Linking Research, Policy and Practice

The Share-Net Netherlands Community of Practice ‘Linking Research, Policy and Practice’ aims to be a think-tank to optimise knowledge flows at the nexus of research, policy and practice in the Dutch field of SRHR and HIV and AIDS in international development.

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CoP Objectives

• Creating linkages between research, policy and practice that are not naturally present, and focus on preconditions to strengthen these linkages, especially power dynamics between actors, through activities such as:
  • creating ‘safe spaces’ in which actors feel comfortable to share lessons learned;
  • increasing legitimacy, acknowledgement and value of various forms of knowledge and research;
  • increasing the participation of donors and policy makers in knowledge sharing activities;
  • increasing transparency in the prioritization and funding of SRHR topics;
• Stimulating research relevant for policy and practice and students to develop critical policy and practice perspectives, through activities such as:
  • facilitating interactions and research dialogues between (PhD) students, policymakers and practitioners, including guest lectures and student internships;
  • obtaining a transparent demand for knowledge questions from policy and practice to be answered by students — for example, through research factsheets, speed dating;
• Stimulating research-informed policy and practice through activities such as:
  • content knowledge sharing between (PhD) students, policymakers and practitioners — for example, presenting research findings at annual ‘Linking students and NGOs’ events;
  • process knowledge sharing — for example, developing protocols for student–NGO collaborations;
  • tacit knowledge sharing — for example, master classes on innovative research methods; and
  • explicit knowledge sharing — for example, stimulating translation and sharing of research findings for policy and practice; and
• Seeking ways to strengthen the linking of research, policy and practice in innovative ways, for instance by:
  • exploring the potential of various modes of linking research, policy and practice;
  • ensuring clear objectives are set for all ‘linking activities’, assessing and documenting the extent to which these objectives were indeed met, formulating and sharing ‘lessons learned’ and designing follow-up activities;
  • co-creating knowledge with a variety of stakeholders during meetings and activities of the working group; and
  • identifying gaps in knowledge and formulating research questions .

Every year, this very active group organises many activities, such as its flagship Linking Research, Policy and Practice Conference. The LRPP conference is held annually, typically in the 3rd quarter of the year. Visit our events page to get information about the upcoming LRPP

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Key CoP Resources or Publications

Linking Research, Policy and Practice to Critical Creativity. (2020). English Zine

From Hubs to Bubs: Linking Research, Policy, and Practise to Critical Creativity (2022). English Zine

From Hubs to Bubs: Linking Research, Policy, and Practise to Critical Creativity. (2022) French Zine

From Hubs to Bubs: Linking Research, Policy, and Practise to Critical Creativity. (2022) Spanish Zine

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Interested in Joining?

If you’re interested in getting in touch with this community, feel free to reach out to Bless-me Ajani or register your interest to join by clicking here.

CoP members can access their online working space on Mighty Networks via this link (Share-Net Netherlands members only).

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