raise awareness• Change a policy• Be the go to person

Am I the right person to do it?• Adapt to the culture• Create the time

Where am I going to get help?• Trainings, workshops, fellowships• Networks