towards evidence-aware humanitarian practice: the role of donors
TRANSCRIPT
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
