Looking back to create a supportive environment for international development research
by Dr Maggie Heintz, UKCDR Executive Director
Advancing the research impact agenda and supporting a transdisciplinary research ecosystem for international development research is at the core of the UK Collaborative on Development Research’s mission. In a new report and accompanying case study booklet published on the 12th of September 2023, we provide a snapshot of international development research conducted in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and highlight best practices to achieve, and maximise, impact of challenge-led research.
The publication of 6781 impact case studies as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise offered an unprecedented opportunity to reflect on international development research conducted in UK HEIs. Bearing in mind the limitations inherent to REF as a methodological tool aimed at 1) providing accountability for public investment in research, 2) benchmarking information and 3) informing the selective allocation of funding for research, we extracted 891 impact case studies relating to international development research. We defined international development research as research that addresses global challenges, in alignment with the SDGs, and results in political, economic, social, health or environmental change for the benefit of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), specific regions, and/or the global community.
Using a mixed methods approach combining desk-based analysis, stakeholders interviews and a learning workshop, we published “The landscape of UK development research impact: An analysis of REF2021 impact case studies”.
Beyond providing a snapshot of development research conducted in UK HEIs (Fig. 1) this report supports the reflection on best practices to create an enabling research environment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 6 mutually reinforcing dimensions presented in the report include:
- Understanding of impact and the urge to recognise not only the different timescales needed for achieving impact, but also the role of serendipity and of research networks in amplifying impact;
- Funding approaches are required to encourage challenge-led transdisciplinary research and the plurality of funding mechanisms needs to be acknowledged and valued;
- Co-producing with research users and supporting transdisciplinary approaches will help address power imbalances in knowledge systems, engage different users at different levels and overall maximise research uptake and impact realisation;
- Supporting long-term partnerships with equity at their core will support not only the need to address power imbalances but also the recognition of intermediaries and lived experiences;
- Embedding capacity building and multi-way continuous learning processes over a long term programmatic approach with focus on research management will support the creation of an enabling environment; and
- Streamlining operational processes from visa applications to due diligence and procurement processes will help balance contracting requirements with capacities and on-the-ground realities.
But what better way to highlight best practices than sharing success stories and the key mechanisms that paved the way to achieve research impact? With thanks to the many academic colleagues who supported this work and helped compiled these stories, have a look at our collection of REF2021 impact stories.
