1. Policy Research and Practice Ratna M. Sudarshan ISST, New Delhi Dec 12, 2008

2. The Scope of ‘Policy Research’ Evidence based analysis on questions of policy relevance Includes evaluations of programme outcomes Various forms of communicating findings other than academic publications – policy briefs, presentations, etc (wider scope than just ‘research’)

3. The environment of policy research Policy research organisations/ ‘think tanks’ Private consulting firms Market research organisations University academics (some?) NGOs Individual activists and researchers

4. Implications of dispersed R2P environment ‘Social engagement’ as well as ‘relevance’ in research Activists seeking to influence both research and policy agenda (eg informal economy) Questioning technocratic research methods, favouring mixed methods, giving value to field insights and experience New ‘protocols’ with researchers and activists working in partnership Networks As well as business models of research And mainstream PROs

5. Complementarity Issues/ social engagement Mainstream PROs and universities are the ‘formal sector’ in research Experience and field based insights do not always reach this formal sector Potential of NGO research is in  Creating a culture of research, democratising research  Integrating experience with scientific analysis

6. PROs, NGOs, Consultants The ‘business model’ of research not in tune with values of either ‘academic research’ or ‘action based research’ However often a means of survival especially in the NGO sector

7. Areas of conflict Allocation of resources Role of civil society in influencing policy  Independence and bias  Quality of research

8. Networks Connecting researchers across space and location Policy networks usually national although research/ practice networks increasingly international Government initiated: PC WGs; PIN – NREGA NGO led, with sectts – CBGA, ASER Informal, issue or project based

9. Ways forward Concentrate all PR into mainstream PROs Support action based research organisations to undertake research on prioritised issues of concern Support thematic networks including PROs, NGOs, etc Support research in partnership with activists other?