Research Uptake

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Beyond Communication: Exploring approaches to research uptake

On 29 November 2012, UKCDS and the Department for International Development (DFID) hosted a learning day to discuss research uptake approaches in development research programmes.

1. To clarify DFID's approach to research uptake 
2. To explore some practical approaches to facilitate research uptake
3. To encourage networking and lesson sharing between research uptake specialists 

To read a summary report of the workshop, click here.

As a result of this meeting, a ResUp MeetUp group has been set up. This will be an online discussion focusing on better understanding research impact. If you want to be involved in this group, please email Jeff Knezovich or request to join the group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/resupmeetup.

Read the draft version of DFID's Research Guidance document here.

Presentations from the day:

Supply and demand in evidence - informed policy making
Communicating synthesised evidence, Michelle Burns and Melanie Punton

Case Study: Embedded research and development, John Walley
Case Study: Involving end-users, Oliver Cumming
Case study: Capturing the impact of research, Sally Theobald

Capacity building, an interactive session with Siobhan Duvigneau

How much do you know about the policy world? - a quiz
 

Previous activities

Improving the impact of development research through better communication and uptake
Two-day international workshop held in London on 29-30 November 2010

Jointly hosted by UKCDS, DFID and AusAid, this workshop brought together funders of development research, researchers and practitioners to share innovative thinking on effective ways to get research into use.

Over 80 researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives and infomediary organisations attended from a wide range of countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Kenya, the Philippines, Ghana and Cambodia.

A wide range of issues were discussed, including: 

• the role of research compared to other forms of knowledge
• balancing supply and demand for research 
• improving our ability to assess the impact of research and research uptake mechanisms
• the role of knowledge intermediaries

A session focussed on the coordination and collaboration of funders was held at the end of the second day. A number of tasks to improve coordination were agreed and these will be taken forward by funders in association with the International Forum for Research Donors (IFORD).

The presentations and related materials can be found at www.researchtoaction.org.

Read the final report from the workshop (PDF 1.14MB)

For more information contact Sarah Buckmaster, Communications Manager at UKCDS.