{"id":2840740,"date":"2023-07-28T07:17:48","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T12:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/articles\/\/"},"modified":"2024-02-28T09:44:50","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T14:44:50","slug":"reimagining-knowledge-translation-in-the-global-south-implications-for-practitioners-and-funders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/articles\/reimagining-knowledge-translation-in-the-global-south-implications-for-practitioners-and-funders\/","title":{"rendered":"Reimagining knowledge translation in the Global South: implications for practitioners and funders"},"content":{"rendered":"

We must expand our understanding of knowledge translation (KT) beyond its traditional boundaries. This would open up possibilities for more innovative, comprehensive and effective approaches to transferring knowledge. Ultimately, this could lead to better-informed decisions and to policies that better serve the needs of communities, especially in the Global South.<\/span><\/p>\n

OTT recently published a report on KT in the Global South<\/a>. We worked with the <\/span>Institute of Development Studies (IDS)<\/span><\/a> (our partner); the <\/span>International Development Research Centre (IDRC)<\/span> (the project’s funder); and the members of a learning journey, who were drawn from across the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

We initially defined KT as: \u201cintentional interventions involving dialogue between a range of relevant actors to encourage or support the use of research-based evidence to inform behaviours.\u201d <\/span>+<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We chose this working definition carefully, considering the impact and meaning of each word,<\/span> to convey that KT isn\u2019t linear or unidirectional. We also wanted to convey the centrality of the behaviour of people and organisations in offering the support and encouragement needed to get things done.<\/span><\/p>\n

We then used this definition to identify experts and practitioners in the field, cases for us to study in great depth, and examples of KT translation taking place in multiple contexts. Our study revealed the necessity of rethinking how we understand and practice KT, particularly in relation to the Global South.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research findings<\/b><\/h1>\n

Our investigation found no universally accepted definition of KT among field experts and practitioners. Many equated it with other concepts, like research uptake or evidence-informed policy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In hindsight, I think this was one of our most important findings. It may be useful to create multiple categories to describe things and to decide what to fund and how to run projects, but, in practice, these categories don\u2019t always make sense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For those on the front line, what matters is the <\/span>purpose<\/b> of their work. And their immediate purpose is to ensure that decisions on matters of public interest are well-informed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Call it whatever you want \u2013 translation, uptake, brokering, use, etc. \u2013 I take this as a direct challenge to how we organise ourselves and our work. Paraphrasing what the late Peter Da Costa once told me: Are we doing what works for us, or are we doing what\u2019s really necessary?\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

This leads me to the first of <\/span>four key takeaways<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. We need to seriously rethink the way we\u2019re building the field, asking ourselves, is it useful?<\/b><\/h4>\n

This links to another key finding from our research, the recognition that no single group can be solely responsible for effective KT.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The practitioners we engaged with and the cases we gathered suggest that KT is not confined to a specific role or profession, such as communication practitioners. A clear example of this is the role of African academic researchers. They helped to incorporate unpublished research from Africa into the <\/span>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\u2019s (IPCCC\u2019s)<\/span><\/a> report by publishing academic research based on it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This example showcases that KT does not only involve translating from researchers to policymakers. It can also involve translation among researchers, thereby breaking the conventional mould of what we view as KT.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. We need to view KT not as a separate process but as an intrinsic part of everything we do in the broad field of evidence-informed decision making: from setting research agendas to disseminating our results and using evidence.\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

In our globalised world, access to KT tools and competencies isn’t exclusive to any one region. Our study showed that there isn’t a skills divide between the Global North and South. Proficient analysis, competent writing, innovative design and effective use of evidence are possible everywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not always useful, therefore, to divide the world along this already vague line. Good KT practice can be found everywhere and it can be adapted and copied in a global marketplace. Further efforts to study and support the field should not divide the world; instead, they should seek to be inclusive of multiple expertise and experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the context within which this takes place and the critical mass of analysts, writers and designers, etc., may differ across regions, especially between the Global North and South.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Contextual factors significantly affect the practice of KT.\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

We chose to describe the Global South as a space marked by weaker institutional structures, where KT faces unique challenges, such as limited public funding for science and research, structural inequalities and political landscapes dominated by vested interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not to say that many parts of the Global North do not also face these challenges \u2013 but the scale and magnitude of these are patently different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it’s important to note that contextual factors aren’t only institutional or macro-level. Micro-level factors can also shape the KT process, as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n