Anders Ekbom Research & Policy Ef D Meeting Beijing Nov 2008

Anders Ekbom Research & Policy Ef D Meeting Beijing Nov 2008

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  Research & PolicyImpact Anders Ekbom, Karin Backteman Environmental Economics Unit (EEU), Dept of Economics, University of Gothenburg Nov 5, 2008 EfD 2nd Annual meeting Beijing, China
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  Outline of session:1. Research & Policy (AE) 2. Policy Briefs (KB) 3. Joint discussion
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  Research and Policy
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  Research-Policy links Researchresults/ knowledge Policy making, decisions ” Enlightenment function” (Weiss) Time lag, costly, ineffective
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  Policy making asa Linear Process “ research findings shift from the 'research sphere' over to the 'policy sphere' , and have some impact on policy-makers' decisions”
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  Policy making is dynamic, complex Media Foreign donors Military Legislature Bureaucracy Political parties Ministries Universities, Research institutes Civil society Intl NGOs Business sector Old elites Vested interests Judiciary
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  A Divided Worldbetween Researchers and Policy makers? David Glover, IDRC: ” Policy Researchers and Policy Makers: Never the Twain Shall Meet?” (Glover, 2002)
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  Divided Worlds? Researchers” cannot understand why there is resistance to policy change despite clear, convincing evidence” Policymakers “ bemoan researchers’ inability to make their findings accessible and understandable in time for policy decisions” Practitioners ” just get on with things”
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  When does Researchinfluence Policy? When research findings: - are credible and convincing, - provide practical solutions to key policy problems - fit within the political and institutional limits - resonate with policymakers’ assumptions When research findings are communicated/translated to attract policymakers’ interest; When researchers and policymakers share common networks, trust each other, and communicate effectively. (Court, Hovland and Young, 2004)
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  Research & Policyengagement – is there a trade-off? Yes, it may be ( focus on certain issues, communicating research (ideas, results) takes time, risk of political capture etc. ) However, policy relevant research & policy engagement facilitate: access to data, co-funding, uptake of research results, input to new research etc
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  How can webridge the gap? 1. Develop detailed understanding of key policy processes Key influencing factors? Entry points? Key stakeholders/actors/messengers? 2. Develop a strategy for linking research to policy build long term programs of high-quality research ensure research evidence is credible & practically useful keep an eye out for/react to policy windows 3. Be entrepreneurial get to know & work with policymakers identify political supporters & opponents, build networks communicate research results effectively
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  Multiple Policy Influencesof EfD Research EfD research Sector reforms, -policies (forestry, fisheries, agriculture etc.) National Policy processes (PRS, NDP, EFR etc.) National, international research agenda Internat’l Policy processes SLM, Land Tenure, UN-REDD, UN-PEI
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  Research - PolicyOutcomes - where are we, where do want to go? Research Policy impact How do we do it?
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  EfD Policy engagementMany examples, much ongoing work: China: Forest sector reform, Eco-compensation/PES SA: Biodiversity, parks, fisheries Ethiopia: Sust. Land Man’t (SLM), CC Kenya: Forest sector reform, SLM Tanzania: Forestry, fisheries Costa Rica: Park man’t, SLM, PES etc.
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  EfD Policy tools& activities Some observed examples : Joint Research w govt agencies, ministries On-the-job/in-service trainings for civil servants, masters programs! Policy workshops, seminars, dialogues Policy briefs, discussion papers, journal publications, commissioned reports etc.
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  Research-policy impact toolsGenerally: Engage early, even before, policy reform Close contacts w. Govt agencies, ministries Build trust, produce rigouros research ODI, IDRC – specific tools, some examples: Actor, Political, Outcome mapping, respectively ” Toolkit for Successful Research Communication” Guidance on Building Effective Research Policy Networks Guidance on how to write (i) Policy Briefs, (ii) a Research communication Strategy and Plan
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  Successful policy engagement – typically requires: - Careful & specific planning and budgeting : What to do, Why, With whom, when, entry points to policy sphere, Objectives, targets Plan for implementation and follow-up incl. criteria to identify & assess activities, costs, adjustments, policy outcomes & impacts Policy influence also assisted by a targeted communication plan
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  Sources of moreinformation – Organizations and Initiatives: ODI’s Research And Policy In Development (RAPID)-programme ( www.odi.org.uk/rapid ) Global Development Network (GDN) Bridging Research and Policy-project ( www.gdnet.org ) Evidence-Based Policy in Development Network ( www.ebpdn.org ) International Development Research Centre (IDRC): ( www.idrc.org /evaluate )
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  Sources of moreinfo (c’ed) – Research & Policy-literature: Neilson, Stephanie, 2001. IDRC-Supported Research and its Influence on Public Policy - Knowledge Utilization and Public Policy Processes: A Literature Review , IDRC. Glover, David, 2002. Policy Researchers and Policy Makers: Never The Twain Shall Meet , IDRC. Court, Julius and John Young, 2004. Bridging Research and Policy in International Development – An Analytical and Practical Framework , Overseas Development Institute (ODI). Jones, Nicola and Cora Walsh, 2008. Policy Briefs as a Communication Tool for Development Research , ODI Background Note, May 2008, ODI.
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  Next Steps: AnnualPlan 2009 Application 2010-2014 Propose Research-based Policy Advice Activities Develop and report Output-, Outcome- and Impact(-indicators) in this area of the EfD program
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  Next Steps (cont’ed)Workshop in Addis (end Jan-09) for Africa EfD centers to support planning and implementation of Policy advice activities in Annual Plan 2009 and Application 2010-2014 (ODI, EEU etc) Support by EEU Helpdesk on policy advice activities (planning, reporting, implementation) Seek learning and synergies across EfD-centers!!
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  Enhancing Policy Influence - issues for discussion How did your policy engagement occur – re-actively or pro-actively? What are the key elements of success in your research-based policy engagement? Which are the constraints and risks ? Opportunities and Plans for strengthened policy engagement & impact? Key Lessons learned?
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  How do wewant to influence policy? Advice Advocacy Cooperation Inside track/ Government Confrontation Outside track/ NGOs, business sector Activism Lobbyism Interest/ Value- based Evidence/ science- based ? ? ? ?