Virtual, 17 April 2026: ERIA continued its Toolkit for Trade Policy Analysis (TPA) Training with Session #6, titled ’From Research to Policy.’

The session opened with a lecture by Dr Ben Shepherd, who outlined the core principles of translating research into policy. He emphasised the importance of aligning expectations between researchers and policymakers, selecting analytical tools appropriate to the policy question, ensuring robustness through validation and peer review, and communicating findings clearly while acknowledging uncertainty. Drawing on research in digital trade, he illustrated how these principles are applied in practice, including the use of proxy indicators, modelling approaches, and scenario analysis to generate policy-relevant insights. He also highlighted the importance of domestic regulatory reform alongside trade liberalisation.

This was followed by a sharing session by ERIA, represented by Dr Dionisius A. Narjoko, who presented a case study on the impact of US tariff policies on ASEAN economies. The session demonstrated how multiple analytical approaches – ranging from financial modelling (BVAR-X) and computable general equilibrium models (CGE-GTAP) to trade-in-value-added linkages – can be combined to address different dimensions of policy questions. The study underscored the value of triangulation, scenario-based analysis, and disciplined reporting within data constraints to ensure credible and actionable policy recommendations.

The session concluded with an interactive discussion and a briefing on group work for upcoming sessions, aimed at equipping participants with practical approaches to bridging research outputs and real-world policy needs.

This training forms part of a collaboration between ERIA and the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia to strengthen analytical capabilities for evidence-based trade policymaking.