The Science for Humanitarian Emergencies and Resilience Student Cohort is split across five universities, and covers a wide range of research topics related to natural…
Collaborating to Convene
23/09/2019
The Global Guide to Research Impact
Caroline started her PhD at the University of Birmingham in January 2018, and is investigating actionable knowledge for disaster risk reduction, looking at the role of collaborative governance in enhancing community resilience. Caroline holds a BA (Hons) in English literature and American studies from Liverpool John Moores University, a nMA in post-1900 literatures, theories and cultures from the University of Manchester, and an MA in environment and development from Lancaster University. She has worked alongside conservation NGOs in Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal, and conducted research as part of a project funded by Lancaster Environment Centre's Seed Fund, collecting preliminary data in the Bangladesh Delta exploring the implementation and cohesion of cyclone-resistant housing projects in rural villages.
Website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/people/dr-students/index.aspx
What does it mean to do research in “difficult places”? 🌍
Jon Harle’s blog series looks at South Sudan, Liberia, and the Somali regions—exploring both the challenges and the possibilities of using evidence in fragile contexts.
Follow the link in our bio to read all three articles 🔗
#ResearchMatters #EvidenceForImpact #GlobalDevelopment #FragileStates #KnowledgeInCrisis #ResearchInDifficultPlaces
Looking back at the #R2AArchive this week...
We have landed upon this 2013 piece by Jorge Benavides on what it really takes to turn research into policy.
Based on his work in Guatemala, Benavides shares 5 key lessons for influencing change:
👉 Politics matters – research alone won’t cut it.
👉 Timing is everything – wait for the right window.
👉 Choose allies wisely – coalitions amplify your impact.
👉 Play the long game – real change takes time.
👉 Frame it smartly – make it a win–win.
His takeaway? Evidence is essential—but without artful engagement, it won’t move the needle.
🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/tfxp50WAE1s (or via #R2AArchive link on Linktree) 🔗
#PolicyChange #ResearchToAction #EvidenceMatters #PolicyInfluence
🗞️ How we tell stories matters.
Our latest blog reflects on Patrick Gathara’s critique of humanitarian storytelling—and how media narratives can uphold the very power structures aid aims to dismantle.
🔍 Big questions:
🧩 Should journalists rethink the stories they tell about crisis?
🧩 Can media and humanitarians work together ethically?
A thoughtful read for anyone passionate about:
🌍 Decolonising aid
📰 Ethical journalism
📣 Amplifying local voices
🔗 Link in bio to read the full blog!
#DecoloniseAid #MediaEthics #HumanitarianNarratives #TheNewHumanitarian #StorytellingMatters #ResearchToAction
Research To Action (R2A) is a learning platform for anyone interested in maximising the impact of research and capturing evidence of impact.
The site publishes practical resources on a range of topics including research uptake, communications, policy influence and monitoring and evaluation. It captures the experiences of practitioners and researchers working on these topics and facilitates conversations between this global community through a range of social media platforms.
R2A is produced by a small editorial team, led by CommsConsult. We welcome suggestions for and contributions to the site.
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