Research for Development Platforms: Science for impact in Humidtropics
- 1. Research for Development (R4D) Platforms Conny Almekinders, KTI, WUR May 21, 2013, Bukavu Science for impact in Humid Tropics
- 2. Why R4D What it means for role of researcher R4D platforms
- 3. Contribution of research to policy and development processes is questioned ¡ñ Research is not used ¡®correctly¡¯ or ¡®abused¡¯ ¡ñ There is a mismatch between demand and supply ¡ñ Research does not reach (enough) stakeholders Increased acknowledgement of complexity / need for innovation and learning ¡ñ Enhance the contribution of research to policy, development and action ¡ñ Technology requires re-organisation of socio- organisational networks Why R4D?
- 4. From: ¡ñ Successful generation, transfer, adoption and diffusion of technology ¡ñ Research(ers) driven ¡ñ Institutions and politics are external To: ¡ñ System¡¯s capacity to generate and respond to change ¡ñ Resilient multi-level networks and platforms ¡ñ Enabling environments for change ¡ñ Research and non-research Re-defining research
- 5. R4D platforms can function as a space or enabling environment for exploring pathways to deal with complex problems... Humidtropics R4D platforms as catalyst for change and action Unpacking system complexity ¡ñ International ¡ñ Regional ¡ñ National ¡ñ Subnational ¡ñ Local ¡ñ Biophysical ¡ñ Socio-cultural ¡ñ Economic ¡ñ Institutional ¡ñ Political ¡ñ Policymakers ¡ñ Researchers ¡ñ Farmers ¡ñ Private sector ¡ñ NARS
- 6. R4D platform can spawn different IP Dry resistant Bt maize for climate adaptation in Nicaragua Parasitic weeds in rainfed rice farming in Tanzania R4Dtoincreasefoodsecurity, reducepoverty,etc.
- 7. Align research with existing innovation, policy or development processes Continuously reconcile demand and supply of research Facilitate R4D and Innovation Platforms Progress M&E Generating ¡®new¡¯ knowledge is important, but may also not always be necessary Multi-stakeholder research: Increase quality and ownership of research Role of research modified
- 8. Basic incentives for involvement Flexibility (RQs, planning, budget, mandates, outcomes, stakeholder involvement) Understanding, commitment (passion), engagement, co- ownership (excitement for a common goal) Everybody invests Urgency/ relevance ¡ñ Align with what is already going on Momentum and champions Space for success and failure, for collaboration, negotiation and conflict What are the prerequisites
- 9. Increased complexity/ uncertainty: open processes New roles, obligations and mandates for research(ers) From project-oriented to process-oriented research Flexibility and dynamic research configurations New research approaches (action research) without undermining the value for more traditional research approaches Need to remain credible, legitimate and relevant towards multiple stakeholders Stakeholder inclusion/ exclusion, representation and engagement Implications & challenges for research
- 10. What are R4Ds? R4D platforms can function as a space or enabling environment for exploring pathways to deal with complex problems... Humidtropics R4D platforms as catalyst for change and action
- 11. Both are: ¡ñ Multi-stakeholder platforms for collaboration, learning and action ¡ñ Enabling environments or incubators for innovation ¡ñ Negotiation and action-oriented IPs can be organised around thematic, systems, techno- logical, geographical or sectoral (value chain) issues: ¡ñ Climate Change (theme) ¡ñ Biotechnology (technology) ¡ñ River basin management (multi-level) ¡ñ Rice, wheat, maize, etc. (commodity) R4D platforms and IP?
- 12. What are R4Ds? R4D platforms can function as a space or enabling environment for exploring pathways to deal with complex problems... Humidtropics R4D platforms as catalyst for change and action
- 13. My definition of an R4Ds? a group of researchers of different disciplines (you?!) complemented with a selected representation of stakeholders to enables you to re-investigate, better understand and re-define the problem(s) you want address in an action site. To arrive at a fuller understanding of the (complexity of the) problem new stakeholders may have to be included in order to define useful/effective interventions. R4D platforms may transform in IPs?
- 14. What WUR can contribute? Back up research in the diagnostic phase Support in designing/implementation platform processes Analysis of the platform dynamics/processes; the unfolding of innovation Thinking through and analysing up-scaling processes How: Smart partnerships MSc and PhD students, postdocs (in collaboration with African Univerisities?)