wrc’s strategic approach to research uptake for impact and the wrc knowledge tree

The WRC’s approach to research uptake and the

WRC Knowledge Tree

Inga Jacobs 12 – 13 March 2014

Lombardy Hotel, Pretoria

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WRC Vision

To have highly informed water decision-making through science and technology at all levels, in all stakeholder groups, and

innovative water solutions through research and development for South Africa, Africa and the world.

Knowledge dissemination and uptake

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Knowledge dissemination and ensuring better uptake of water science is central to all WRC activities. Initiatives/products include:

Reference group system

Technical, Policy and Ministerial Briefs

Lesson plans

Workshops, conferences, dialogues

Knowledge dissemination and sharing networks

Water Wheel

Videos, press releases

Impact studies

Technical manuals and guidelines

WRC 101 courses…

The medium term results for specific beneficiaries that are a logical consequence of achieving specific outputs

The long term developmental results at a societal level that is

the logical consequence of achieving specific outcomes

The final products, or goods and services produced for delivery

The processes or actions that use a range of inputs to produce the desired outputs and ultimately outcomes

The resources that contribute to the production and delivery of outputs

Guiding frameworks

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Figure 3. Government Guide to Outcome Approach, May 2010 (Source: www.thepresidency.gov.za)

IMPACTS

OUTCOMES

OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS

What we aim to change?

What we wish to achieve

What we produce or deliver

What we do

What we use to do the work

Re-orientating our focus away from only end products to process as well

Impact - the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy (academic, economic, societal); recorded or otherwise auditable occasion of influence from academic research on another actor or organisation.

Uptake – the process where research findings enter the domains of intended but also unintended audiences; 'the process of becoming aware of and accessing research outputs, and the institutions, policies, systems and mechanisms supporting this process'.

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The way in which impact is viewed at the WRC

Strategic:

WRC Knowledge Tree

Institutional:

Impact/Outcome-based indicators

Functional:

WRC Projects

The WRC Knowledge Tree

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Transformation and redress

Growing PDI involvement/leadership in projects, as well as helping to promote development through the reduction of poverty and inequality in South Africa

Example: Extending a hand to extension officers

WRC-funded research had determined that the current level of training presented by

tertiary organisations to extension workers for the tasks that they have to perform on

irrigation schemes is inappropriate in the majority of cases. This formed the basis for this

project, which developed and interactively tested learning material for the capacitating of

extensionists in the promotion of efficient use of irrigation water by smallholder farmers.

Example: Growing PDI research leadership

Increase in the number of PDI project leaders in research projects

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Sustainable development solutions

Providing sustainable development solutions that have had positive effects on the environment, economy and society including: protection of water resources, optimal water use, equity between generations, current equitable access, environmental integration and good governance

Example: Tackling food insecurity and malnutrition

In an important WRC study the nutritional water productivity of foodstuffs was

determined. The result is an index for a given food product that includes nutrient-

based output per unit water use. This knowledge can be used to promote the

production of those food products that may contribute to closing the nutrient gaps in

vulnerable communities while simultaneously leaving a sustainable water footprint.

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Informing policy and decision-making

Appropriate evidence-based knowledge generated to guide decision-making, influencing the development of policy, practice or service provision, shaping legislation, altering behaviour, contributing to the understanding of policy issues, reframing debates

Example: State of Non-Revenue Water

.

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Human Capital Development in the water and science sectors Evidence of support to train students or to train and mentor new research leaders.

Example: Supporting SA’s future engineers

The WRC became the main sponsor of the Aqualibrium Schools Water Competition,

hosted by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). The competition,

which celebrated its ninth year in 2012, tasks school teams to design a model water

distribution network, to distribute three litres of water equally between three points on

a grid using two different diameter pipes and connection pieces.

Example: Support to 494 students in 2013/14 financial year

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New products and services for economic development Contribution to job creation, economic development through the development of innovations

Example: Managing olive industry wastewater

The latest WRC project developed a scaled-up system through the construction and

commissioning of a dedicated containerised wastewater treatment plant and research

facility on-site at Buffet Olives farm, in the Western Cape. The plant, a stand-alone

skid-mounted, end-of-pipe system, served as a demonstration model for

commercialisation and roll-out to other farms.

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Key questions for discussion • When should impact and uptake be evaluated?

Timing of evaluating research impact presents a challenge.

• With whom does the responsibility of impact lie? The researcher vs the funder?

• Contribution is as hard to measure as attribution.

• Does/should a research impact constitute a change in outputs, activities or social outcomes as a result of that influence? Uptake is a lot of things that do not have to be measured - but should be understood. 29-Apr-14 File name 14

Thank you ingaj@wrc.org.za