RAPID perspective on Research into Use

Perspectives on research use from RAPIDSimon Hearn, Research and Policy in Development, ODI

[email protected]

30 April, 2015Nairobi, Kenya

Why is it so hard to get research into use?

Today’s world

What is RIU?

RIU

Research impact

Research uptake

Policy influence

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Knowledge management

Today’s world

Monitoring and Evaluation

Agenda Setting Decision

Making

Policy Implementation

Policy Formulation

Researchers

DonorsCabinet

Parliament

Ministries

Private Sector

Policy processes are complex

Evidence

Experience & Expertise

Judgement

Resources

Values and Policy Context

Habits & Tradition

Lobbyists & Pressure Groups

Pragmatics & Contingencies

Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005

Evidence is only one factor

Policy makers find it difficult to use scientific evidence because of the 5 Ss:

5Ss phenomenon

Does Evidence Matter Meeting Series, ODI, London 2004

• Speed• Superficiality• Spin• Secrecy• Scientific Ignorance

Five Ss

What can research organisations do differently?

Be more explicit about theories of change

Political context – politics, policy process, institutional pressures, etc.

Evidence – credibility of the evidence, packaging, etc

External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc

Links – intermediaries, networks, relationships, etc.

Understand the factors affecting use

Informing: disseminating content

Linking: linking expertise to need for an issue

Matchmaking: matching expertise to need across issues or disciplines

Engaging: formalising the exchange of knowledge

Collaborating: deepening and lengthening the knowledge collaboration process

Building adaptive capacity: co-producing knowledge, fostering social learning & innovation

Source: Jones H, N Jones, L Shaxson & D Walker (2013) Knowledge, policy and power in international development: a practical guide. Bristol: The Policy Press

Increasing intensity of relationship between knowledge producer and knowledge user

Choose appropriate knowledge strategies

Source: Peter Ballantyne (ILRI)

Don’t leave it to the end!

Build CAPACITY for use

MONITOR and document processes, outputs, learning, context etc.

NETWORKING and engagement with stakeholders and research users

Know what you are looking for

Source: Hearn, 2014: roma.odi.org.uk (from Keck and Sikkink, 1998 and Steven, 2007)

Interest or attitude of policy actors Public opinion Relationships

between actors

Capacity of actors to engage

Discourse of policy actors

Policy making processes / procedures

Policy content – legislation, budgets,

mandates

Behaviour of policy actors to

support implementation

Networks and systems for

implementation

What are the implications?

Develop new skills for new roles

Focus more on policy than research

Change incentives / culture

Change business model / systems

Spend more on communications

Engage with different actors

Produce different products

Be ready to seize unexpected policy opportunities and move very fast

May require organisational change

www.roma.odi.org