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Presentation by Catherine Fisher (IDS) on the themes emerging from the 2008 Power of In-between conference on the role of intermediaries in evidence-based pro-poor policy and practice.Presented at the 3rd I-K-Mediary workshop at the Institute of Development Studies, November 2009.
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How research brokers and intermediaries support evidence-based pro-poor policy and practice
An analysis of the Locating the Power of In-between Conference
Catherine Fisher, Institute of Development Studies
I-K-Mediary Workshop, Brighton 4th November 09
“information intermediaries are not just one off, short term projects. They are a central and critical part of the development puzzle.”
What we’ll cover
Context of evidence based policy and practice
Where are the intermediaries in that picture?
Discussion
What contribution can intermediaries make?
Recommendations for intermediaries
“…the champion for the issues and ideas emerging from the conference will be the I-K-Mediary Network…”
Context of evidence based policy and practice
Evidence-based policy remains an aspiration if not a reality
Need to look beyond the research-policy connection
Opinion divided on whether plurality of evidence contributes to better decision making
1. An emerging picture: the intermediary as enabler of information flows
Range of actors specifically concerned with info flows and knowledge sharing between actors
Less interested in specific outcomes or decisions
2. Established intermediaries have been joined by new kinds of hybrid intermediary actors
Libraries, extension and media still important
Everyone is an intermediary now!
But emergence of new, deliberate programmes that don’t fit into old categories
“my understanding of intermediary roles has been blown up! There are horizontal roles, vertical roles, one-way, two-way, multi-way, 360 degrees”
3. A range of intermediary roles – engaged and behind the scenes
Just in case and just in time
Both roles needed to make a difference
4. The origins of intermediary actors matter and shape how the role is played
Librarians, extension workers, researchers interpret and play the role differently
Cross fertilisation of ideas is powerful!
5. No universal acceptance that knowledge and information intermediaries are required
Some thought direct connections were more important, no need for brokers
Others question value of multiple perspectives
Just a new bunch of jobs?
Intermediaries contribution
1. Making information edible
Summarising, synthesising or translating
Switching communication channels
Responding to info needs
2. Enabling access
Digitising information
Preserving information
Organising information
3. Creating demand for information
Promoting value of research
Information literacy/capabilities
4. Creating alternative framings
Bringing together non-mainstream material /voices
Highlighting different ways of seeing an issue
5. Supporting marginalised voices to be heard
Showcasing less prominent voices
Searching out less obvious material
Using leverage to create spaces for engagement
6. Making connections between different spheres of action
Between policy formulation, implementation and evaluation
Between different disciplines
Between policy, community and academia
Intermediaries contribution
Discussion questions:
What examples do you know of this different kind of contribution?
In which areas is your service active and how?
Are there types of contribution missing?
Recommendations for intermediaries
Go beyond being a repository
Engage with political nature of the role
Collaborate for info flows
Develop standards and professionalise the role
Remember…
“…the champion for the issues and ideas emerging from the conference will be the I-K-Mediary Network…”
Lets discuss!