Research communications and knowledge management

Research is essential not only for effective polices that are responsive to citizens' needs, but also for innovative and inspiring practices. Communicating research is key part of breaking down the barriers between these three realms.

RAPID sees research communication as a sustained process of dialogue between the spheres of research, policy and practice. Our studies have shown that research programmes, where the initial agenda has been set in collaboration between researchers, policy-makers and practitioners, leads to greater uptake of results and better outcomes for the world's poorest. Our resources and services help researchers acting as policy entrepreneurs synthesise and translate their research into key messages while also considering the route for getting the message across.

Effective use of information, knowledge and learning is central to bringing together knowledge, policy and practice. 

There are many internal obstacles to change and it is vital to work within existing resource constraints towards specific, realistic and measurable goals. Development agencies can benefit from knowledge management strategies and improve organisational efficiency. KM and learning in the development sector can contribute not only to internal effectiveness but also external, to improve responsiveness, partnership and policy influence.