towards evidence-aware humanitarian practice: the role of donors

Towards evidence-aware humanitarian practice: the role of donors

Joanna Macrae

Head of Profession and Senior Research Adviser, DFID

Overview

• Evolution of evidence-based policy in the UK

• DFID’s approach to evidence-based development practice;

• Evidence-aware humanitarian action: what is DFID doing?

Evidence-based policy in the UK

• 1999 and 2001 key White Papers ‘modernising government’

• Increased investment in publicly funded research – with the expectation of practical application

• Learning from medicine

Elements of evidence-aware practice

RCTsAgreement on

the nature of evidence

Elements of evidence-aware practice

RCTsAgreement on

the nature of evidence

Commissioning frameworks

Elements of evidence-aware practice

Synthesis of evidence

Training and guidance materials

RCTs

Cochrane

Eg Nice, centre

specific guidance

Agreement on the nature of

evidence

Commissioning frameworks

Effective dissemination of knowledge

Elements of evidence-aware practice

Synthesis of evidence

Training and guidance materials

RCTs

Cochrane

Eg Nice, centre

specific guidance

Agreement on the nature of

evidence

Commissioning frameworks

Effective dissemination of knowledge

Decision

But…..how applicable is the medical model?

• What is truth?

• Whose evidence?

Evidence-based development: DFID’s approach

• 2006 White Paper provided for increased investment;• 2008 research strategy published• Building the systems for evidence-based development

– Invest in primary evidence base– Invest in synthesis– Increase incentives for technical excellence an use of evidence

Why is evidence-aware humanitarian practice important

• Principles

• Effectiveness

• Accountability

Applying evidence-based approaches in humanitarian practice: DFID’s approach

• HERR• Strategy

Primary evidence base

Do we have

enough good

evidence

Agreement on the nature of

evidence

Commissioning frameworks

Primary evidence base

Do we have

enough good

evidence?

Synthesis of existing evidence

What do we really know?

Effective dissemination of knowledge

Commissioning frameworks

Agreement on the nature of

evidence

Primary evidence base

What is good

evidence?

Synthesis of existing evidence

What do we really know?

Training and guidance materials

How can we make evidence

accessible to practitioners?

Professional and skilled decision-making

Agreement on the nature of

evidence

Commissioning frameworks

Effective dissemination of knowledge

Incentives to use evidence in practice

What are the main priorities

for more evidence?

What are the incentives to

use evidence?

Challenges

• Knowledge and power

• Capacity

• Incentives to use evidence

• Defining good enough