Introduction: Education and research for policy impact: The next frontier in social protection – The Michael Cichon Graduate Award

Abstract

In 2004, the book Financing social protection was published by the International Labour Office in collaboration with the International Social Security Association. The book showcased a pedagogical philosophy which underlined that learning and knowledge production are not sequential activities but simultaneous ones, and that young professionals are capable of contributing from the outset of their careers. This philosophy is the intellectual and institutional thread that connects the 2004 volume to the five articles selected from the finalists of The Michael Cichon Graduate Award for Outstanding Thesis – 2025 that appear in this themed issue. Since 2004, investment in education and research has strengthened the ability to simulate, evaluate impacts, and analyse social protection institutions comparatively. But in practice, billions of people remain without adequate coverage. Institutional reach and coverage gaps continue. Innovative new ways of thinking about issues of policy and administration, along with innovative new thinkers, are needed. Grounded in rigorous research methods and solid policy analysis, the articles in this themed issue share a commitment to bridging analysis and implementation and are committed to rights‐based approaches and to human dignity. However, the approach taken here is also pragmatic. In this regard, the papers mirror the rigorous analysis and research that Michael Cichon’s life work emphasized as necessary to help argue the case for and promote the development of rights‐based social protection for all.