In a fast changing world, development progress is complex: solutions are neither simple nor obvious. There is growing recognition among research and policy communities that flexible and adaptive approaches are the best way to address this complexity, and to deliver sustainable and inclusive change.
Decision-making is inherently political. And in a so called ‘post-truth’ world, the relationship between evidence and decision-making is becoming even more challenging. But, at the same time, the rise of populist politics and attacks on aid are likely to be driving some donors towards simpler, more technocratic, definitions of impact. Accountability to funders and value for money may squeeze out complexity thinking and learning.
This panel debate event asks a diverse panel of donor, academic and non-governmental organisations: how do you navigate this tension to inform your day-to-day decision-making?
Register to join this event in person or online
Contributing chair
- Louise Shaxson @LouiseShaxson – Research Fellow, Research and Policy in Development, ODI
Speakers
- Gina Porter – Senior Research Follow, Department of Anthropology, University of Durham
- Irene Guijt @guijti – Head of Research, Oxfam
- Nasreen Jessani @NasreenJessani – Associate, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
- Melanie Knetsch @Mel_Knetsch – Strategic Lead for Innovation and Interdisciplinarity, Economic and Social Research Council
Join in the conversation and debate now on Twitter with #evidence4impact.
Event Partners
The event is jointly hosted by the Institute of Development Studies, the Research and Policy in Development programme at the Overseas Development Institute and International Institute for Environment and Development.
Photo credit: ODI’s Earthquakes without Frontiers (EwF), learning about earthquake science in Nepal. Nick Rosser, the Department of Geography, Durham University, 2016
Key contacts
