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Those working in international development have learned over the years that bridging research and policy is harder than it looks. But what factors affect the influence research has on policy and practice in international development?  How can we bridge research and policy more effectively for poverty reduction?

This special issue of the Journal of International Development presents papers and conclusions from the 2004 Development Studies Association conference on Bridging Research and Policy in International Development.  Included is the paper « What Determines the Influence That Research Has on Policy-Making? » by IDRC President, Maureen O’Neil.

The papers add new perspectives and present a host of lessons on the science and the art of bridging research and policy. In particular, they highlight four key lessons:

• the need for donors and research foundations to foster research capacity and to protect it from political interference;
• the need for researchers to use detailed case material within and across national boundaries to inform high-level policy debates;
• the importance of presenting research results in such a way that they cannot be over-simplified;
• the value of creating alliances between researchers and civil society advocacy groups.

For more information, or to order copies: http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/jid_aug05.html 

Copies are free for researchers from developing countries (up to 10 copies per person).

2005-09

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