Lessons from RAPID’s work on research-

policy linksJohn Young

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RAPID

Power, Politics and evidence use

Evidence production and communication

Knowledge intermediaries and interactions

Identify the problem

Commission research

Analyse the results

Choose the best option

Establish the policy

Evaluation

Implement the policy

Policy processes are not...

3

Monitoring and Evaluation

Agenda Setting Decision

Making

Policy Implementation

Policy Formulation

Policy processes are more like ...

Civil Society

DonorsCabinet

Parliament

Ministries

Private Sector4

Research plays a minor role

Kate Bird et al, Fracture Points in Social Policies for Chronic Poverty Reduction, ODI WP242, 2004 (http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/working_papers/wp242.pdf) 5

Health Care in Tanzania

“The results of household disease surveys informed processes of health service reform which contributed to a 43 and 46 per cent reduction in infant mortality between 2000 and 2003 in two districts in rural Tanzania.”

TEHIP Project, Tanzania: www.idrc.ca/tehip

An analytical framework

The political context – political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change etc.

The evidence – credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged etc

External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc

The links between policyand research communities – networks, relationships, power, trust, knowledge etc.

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A practical framework

External Influences political context

evidencelinks

Politics and Policymaking

Media, Advocacy, Networking Research,

learning & thinking

Scientific information exchange & validation

Policy analysis, & research

Campaigning, Lobbying

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Policy and social entrepreneurs

Researcher

Storyteller Networker

FixerEngineer

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To maximise impact you need to:

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• focus on the policy question• ensure results are robust and credible• establish the right incentives in the team• establish an inclusive approach• Emphasise engagement and

communications• produce appropriate products• be ready to seize unexpected policy

opportunities and move very fast

6 Steps: ROMA

Start by defining your policy objectives – constantly

review them during the

process

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Policy objectives

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An iterative approach

Academic research communications

Develop a network or partnership

Online communications

Media strategy

More research

Policy advocacy coalition

Tools

For example:· Progress Markers· Opportunities and Threats timeline· Policy Objectives· AIIM· Force Field Analysis

For example:· Force Field Analysis· Theory of Change

For example:· Policy entrepreneur questionnaire· SWOT· Internal performance frameworks

For example:· Log Frame (flexible)· Outcome Mapping· Journals or impact logs· Internal 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 relations· Media and events· Negotiation and advice· Develop a network or coalition· Research

For example:· RAPID Framework· Drivers of Change· Power Analysis· SWOT· Influence Mapping· Force Field Analysis

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Develop enthusiasm to address

topic

Learn in partnership

Develop awareness

and enthusiasm

Challenge existing beliefs

High

Gene

ral l

evel

of

alig

nmen

t Low

LowHigh

Interest in specific

topic

Identifying the key stakeholders

AIIM Matrix

1. Identify all stakeholders

2. Map them onto the alignment / interest matrix

3. Identify who has power

4. Identify who you can influence

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Theories of change

Goal (Beneficiaries)

Management, inputs

Project Management (Budget, HR, Organisational Practices)

Purpose (Policy Influencing Objectives)

Output 2Target or audience

Output 3Target or audience

Approaches or Activities 1 Activities 2

Output NActions of actors not targeted by DFID

Activities A-Z from other actors

Output 1DFID

Activities A-Z from other actors

Strategy

Objectives

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Communication Tools• Key Messages• The Elevator Pitch• Communication Strategies• Policy Briefs• Working with the media

M&E of policy change• Strategy and Direction - Are you doing

the right thing? – Theories of Change; Log Frames etc

• Management - Are you doing what you planned?– Mgt records; AFTER Action Reviews etc

• Outputs - Are the outputs appropriate? – Peer review etc

• Uptake - Is anyone taking note of them? – Logs; Citation analysis; SNA etc

• Impact - Is anything changing? – OM; SNA; Stories; MSC; Micro-narratives; Case

Studies; Episode Studies; ROA etc

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Any questions?