Bridging the gap between research and policy making?
Ajoy DattaFoundation for the Future, Dead Sea, Jordan
Civil Society Partnerships Programme
26-28 January 2010
Outline of this presentation
1.Is there a gap? No, not really
2.What are the implications for
research centres?
3.How can we promote our own
research
Is there a gap?
Research Policy
Is there a gap?
Research Policy
Is there a gap?
• Focus has been on researchers and links to policymakers and policy
• Policy is broadly linked to evidence
• The issue of knowledge density
• Research centres are political actors
Many links exist
• Formal internal think tanks
• Public think tanks
• UN think tanks
• Informal ‘internal’ think tanks
Research and policy in East Asia
• States and Markets have been politically contested
• Think thanks are an important actor
• They are political
• They are part of a long term national development plan
Research and policy in Latin America• Emergence of think tanks tightly
linked to historical development of region– Coincided with political struggles
• Eclectic funding sources– Political parties– International NGOs/foundations– Private sector
Is there a gap?
Res
earc
hP
olicy
Technocratic networks
Ideological think tanks
Internal think tanks
UN Think tanks
Public think tanks
Political parties
Lobbies
NGOs
corporations
Universities
Regulatory bodies
Executive
In the United States
• Industrial revolution donors: progressive believe in science
• Post Wall Street Crash: contain social disaffection
• Second World War: more complex foreign policy and military strategies
• Cold War: beat the Russians (and all that implies)
• The conservative swing: Get the Republicans into the White House
Conclusion
• One community
• But with differences
• Extent of overlap can vary– Context dependent
• Little or no gap
• Not everyone can be influential
• Aligned with political interests
Implications
1. Really understand the context. What works where?
2. Recognise the limits to the uptake of some research by policymakers
– Uptake is not same everywhere
3. Work with what you have– Depends on who you are
Promoting your research1. Know your policy objective
2. Understand the context
3. Identify who you want to influence
4. Clarify what changes you want
5. Develop a theory of change
6. Develop a strategy
7. Develop your competencies and skills and/or partner with others
8. Set up a Monitoring and Learning system
For example:
Progress MarkersOpportunities and Threats timelinePolicy ObjectivesAIIMForce Field Analysis
For example:
Force Field AnalysisFor example:
Policy entrepreneur questionnaireSWOTInternal performance frameworks
For example:
Log Frame (flexible)Outcome MappingJournals or impact logsInternal monitoring tools
Start by defining your policy objectives –
constantly review them during the
process
For example:
•AIIM•Stakeholder analysis•Influence Mapping•Social Network Analysis•Force Field Analysis
For example:
Publications, public relationsMedia and eventsNegotiation and adviceDevelop a network or coalitionResearch
For example:
RAPID FrameworkDrivers of ChangePower AnalysisSWOTInfluence MappingForce Field Analysis
RAPID OUTCOME MAPPING APPROACH (ROMA)
More research
Develop a network or build partnerships
Research communications
Capacity building
Thank you
Ajoy Datta
www.odi.org.uk/rapid
www.ebpdn.org