Institute of Development Studies
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Knowledge Services
Global Knowledge for Global Change
Networks and partners
We take a collaborative and partnership approach with most of our work to improve local relevance, increase its reach and strengthen capacity and learning - ours and that of our partners.
They include:
We are working in partnership with AfricaAdapt and ALIN to produce Joto Afrika, is a bilingual series of printed briefings and online resources about adapting to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AfricaAdapt is a multilingual (English, French and African languages) knowledge sharing Network for climate change adaptation in Africa. AfricaAdapt promotes online and offline knowledge sharing among researchers, NGOs, donors, policy/decision makers, vulnerable groups, for climate change adaptation for the benefit of vulnerable groups and communities.
Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN)
We are working in partnership with AfricaAdapt and ALIN to produce Joto Afrika, is a bilingual series of printed briefings and online resources about adapting to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is an international NGO that facilitates information and knowledge exchange to and between extension workers or infomediaries and arid lands communities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The information exchange activities focus on small-scale sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, natural resources management and other livelihood issues.
Development Research Network (D.Net)
Our long-standing relationship with D.net began as a positive exchange at the World Summit on the Information Society, in 2005, and a desire to share experiences on getting research into policy and practice using ICTs. Since then, we have organised staff exchanges between the UK and Bangladesh, and we are co-producing Protifolon, a briefing series which highlights research from Bangladesh. Executive Director, Dr Ananya Raihan is also a founding member of the I-K-Mediary Network.
D.Net is a non-profit organization, which envisages to use information and communication technology (ICT) for economic development of Bangladesh.
Global Development Network (GDN)
BLDS offers a free Document Delivery to research organisations in the South, enabled by our partnership with GDN. Journal articles, documents and book chapters are scanned and emailed in PDF format to recipients within 48 hours of the request.
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR)
BLDS established a metadata exchange with the Open Index Initiative led by the Indira Ghandi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) in Mumbai, India. We are supplying each other with enhanced catalogue records in order to enrich the information available in each library's catalogue and profile relatively unknown Indian development journals. Additionally, Deputy Librarian, Shamprasad Pujar, was Commonwealth Professorial Fellow at IDS in 2008, and is a founding member of the I-K-Mediary Network.
The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) aims to promote and conduct research on development (in its economic, technological, social, political and ecological aspects) from a broad inter-disciplinary perspective and to gain insights into the process of development and alternative policy options and to disseminate the knowledge so gained.
in 2007, IDS Knowledge Services helped to found the I-K-Mediary Network, a global network of organisations that play a knowledge and information intermediary role in development. These organisations all aim to increase access to and use of research in development contexts by providing portals, gateways or reporting services.
Information Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP)
We are working closely with INASP on a number of projects, including developing our Information Capability programme.
INASP works with partners to support global research communication through innovation, networking and capacity strengthening, focusing on the needs of developing and emerging countries.
Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa (ITOCA)
Over 2009-2010, we worked closely with ITOCA to incorporate learner-centred approaches and information capability approaches into their existing training programme. Director, Gracian Chimwaza is a member of the MK4D International Advisory group.
ITOCA is aimed at providing, promoting and building capacity for scientists, researchers and information professionals on the use of electronic resources in Sub Sahara Africa (SSA).
International Initiative for Impact Evaluations (3ie)
We are working with 3ie on the Evidence Matters, a briefing series providing syntheses of impact evaluations. Launched in November 2011, Evidence Matters briefings provide a synthesis of systematic reviews: these use explicit, rigorous and transparent methods to look at both published and unpublished research and aim to provide policymakers and practitioners with aim to provide with unbiased assessment of what works and why.
We are proud to be working with the National Library of Malawi on the Malawi Development Exchange, an innovative online and face-to-face forum which aims to share and debate the latest in development and research, from Malawi on Malawi. We have been supporting this project with technical provision and through mentoring and capacity building support. The National Library Service (NLS) aims to ensure access to reading and information materials for people throughout Malawi.
We have been working closely with the Noragric team since 2006, delivering a service which reports on publications from Norwegian researchers and development practitioners, with a focus on agricultural and environmental issues. We have using the Eldis and Eldis Communities platforms to support this service.