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Linking research, policy and practice
Whether viewed from the perspective of development organizations and funders, or the ultimate beneficiaries of such programmes, investing in a strong knowledge base is critical in achieving development impact. A core part of this is ensuring that all policy decisions and actions have a sound empirical basis.
In practice, however, building sufficient capacity to access, adapt and utilize evidence-based research is quite a difficult undertaking. It requires investing both in core research and analytical capabilities (the evidence base) for effective development action, as well as a range of crucial, but often neglected, capacities that are needed to drive the research message home. These include how to: identify and understand the key stakeholders in the policymaking process; adapt to the dynamics of the political debate; get the timing right in disseminating research results; and communicate in a language that policymakers and practitioners can understand.
Featured Article
Lessons Learned from 25 Years of Food Security Research, Capacity-Building and Outreach
This document from Michigan State University contains an overview of the past 25 years of
research, capacity-building, and outreach by the university's Food Security Group (FSG). The paper
describes key elements of the FSG approach and examines the insights gained from research and
outreach, primarily in Africa, and their value to the U.S. Feed the Future Initiative in addressing
the major current challenges facing food and agricultural systems.
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- rural development
- africa
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- analytical frameworks
Recent Articles
Lessons Learned from 25 Years of Food Security Research, Capacity-Building and Outreach
15 March 2012
This document from Michigan State University contains an overview of the past 25 years of
research, capacity-building, and outreach by the university's Food Security Group (FSG). The paper
describes key elements of the FSG approach and examines the insights gained from research and
outreach, primarily in Africa, and their value to the U.S. Feed the Future Initiative in addressing
the major current challenges facing food and agricultural systems.
Linking agricultural research and practice: Climate analogues tool helps farmers anticipate their future climate
09 January 2012
"Climate Analogues" is a new open access
tool launched at the UN Climate Change conference in Durban in December 2011 that aims to help
farmers to assess the impacts of progressive climate change on agricultural production. The tool
locates sites where the climate today is similar to that predicted for another location in the
future, enabling farmers and policymakers to determine how to adapt to anticipated
changes.
How to survive and thrive in the knowledge pond
29 January 2011
"Knowledge
sharing and communication professionals now inhabit a much more crowded workspace than 15 years
ago. There is more noise, more competition and more strategic thinking needed to make your
knowledge stand out and be heard. However, this community is far better networked than ever before.
There are opportunities to build knowledge-brokering relationships across the globe."
These are among the highlights of discussions at a recent workshop on ‘Improving the impact of development research through better communication and uptake’, as reported in a blog post by Andrew Clappison from the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN). The workshop was co‐hosted by AusAID, DFID and UKCDS on November 29th and 30th in London and involved 80 participants from around the world.
MoreChange Alliance
14 December 2010
Change
Alliance es una red mundial en formación que aspira a acrecentar la eficacia de los procesos
multilaterales para el cambio social transformador, particularmente en entornos
complejos.
Trabajo con poder y con amor
09 December 2010
Los enfoques convencionales de la resolución de problemas no pueden abordar eficazmente crisis sociales cada vez más complejas. Nuestras acciones para abordar cuestiones “arduas” aplicando dichos enfoques suelen dejarnos cada vez más confusos, polarizados y atascados.
MoreOther Topics
Essential Readings
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Research, Policy and Practice, Capacity.org Issue 35 (December 2008)
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Simon Hearn and Nancy White (2009) Communities of practice: linking knowledge, policy and practice, Overseas Development Institute
Featured Community
Evidence Based Policy in Development Network (EBPDN)
EBPDN is a growing professional network that emerged out of the Civil
Society Partnership Programme at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), UK. This programme aims
to establish a worldwide community of practice for think tanks, policy research institutes and
similar organizations working in international development, with a view to promoting more
evidence-based and pro-poor development policies. Information available on the EBPDN website
includes the latest resources in this area; a directory of training and advisory expertise;
discussion forums and a partnership brokering area.
Communities of practice on linking research, policy and practice
