R4D Research Dialogue

Research findings may be widely published in scientific journals, peer-reviewed and academically admired — but are they filtering through to the public, and bringing about tangible improvements to everyday life?

In partnership with www.research4development.info, IPS is seeking to answer these questions, enliven the debate about research, and help to ensure that it does indeed change lives.

Led by IPS Africa, the project seeks to connect the worlds of research and media, bringing often hidden research stories to the mainstream media and general public.

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The new research strategy More on the consultation process View outputs of DFID-funded research

At the recent World Food Summit in Rome, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, announced that DFID will provide £150 million to support international agricultural research over the next five years. £130 million of this is allocated to the Consultative Group for International Agricultural research (CGIAR) and the balance to other international agricultural research organisations which complement the work of the CGIAR.

This major increase in funding to the CGIAR is because the “CGIAR is delivering good research.” It is also dependent upon “significant reform in the CGIAR.” Read more…

CGIAR Science Council Executive Director Ruben Echeverría comments on the additional funding for the CGIAR:

See also short interviews with Adel El-Beltagy and Mark Holderness of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)

See DFID’s Research Strategy on Sustainable Agriculture

The new research strategy More on the consultation process View outputs of DFID-funded research

According to Tag (Mary) McEntegart of INASP, the new DFID research strategy has responded well to the issues raised in the consultation.

She highlights three main issues: the emphasis on horizon scanning, recognition of the key role of research communication, and a willingness to support more risky research.

Share your comments on the strategy

The new research strategy More on the consultation process View outputs of DFID-funded research