Policy Research and Practice

Ratna M. Sudarshan

ISST, New Delhi

Dec 12, 2008

The Scope of ‘Policy Research’

Evidence based analysis on questions of policy relevance

Includes evaluations of programme outcomes

Various forms of communicating findings other than academic publications – policy briefs, presentations, etc

(wider scope than just ‘research’)

The environment of policy research

Policy research organisations/ ‘think tanks’

Private consulting firmsMarket research organisationsUniversity academics (some?)NGOsIndividual activists and researchers

Implications of dispersed R2P environment ‘Social engagement’ as well as ‘relevance’ in researchActivists seeking to influence both research and policy

agenda (eg informal economy)Questioning technocratic research methods, favouring

mixed methods, giving value to field insights and experience

New ‘protocols’ with researchers and activists working in partnership

NetworksAs well as business models of researchAnd mainstream PROs

Complementarity Issues/ social engagement

Mainstream PROs and universities are the ‘formal sector’ in research

Experience and field based insights do not always reach this formal sector

Potential of NGO research is inCreating a culture of research, democratising

researchIntegrating experience with scientific analysis

PROs, NGOs, Consultants

The ‘business model’ of research not in tune with values of either ‘academic research’ or ‘action based research’

However often a means of survival especially in the NGO sector

Areas of conflict

Allocation of resources

Role of civil society in influencing policyIndependence and biasQuality of research

Networks

Connecting researchers across space and location

Policy networks usually national although research/ practice networks increasingly international

Government initiated: PC WGs; PIN – NREGA

NGO led, with sectts – CBGA, ASERInformal, issue or project based

Ways forward

Concentrate all PR into mainstream PROsSupport action based research

organisations to undertake research on prioritised issues of concern

Support thematic networks including PROs, NGOs, etc

Support research in partnership with activists

other?