Purpose
id21 insights is a thematic overview of recent policy-relevant research findings on international development. Funded by the UK Department for International development, it is distributed free to policymakers and practitioners worldwide.

These days we are all short of time; it is often difficult to know where to find the information you need quickly and in an easy-to-read format. id21 insights meets this need. For example, each issue of id21 insights was included in Kofi Annan's briefing pack – surely one of the busiest development professionals around. id21 aims to fill an information gap.

Our market research shows that many developing countries are starved of reliable information about research. In addition, it is the best-resourced sources of information that appear at the top of Google or whose documents are stocked in resource centres and libraries – e.g. the World Bank's. id21 offers different perspectives, alternative sources of information.

Frequency
Published ten times a year in print, online and via email, there are three editions:

• id21 insights (seven a year)
• id21 insights health (twice a year)
• id21 insights education (once a year)

Approach
id21 insights also aims to make research accessible to non academics and non-native English speakers. We do this by writing in plain English and by avoiding jargon and technical or academic terms. This includes writing in short sentences and paragraphs and using short words.

Main audiences
id21 insights is aimed at the specialist and the generalist. We assume that our 20,000 subscribers are interested in a wide range of policy-relevant issues. We also send id21 insights to specialist organisations, discussion lists, conferences, and individuals that we think will be interested in a particular issue of id21 insights. Main audiences include:

• Advisors to national and local government departments/sectors
• Elected representatives (e.g. select committee members)
• Civil servants and other government officials
• UN / bilateral agency / NGO HQ and field staff
• Advocacy groups
• Business communities and the private sector
• Local researchers needing background information for their work
• Healthcare professionals
• Educators (e.g. school and university staff)
• Media (journalists, broadcasters, news networks)

Format

• Editorial (1,200 words) by the guest editor, providing an overview of the topic (research and practice), locating each article within the topic and drawing out the key policy lessons, implications, conclusions or next steps
• 4-5 articles (500 words each) each focusing on a different aspect of the topic, ensuring a balance across different countries and regions. Articles are practical and useful rather than theoretical.
• 1-2 shorter articles (300 words) with a more condensed précis of research or case study
• Graphics, photos with interesting informative captions
• Useful websites column