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RAPID logoResearch and Policy in Development (RAPID)

For almost a decade, ODI’s Research and Development programme (RAPID) has been working to understand the relationship between research, policy and practice and promoting evidence-informed policy-making. We use insights from our research to provide practical expertise, to help develop skills and competencies for policy influence.

Working with different policy actors and in diverse political contexts, RAPID has collected a range of resources, case studies and widely recognised tools to help infuse research in policy and practice. In addition to the RAPID framework for analysing political context, we have also developed the RAPID Outcome Mapping Approach (ROMA) to policy influence. The programme has seen its approaches field-tested and refined at hundreds of workshops around the world: from Zambia and the Philippines, to Peru and Denmark.

Workstreams

RAPID's work can be divided into two streams:

Understanding the links between policy and practice

 

Practical tools to improve skills and capacities

Walking through maze (Source: ailatan, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/osiatynska/3516409498/)

  • Expanding upon the RAPID framework, RAPID investigates areas that may contribute to or limit the ability for knowledge to play a role in policy and practice.

 

Gambian school child writes on blackboard (Source: h2oalchemist, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/h2oalchemist/414924312/)

  • RAPID believes in using findings and practical experience to develop new competencies and skills for policy entrepreneurs.

What we work on

RAPID has undertaken research and advisory work, and produced tools in the following areas:

Think tanks and policy research institutions

 

Networks and partnerships

Oragami interlacing (Source: fo.ol, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/forresto/2647342483/)

  • The political, socio-economic and cultural context of think tanks all play a key role in their evolving relationship with policy-making.

 

Women working together (Source: vredeseilanden, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/vredeseilanden/491264799)

  • Individual researchers or organisations can have greater impact by working collaboratively.

Policy engagement

 

Research communications and knowledge management

Choosing the other way (Source: Davic, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/davic/2526920923/)

  • Researchers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and think tanks wishing to infuse policy with research must be more active and strategic when engaging with policy processes.

 

Women on the radio (Source: Ami Vitale / World Bank, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/1196394152/)

  • Communicating research and knowledge is essential to breaking down the barriers between research, policy and practice.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning

 

Project management

Maxway Electronics Shenzhen (Source: malaqa.com.ar, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/malaqa/)

  • Monitoring, evaluating and learning are necessary to develop or maintain an organisation's capacity to inform and influence both policy and practice.

 

Scaffolding (Source: kevindooley, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2201791390/)

  • Implementing the right projects, at the right time, and in the right sequence.

Additional information

All publications and other resources

  

Events and workshops
 

Our partners

  

Projects
 

Team list and contact details