Nalaka Gunawardene - Belling the Policy Cats - Talk to PEER Science Asia Conference - Bangkok 3 Oct 2013
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The document discusses the importance of effective communication between researchers and policymakers to improve the impact of development research. It emphasizes the need for better knowledge brokering and the role of various media in facilitating dialogue and understanding. Additionally, it highlights the challenges faced by policymakers and suggests strategies for engaging them in meaningful ways.
![Example 2: Evidence-based advocacy
in ICT policy & regulation
LIRNEasia: regional think
tank studying ICT policy &
regulation in emerging
Asian economies
Looking at (among
others):
Telephone use at bottom
of (income) pyramid [BOP]
Broadband quality of
service: telcos promises vs.
users’ reality
Dr Rohan Samarajiva,
Chair & Founder CEO](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/nalakagunawardene-bellingthepolicycats-peerscienceconf-bangkok-3oct2013final-131009233644-phpapp01/85/Nalaka-Gunawardene-Belling-the-Policy-Cats-Talk-to-PEER-Science-Asia-Conference-Bangkok-3-Oct-2013-23-320.jpg)
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Nalaka Gunawardene - Belling the Policy Cats - Talk to PEER Science Asia Conference - Bangkok 3 Oct 2013
- 1. Belling the ‘Policy Cats’: How Can Communication Help? By Nalaka Gunawardene Science Writer, Columnist & Blogger Director, TVE Asia Pacific nalakagunawardene.com PEER Science Participants’ Conference 1 - 4 October 2013, Bangkok, Thailand
- 2. Asking a few Questions… What DO policy makers want? What role for ‘knowledge brokers’ in S&T outreach? How to get heard – and noted - amidst the Global Cacophony? How to know if/when we have influenced debate/policy? Why do some kites fly better? Examples
- 3. Cartoon by Justin Bilicki http://www.justinbilicki.com/#Political-Cartoons
- 5. The Bigger Picture… Research is but one voice in the knowledge ‘ecology’ relating to policy & practice Research isn’t something ‘we’ do and then communicate to ‘them’ Search for answers & solutions has become more participatory & nuanced… Improving the impact of development research through better research communications and uptake AusAID, DFID & UKCDS funded global workshop in London, Nov 29 – 30, 2010 Full Report: http://tiny.cc/R4DCom
- 6. The Bigger Picture… Need to improve the SUPPLY of robust research…to guide both policy & practice Value of NEUTRALITY of evidence amidst so many lobby & advocacy groups Improving the impact of development research through better research communications and uptake AusAID, DFID & UKCDS funded global workshop in London, Nov 29 – 30, 2010 Full Report: http://tiny.cc/R4DCom
- 7. www.scidev.net Free access website journalistically covering science & technology for global development News, views & analysis Focus on developing countries & regions Backed by Nature, Science & TWAS + aid agencies & foundations www.scidev.net
- 8. What DO policy makers want? To understand how to mainstream science evidence & tech innovation for development Global survey by SciDev.Net, LSE & partners: 3,000 responses + 600 interviews + focus groups in SEAsia Probing how ‘knowledge brokers’ in S&T operate in different developing regions Many insights from policy makers & policy influencers on how they seek, find & use evidence 4 policy Full Report: tiny.cc/SDNGR12
- 9. Among key findings… 70% respondents use evidence for ‘personal knowledge building, keeping up to date with certain topics’, than only for delivering specific activities Harder to discern impact! Report: tiny.cc/SDNGR12
- 10. Among key findings… Challenges of policy-makers: Lack of human or financial resources to act Lack of economic implications of research findings Lack of sources that offer S&T info in readily usable manner for public engagement Perception that public lacks interest in S&T Report: tiny.cc/SDNGR12
- 11. “My policy-maker doesn’t understand me!”
- 12. Making Your Voice Heard: Engaging Policy Makers (+Public) Direct outreach Producing newsletters Writing to newspapers or news magazines Own websites (free public access) Social media: Own/group blog, Twitter, etc. Collaborative outreach: Work with journalists, filmmakers, TV producers Sharing with mass media rights-free material (with remixing allowed) Allowing privileged access to science journalists
- 13. TVE Asia Pacific (TVEAP): A ‘knowledge intermediary’ Asian regional non-profit media foundation, est. 1996 Using broadcast TV, video & web to communicate development Journalistic story-tellers: work with researchers, educators & civil society Helping them engage audiences (peers, policy makers, wider public) Anchored in Sri Lanka, covering developing countries in Asia Pacific
- 14. Communication Many methods, processes, strategies, channels & technologies Mass Media Print: text-based Radio: audio-based TV/Video: audio-visual New media Convergent media
- 15. Media-based communication… Necessary but not sufficient This alone may not lead to policy or social change BUT…it’s very useful to: Trigger discussion/debates Create ‘ripples’ Inspire chain reactions Not an end by itself… …but a useful beginning
- 16. ICT/media context 2013… Photo by Louie Psihoyos, www.psihoyos.com
- 17. Information Society marches on…
- 18. TVE Asia Pacific approach: Make them well & set them free! Co-produce authentic & accessible science & development content Short & slick preferred Based on science -- but not too immersed in it! Set them free: no copyright restrictions at all! Peddle them on multiple platforms & outlets
- 19. Example 1: Research leader distils findings & links them to policy
- 20. Colin’s StraightTalk Dr Colin Chartres, former DG, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), CGIAR network Web videos on policy implications of IWMI’s research in Asia & Africa Colin’s StraightTalks: 5-7 mins each www.youtube.com/user/ iwmimedia
- 21. Colin’s StraightTalk #5 (Aug 2010): Water Storage: An Answer to Climate Change Play video available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqtqa1F9E3k
- 22. Colin’s StraightTalk: Our learning from 2009-11 Scripted - yet presented in an informal style Field-based talks visually more appealing Accepting uncertainty is fine: limits of knowledge Some topics gain more traction than others online: how to predict? Practice makes it better!
- 23. Example 2: Evidence-based advocacy in ICT policy & regulation LIRNEasia: regional think tank studying ICT policy & regulation in emerging Asian economies Looking at (among others): Telephone use at bottom of (income) pyramid [BOP] Broadband quality of service: telcos promises vs. users’ reality Dr Rohan Samarajiva, Chair & Founder CEO
- 24. Fraudband or Broadband? Summing up 2 yr research project to monitor & evaluate quality of service of broadband services in some Asian economies Research leader looks at outreach & advocacy experience
- 25. Fraudband or Broadband? (2011) Play video available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hndR91vvvFs
- 26. Multi-country (South & Southeast Asia), Multi-year Large sample surveys: Quantitative + qualitative By LIRNEasia & partners http://lirneasia.net Asia’s Telephone Revolution @Bottom of the Pyramid
- 27. Teleuse@BOP: Lourdes Casipit Metro Manila, The Philippines (2008) Play video available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLDJs_Vs1RA
- 28. Teleuse@BOP: Poonam Devi Samasthipur, Bihar, India (2011) Play video available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdUdM39Z0Hk
- 29. Courtesy: Dr Rohan Samarajiva, LIRNEasia From presentation at CPRSouth in Mauritius, Sep 2012
- 30. Courtesy: Dr Rohan Samarajiva, LIRNEasia From presentation at CPRSouth in Mauritius, Sep 2012
- 31. TVE Asia Pacific’s own learning: Communicating 4 Policy Change One size doesn’t fit all: need to customise! Influencing public/policy: slow, incremental process! Keep turning up, speaking out Under-rated value of PASSION! Debate everyone with courtesy Live with uncertainties & gaps in knowledge
- 33. Communicating 4 Policy Change: Learnings – contd. Mass media proliferation + new media rise audiences fragmented & distracted Niche outreach possible, but harder to catch lots of eyeballs Like kite-flying: after investing all creativity & effort, it all depends on winds! Web is like a 24/7 kite festival…
- 34. When our ‘kites’ DO fly… Joy & rewards can indeed be high! Photo courtesy: photography.nationalgeographic.com
- 35. My favourite Questions to researchers… What drives you? What keeps you awake at night? What happens next?
- 36. Blog: nalakagunawardene.com Sunday newspaper column: http://collidecolumn.wordpress.com Twitter: NalakaG Email: [email protected] TVE Asia Pacific: www.tveap.org Opinions all personal Images used in good faith Thanks….
- 37. All examples used here + plenty more can be viewed free & in full at… www.youtube.com/TVEAPfilms May we tell your story?