Start Date: March 1, 2008

 

 

What happens to research findings after they are published? Who reads them? What, if any, impact do the findings have on policy and/or practice? These are the types of questions driving PAN's approach to understand and measure the impact of its programming. This RSP attempts to address the questions posed above by identifying some of the key approaches PAN and its research partners could explore and adopt with regard to developing an effective research communications strategy. This RSP will be used to expose research partners and PAN program staff to innovative communications tools and approaches and to support capacity-building activities within PAN-supported research projects.

 

- Building on PAN’s communication activities

- Building on PAN supported project communication strategies

- Capacity development for PAN supported partners

 

To facilitate the visibility and use of PAN supported research findings by practitioners and/or policy-makers.

 

- To build the capacity within the PAN team to systematically think about communication for influence strategies in the design phase of the projects;

- To build the capacity of PAN research partners to formulate effective research to use communications strategies and facilitate their implementation; and

- To develop a process of learning for PAN to help identify best practices in the area of maximising the impact of research.

 

It is clear that there is no direct link between research and changes in policy and practice and a diverse range of theories and frameworks have been developed over the years to understand the impact of research on policy and practice.  The majority of current theoretical frameworks emphasize understanding policy stakeholders; the importance of relationships and networks; and an appreciation of the politicized environment of policy-making.  Although the process is complex, effective communications is important in facilitating the linkages between research and policy. Communicating research results early and simply, with all policy stakeholders, is seen as fundamental tenet that transcends across different frameworks and theories.