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Building Performing Social Science Research Systems in Developing Countries

DR Side event at the DEval office in Bonn

The importance of social sciences for sustainable development cannot be understated: in its applied version, social science research offers solutions and recommendations to inform concrete action, contextualizing and furthering understanding of the world’s most pressing development challenges; at the same time, social scientific enquiry questions critically and reflexively development objectives, the experience of development, its means, its narratives, its impact and the validity of the evidence and theories on which development efforts are designed and evaluated, at the local and global level.

This resonates strongly with a conception of local research as development, not just research in or about development. This concept underpins the vision and efforts of many institutions actively working to strengthen social science research systems as a strategic lever for more ownership and capacity in development across the globe.

A side event at the 19th Global Development Conference, 'Knowledge for Sustainable Development: The Research-Policy Nexus' held in Bonn, Germany, explored common challenges and synergies from institutions working on strengthening social science research systems. A group of 35 among global technical agencies, researchers, policy makers and donors discussed the ‘supply’, the ‘demand’ and the interest of donors in a coordinated effort to step up system strengthening work across development countries. 

Download a PDF file with the graphic notes that summarise the three back-to-back sessions:

Graphic Recording - Side Event @ 19th GDN Conference - Title

Graphic Recording of the Side Event named Building performing social science research systems in developing countries - A side event at the 19th Global Development Conference explored common challenges and synergies from institutions working on strengthening social science research systems

Session 1: 'Moving forward: current efforts and future synergies,' addressed the following questions: What tested approaches and frameworks already exist for strengthening research systems across countries? What partnership model do they rely on? What points of contact and potential synergies exist across different programs?  

Graphic Recording - Side Event @ 19th GDN Conference - Session 1

Graphic Recording of the Side Event named Building performing social science research systems in developing countries - A side event at the 19th Global Development Conference explored common challenges and synergies from institutions working on strengthening social science research systems

Session 2: 'Strengthening national social science research systems: Views from domestic stakeholders,' addressed the following questions: What are the perceived issues and needs of research systems in developing countries, from the perspective of those in charge of strengthening them? What is the role of international partnerships, beyond funding? What is the balance between international and domestic mobilisation of resources and support that can be sustained?  

Graphic Recording - Side Event @ 19th GDN Conference - Session 2

Graphic Recording of the Side Event named Building performing social science research systems in developing countries - A side event at the 19th Global Development Conference explored common challenges and synergies from institutions working on strengthening social science research systems

Session 3: 'The case for a global alliance: what kind of global alliance for research systems strengthening would be likely to be supported?' addressed the following questions: What type of broad partnership, shared funding models and coordination mechanisms are viable for international donors interested in strengthening research systems in the global South? What role do donors expect to play? What do they expect to happen?

Graphic Recording - Side Event @ 19th GDN Conference - Session 3

Graphic Recording of the Side Event named Building performing social science research systems in developing countries - A side event at the 19th Global Development Conference explored common challenges and synergies from institutions working on strengthening social science research systems

Download graphic summaryAgenda & List of participants | Get involved with the program | Contact Francesco Obino, Head of Programs