Understanding Research Impact

Cristina Rumbaitis del RioRegional Programme Manager, Action on Climate Today

March 9, 2016

This is what we usually mean….

A story of Science Impact

Source: http://www.rachelcarson.org/TimelineJS.aspx

Lessons:• 28 years from first research

evidence to (partial) action• It required moving out of science

and into journalism and advocacy / activism• Rachel Carson (and others) were

vilified in the process.

What now?

More recent lessons research impact• Time horizon for moving from research to action are compressing• We have better understanding of how people and organizations learn & make

decisions• Engaging hearts and minds• Selecttive use of evidence / bias• Learn from failure as well as successes; • Greater focus on the “user” “demand-side”; Rapid prototyping & user-oriented design• Understanding incentives and disincentives, preferences throughout the system

• Mass media, open data sharing is often a factor• Often there is a shift in “ownership” of the issue from research to journalism /

advocacy/ activism /politics• This is easier in some fields (e.g. health) more than others.

Lessons from Action on Climate Today (and beyond) • Technical inputs ≠ reports• Governments looking for ideas, safe experimentation, validation

& appreciation• Quality, consistency of engagement & trust matter• Competition can be a motivator for action (as long as it doesn’t

erode trust)• Engaging political level can accelerate change, but you need to

proceed carefully, with clear eyed understanding of incentives, alignment and misalignments.

• Engagement above and below (senior and junior levels)• Patience & persistence, change is often quite incremental.• Enduring partnerships for sustainability

Thank you!