"Research has potential to improve the lives of the world’s vulnerable people – if it is appropriately referred to in decision-making processes. While there is a significant industry of activity each year to communicate research findings, little systematic research has tested or compared the eff
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ectiveness of such efforts. One popular research communication tool is the policy brief. In this article we draw on findings from a recent study on how a policy brief works; concluding that a policy brief does not have a linear effect on its readers. Instead, a reader can take a number of alternative routes from belief to action, some of which could subvert the intended outcome of the policy brief in question. We reflect also on the question of what makes for an effective policy brief; concluding that policy briefs that give personality and form to the researcher behind the written word may invoke a deeper relationship between the reader and the author, and affect a greater inclination in the reader to share the message with someone else – that is, they pass the hot potato. The study itself was a first of its kind and contributes to our understanding about the effectiveness of research communication, as well as how to evaluate research communication effectiveness." (Abstract)
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"The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) was approached by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in December 2010 to provide research communication support to seven of the IDRC ACACIA programme’s research partners (PANAF, UHIN, GRACE, RIA, P
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ICTURE, OASIS and eARN). This review aims to assess to what extent the activities INASP planned and implemented have contributed to building the communication capacity of the partners. We assess INASP’s approach by reviewing how the project was designed and implemented and identify a number of lessons that could be been learned from the process. Finally we make recommendations for future initiatives on capacity building for better communication. In short, we consider that the initiative has contributed to increasing the awareness of the importance of communications, as well as a strategic understanding by the partners of how to inform policy through the communication of research. INASP’s approach has also provided the partners with some practical tools to improve their communication (such as press releases, communication strategy etc.). However, the level of interest from the partners and the unique challenge of how to build the capacity of networks were not sufficiently well understood and as a consequence not all of the partners engaged with the process to get the most out of the project. In this document we analyse the different phases of the project, what challenges were met and why, and suggest how a deeper learning and more transformative effects could have been achieved." (Summary)
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"A review of case studies from a global, ten-year research project coordinated by the Institute of Development Studies suggests that previous efforts to understand the value of research for promoting social change has underappreciated the contribution of researchers as social actors. Researchers inh
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abit a complex web of relations, they hold many identities, and they act politically to bring about social change in ways large and small that go beyond what they write in journals or in policy briefs. Through interviews and self-reflection, we explored some of these ways – formal and informal, direct and indirect – that researchers communicate their knowledge. To capture some of the diversity, this article presents a typology of different ‘roles’ that researchers play as communicators. We hope this typology might help to clarify our understanding of research utilisation, and might also provide insight into how to approach research communication in more strategic and creative ways." (Abstract)
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"In this article we reflect on three themes that highlight current trends in research communication for development and, in turn, shape this issue of the IDS Bulletin. We argue that shifts in the sociopolitical and theoretical context within which development research communication is being put into
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practice; the range and configurations of actors and roles being deployed; and technological advances or innovations available for research communication are affecting important and often contested changes. In introducing this collection of articles relevant to these themes, we conclude that further work is needed in mapping out this evolving landscape and better understanding the interlinkages, antecedents, and tensions between perspectives. Doing so, we argue, could contribute to a stronger praxis of development research communication." (Abstract)
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"This article traces the co-evolution between models of research communication and development. It looks at how creative and visual methods fit into this trajectory. It argues that the current growth in the accessibility of communication technologies has emerged alongside a strong revival of more li
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near, marketing-style understanding of development research communication, which threatens to undermine their progressive potential. It argues that despite development research communicators having many more options available to them, in terms of tools and approaches, and a much better understanding of how to integrate research and communication, they are also under increased pressure to prove impact, or show direct attribution. It argues that the more democratised communication becomes, the more difficult it is to do this." (Abstract)
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"This workbook provides an overview of the main points contained in the book 'Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press', as well as practical exercises for applying the book’s concepts and communication principles to your unique situation. The
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first three chapters review basic communication concepts, from analyzing your audience to building a storyline. Chapters 4 and 5 shift the focus from conceptual to practical by introducing guidelines for presenting data, as well as the Organize, Plan, Test, and Integrate (OPT-In) framework developed by the textbook’s authors to aid in planning and executing data-related communications. Chapters 6 and 7 focus on the application of concepts and the OPT-In framework to the real world in scenarios, such as crisis situations or advocacy. The ultimate goal of this workbook—and the book 'Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press'—is to help you select and communicate quantitative data in ways lay audiences can understand. You will gain the most from this workbook by reviewing its contents in concert with the book 'Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press', making note of the tips and guidelines it presents, and completing the practical exercises beginning in Chapter 3 to ensure your understanding of the concepts and ability to successfully apply them." (How to use this workbook)
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"Good reporting of science in the media is vital in drawing the attention of both policymakers and the public to the important role that science and technology can play in achieving sustainable development, and press officers can contribute significantly to helping science journalists ensure that th
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is happens. This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the techniques that press officers can use to create a close and supportive working relationship with the journalist community." (Foreword)
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"ILRI is working in 'a crowded field of providers of knowledge, technology, and capacity development'. It is crucial therefore that the organisation is crystal clear about the unique brand of knowledge and services it delivers in the field of science 'at the intersect of poverty and livestock' - and
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up-front about its track record in delivering results. Purposeful and strategic communication around issues that ILRI has the reputation to speak about, and that resonate with current - and emerging - debates, is the key to being heard and advancing the position and potential of livestock farmers globally. The organisation has established for itself a professional brand and impressive publishing record for communicating its diverse research products and thinking 'in real time'. A two-pronged process of embedding strategic communication in all research programmes (through a combination of incentives and quality assurance protocols) and being more focused and strategic on key target audiences and issues, will create the necessary conditions for ILRI to effectively communicate its research. This process requires not so much radical overhauls as clear stewardship, leadership and support from management to enable more strategic communication to be required where it is absent, and to flourish where it is latent." (Executive summary)
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Focuses on three key written products: the policy brief, the research brief and the story of change.
"Community research projects are often initiated with action and change in mind. That is, the knowledge generated is intended to be used towards specific ends-- strengthening community programs, improving public policy, sharing vital information with community members. But the research is only usefu
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l if it can be accessed and understood. Creating a research dissemination plan involves a collaborative effort between research partners to identify the best ways to share knowledge for the project’s particular purpose and target audience. Community Research Unit partners can use this document to develop a dissemination plan that ensures that their research is distributed to and understood by those who need it most." (Page 2)
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"The knowledge Translation Toolkit provides a thorough overview of what knowledge translation (KT) is and how to use it most effectively to bridge the ‘know-do’ gap between research, policy, practice, and people. It presents the theories, tools, and strategies required to encourage and enable ev
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idence-informed decision-making. This toolkit builds upon extensive research into the principles and skills of KT: its theory and literature, its evolution, strategies, and challenges. The book covers an array of crucial KTenablers—from context mapping to evaluative thinking—supported by practical examples, implementation guides, and references." (Publisher description)
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"Research findings can provide journalists with news stories, news 'pegs', background information, statistics, case studies and expert sources. But research papers are often written in an inaccessible style and poorly promoted. The Relay programme in Panos London produced a series of news features (
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the Relay Research Spotlight) in 2010 based on international development research findings. Based on this experience, this guide explains how research findings can be used in articles and offers suggestions for writing successful copy. It also explains some common pitfalls and suggests how to avoid them. This how-to guide is divided into five sections: Using research in your articles; finding and interpreting research; interviewing researchers; writing news articles using research findings; top 10 tips for successful articles." (Introduction)
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"This book is for broadcasters of all flavours, colours and tastes. Whether you are reporting politics, business, sports, fashion or any other beat, which appear far removed from science, you will benefit from having a basic awareness of science. Science is not all about faraway galaxies or subatomi
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c particles. It is about explanations about natural phenomena, including our society. So, politics, religion or our thought processes or imagination are not beyond the scope of scientific investigation. For example, if you are reporting a local conflict, there are enough scientific studies on aggression and violence that may throw light on the situation. You can give a new spin on sports if you have enough understanding about sports science and the pharmacology of performance enhancing drugs. Business cycles are specific examples of quasi-periodic phenomena and your reporting would bear a fresh perspective if you could dig deep into non-linear dynamics. How can you report on a crime without understanding the basics of forensic science?" (Introduction)
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"The media have the capacity to speak to policymakers, civil society and the general public, and therefore have an important role to play in keeping debate and awareness of particular issues in the public domain. Research that supports existing debates can also bring evidence and corroborated facts
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to a debate where they might otherwise be absent [...] In conclusion, the main activities that need to be supported to this effect are the following: support of relationship-building and strengthening of trust among researchers, journalists and civil society activists; creation of the conditions for stronger institutional linkages and networks to develop among researchers, civil society and policymakers; development of journalists’ capacity to report on research findings, and their capacity to work more closely with civil society who can act as mediators with policymakers and researchers; development of researchers’ capacity to work more closely with the media, and with civil society advocates who can promote their work to the media and to policymakers." (Final conclusions, page 16)
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"This paper reviews, critically, the discourse of research publication policy and the directives of the regional and global organisations that advise African countries with respect to their relevance to African scholarly communication. What emerges is a readiness to use the concepts and language of
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the public good, making claims for the power of technology to resolve issues of African development. However, when it comes to implementing scholarly publication policies, this vision of technological power and development-focused scientific output is undermined by a reversion to a conservative research culture that relies on competitive systems for valuing and accrediting scholarship, predicated upon the systems and values managed by powerful global commercial publishing consortia. The result is that the policies put in place to advance African research effectively act as an impediment to ambitions for a revival of a form of scholarship that could drive continental growth. While open access publishing models offer solutions to the marginalisation of African research, the paper argues that what is also needed is a re-evaluation of the values that underpin the recognition of scholarly publishing, to better align with the continent’s articulated research goals." (Abstract)
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"Esta publicación reúne los artÃculos y testimonios del Seminario Interamericano de Periodismo y Comunicación CientÃfica, realizado en la ciudad de Buenos Aires del 13 al 15 de octubre de 2010." (Página 3)