Knowledge intermediaries

Communicating sexual and reproductive health research

Policymakers in the UK struggle to take up and use information on health in developing countries. Researchers and the private and non-government sectors are engaged in ever more sophisticated marketing and advocacy campaigns which can leave policymakers overwhelmed.

The Realising Rights research consortium, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), is working to try and ensure that its research is used in policy and practice. Many of the topics that the programme focuses on are neglected, contested or ignored.

The strategy
Using intermediaries to communicate research is a strategy that has received increased attention in recent years. The media is a traditional means of broadcasting research findings, acting as amplifiers or multipliers of messages. In addition to using the media, Realising Rights targets parliamentary and civil society networks and knowledge intermediaries in the UK to encourage research uptake. The main intermediaries have been:

• the UK Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health 
• the All Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health
• the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Knowledge Services
• DFID’s Research for Development portal.

The approach is based on the understanding that policy processes are often ‘messy’ rather than linear and well ordered. The use of intermediaries tries to ensure Realising Rights’ messages reach decision-makers through multiple routes or pathways.

Policy processes are often ‘messy’ rather than linear and well ordered

The complexity of the bargains, compromises, advances, reversals, second thoughts and changes that constitute the policy process, coupled with its inherently political nature, make the monitoring of opportunities to influence a full-time job. Realising Rights sought to work with intermediaries who map and navigate the policy realm as part of their remit. Because research and policy cycles are rarely synchronised, Realising Rights placed its research on online web platforms that would outlive the project and help to secure a legacy – potentially prompting the uptake of evidence in the future.

What has been learnt?
This approach has allowed Realising Rights to:

• influence agendas – such as raising the profile of neglected issues like congenital syphilis amongst parliamentarians 
• frame messages and research in ways that better suit target audiences – health advocates have advised Realising Rights of opportunities to showcase its research 
• communicate its research through online and email products with a wider reach and coverage than is possible through Realising Rights’ own website – using IDS Knowledge Services has provided access to its extensive contacts lists and networks.

This approach also has its challenges. Translating research into products and activities that are easily accessed by policymakers is time intensive and working with networks is based upon long-term relationship building. When you are working as part of a coalition it can be difficult to assess the impact the research is having and whether any impact can be attributed to the programme, and hence its donor. Finally, using research in this way creates questions about intellectual property and who owns ideas.

Kate Hawkins
Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RE, UK
T +44 (0)1273 915678
K.Hawkins@ids.ac.uk
www.ids.ac.uk

The Institute of Development Studies is a partner in the Realising Rights RPC