Strengthening knowledge ecosystems for safe and inclusive development in fragile contexts
Estimates predict that by 2030, 80% of the world’s poor will be living in fragile contexts (OECD, 2018). Funders are increasingly expanding investment to these insecure environments to respond to this trend. Given the challenges of carrying out research in such settings, where high levels of risk are combined with limited capacity of states, systems, and communities to respond, there is a tendency for research to be disconnected from contextual realities. This results in top-down approaches that are often driven from the Global North by funders and other external actors less attuned to social, economic, and political dynamics on the ground.
The opportunities for research to inform policy for safe and inclusive development in these contexts depends upon the ability of researchers to carry out robust, contextually-grounded, and high-quality research. This project seeks to identify good practices for supporting research and researchers in contexts of political fragility. It responds to the need by assessing mechanisms and modalities for supporting localized research agendas, processes, and networks in a way that builds the resilience of local actors and works to build, over the long-term, strong national systems for research and innovation. The project adopts an ecosystem approach, considering all actors and systems involved in the research-to-policy process.
Project ID
109356
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
18 months
IDRC Officer
Edgard Rodriguez
Total Funding
CA$ 375,000.00
Location
Afghanistan
Laos
South Sudan
Institution Country
Switzerland
Project Leader
Ursina Bentele
Institution
Swiss Peace Foundation - swisspeace
Institution Website
Outputs
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Annex : strengthening knowledge ecosystems : Côte d’Ivoire case study Study
Côte d’Ivoire is emerging from 20 years of politico-military conflict preceded by economic crises and structural adjustment programs, which have heavily impacted its research ecosystem. Obstacles to research capacity include a lack of infrastructure and equipment, difficulties in accessing data, and insufficient national and international funding. Although universities are being built, the quality of teaching, master’s theses and doctoral theses is deteriorating. Faced with the strategy of ‘containment’ from political and state actors, other sources of legitimacy have been sought, with a shift to international actors’ support, driven by the idea of strengthening democratic processes and improving governance. Author(s): Fatogoma, Adou Djané Dit Language: English |
Annex - strengthening knowledge ecosystems : Cambodia case study Study
This study looks at knowledge ecosystems as a whole, covering the full process of knowledge production from agenda setting, funding, and selecting partners, to conducting research (choice of methodology and research design, data collection and analysis, publication), including outreach and policy uptake. Data collection and recommendations for this Annex focus almost exclusively on social sciences research in a Cambodian context seen through ‘Cambodian eyes’. It aims to contribute to improved and relevant research, academic careers and policy uptake within an existing authoritarian system. Increased numbers of Cambodian students have received competitive scholarships for post/graduate programs abroad and returned to Cambodia. Author(s): Bernath, Julie Language: English |
Annex - strengthening knowledge ecosystems : El Salvador case study Study
The Salvadorian research and knowledge production ecosystem is characterized by a lack of public funding and therefore, a prevalence of private actors and funding sources. The study aims to promote resilient, locally-driven research ecosystems, support the research community to conduct conflict sensitive research, and to improve opportunities and security of research partners in the Global South. The project ‘strengthening knowledge ecosystems’ is part of IDRC’s endeavour to strengthen the contribution of research support in ’high-risk’ contexts. Data collection and recommendation generation for this Annex focus almost exclusively on the El Salvador context seen through ‘Salvadorian eyes’. Author(s): Josi, Claudia Language: English |
Annex - strengthening knowledge ecosystems : Lebanon case study Study
This case study highlights the importance of enabling research actors to undertake needs-based research that responds to the current challenges Lebanon is facing. In the midst of a dire financial crisis the country is highly polarised, hampering academic freedom where evidence-based discussions are viewed with suspicion. The crisis has impacted research funding, and the capabilities of researchers to steer socially relevant agenda. The study emphasises the centrality of policy dialogue across political divides as a pre-condition to policy uptake and implementation. It proposes actionable recommendations to the donor community on how to support research-informed policymaking in Lebanon. Author(s): Swisspeace Language: English |
Annex - strengthening knowledge ecosystems : Afghanistan case study Study
This Afghanistan Case Study Report makes recommendations to support research systems and to strengthen the interface between knowledge, policy, and citizens, aiming to contribute to a resilient Afghan knowledge ecosystem. The recommendations focus on challenges that have emerged since the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban (2021). Lessons can be drawn from Afghanistan for other fragile contexts. Many Afghan researchers are part of a growing diaspora. Hence, engaging and integrating Afghan researchers with technical, methodological, and analytical skills into research-related organisations and exchange programmes abroad should be a priority. Domestic government counterparts are likely to exert much greater control on any research activity. Author(s): Miszak, Nick, Motwani, Nishank Language: English |
Annex - strengthening knowledge ecosystems : Laos case study Study
Data collection focused on capturing local perspectives and insights from researchers of the Global South, in this case firsthand experience of researchers in Laos. The paper utilizes a political economy approach by following four ‘threads’ within the knowledge ecosystem: people (biography and professional trajectory of researchers and academics), organisations (research and higher education institutions, think tanks, INGOs), funding (resources and their flow into research activities) and ideas (pathways and relevance of scientific content to policy). The research contributes to improved and relevant research, academic careers and policy uptake in a context where the knowledge ecosystem is still in its infancy. Author(s): de Riel, Sandra, Keoka, Khamlouang, Bouahom, Bounthong Language: English |
Annex : strengthening knowledge ecosystems - South Sudan case study Study
This case study provides an overview of research in South Sudan, with entry points for research funders to strengthen the research sector thereby increasing exchange between science and policy for sustainable development. Strengthening the knowledge ecosystem through financing PhD programs, skills training, and investing in research infrastructure such as libraries and digital platforms is beneficial to academic research, as well as practice- and policy-oriented research. With the outbreak of civil wars in 2013 and 2016, international funding was redirected towards humanitarian action. Lacking incentives to return, and continuous security threats for researchers has led to a brain drain abroad. Author(s): Bentele, Ursina, Peter, Malish John, Ndoromo, Owen Language: English |