Room 2 - Models of RCS programming by ARMA UK https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3 Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS) Learning Workshop en-us 2022-04-29 11:41:47 UTC 2025-04-24 10:24:37 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177470052 If I have understood the question, both can be useful.  For individuals, stand alone funding will need to be embedded within an active research programme and good opportunities for mentorship.  Larger scale stand-alone programmes can be good for specific goals, e.g. infrastructural developments and perhaps associated human resource development - say a bioinformatics centre.  For students, embedding within research programmes can be good and provide needed support.  Some funders (such as UKRI) do not support payment of fees, e.g. Masters, PhD, within research project grants, I am not sure why as potentially very valuable and usually a minor cost in a significant programme.]]> 2022-05-10 12:08:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177470052 https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177474198 If a RC programme is being continued over more than one funding cycle, recognition of the need for long-term funding to achieve maximum impact could include a renewal process which favours continuation of successful programmes, rather than having a completely open call each time.]]> 2022-05-10 12:11:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177474198 Funders need to also involve with the LMIC institutions in terms of the funding that is being funded. Most LMIC have issues that are not the same as those that funder exist in. What happens is the research will happen but is not what LMIC instutions require in the long run https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177481882 2022-05-10 12:16:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177481882 addressing inequalities and SDGs such as poverty, gender equality, education, inequality and peace/ security https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177485193 There needs to be a greater understanding within funders of the role of building research capacity in civil society organisations and national universities co-constructing social science research that accesses some of the most marginalised in society. These organisations can also help in the implementation of policies at regional and national levels. This needs reconsideration in the light of the FCDO and GCRF cuts and the scale of funding capacity building programmes that can cut out this important section of society and that can acheive societal impact.]]> 2022-05-10 12:18:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177485193 Standalone will impact on multiple research efforts and are likely to be better value for money. Embedded models benefit from opportunities to 'learn on the job' but have disadvantages because research PIs tend to focus on their primary research and do not necessarily have expertise in systematic and sustainable RCS https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177488339 2022-05-10 12:20:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177488339 Long term funding for collaborations between academic and civil society research partners https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177492998 There need to be long term programmes of co-constructed research that builds social science research capacity with university partners for civil society organisations . This can help to achieve effective and more equitable implementation of national and regional policies, using research evidence and access to the most marginalised in society. With cuts to funding alongside widening inequalities in covid recovery we are missing making progress across SDGs beyond SDG3 and the societal impact that could be achieved. ]]> 2022-05-10 12:23:57 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177492998 Research capacity building with civil society organisations that work with government and can help to access and carry out research with the most marginalised https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177494725 This needs to be funded within the broader networks and models]]> 2022-05-10 12:25:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177494725 RCS activities need to be part of a larger institutional action plan designed to meet the institution's own needs. Ideally the action plan should be preceded by an assessment of research capacity against a benchmark to make sure that critical components are not overlooked. https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177495291 2022-05-10 12:25:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177495291 The goal of the RCS needs to be articulated and a pathway to change (from activities through outputs and outcomes and impact) mapped out at the start https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177496403 2022-05-10 12:26:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177496403 covid recovery and widening inequalities need to be taken into account in the report and recommendations so that there is an emphasis on addressing other SDGs and how to build new futures https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177498591 2022-05-10 12:27:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177498591 Partnerships take time to build and develop so agree with longer term funding https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177501141 Also taking account of the time it takes to achieve meaningful partnerships, leadership by partners in LMICs and societal impact ]]> 2022-05-10 12:29:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177501141 Invest in LMIC Researchers or personnell in terms of resources and capabilities to take the research further or run the research by themselves.. This will makesure continued implementation after the funder or investor goes https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177503925 2022-05-10 12:31:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177503925 Allowing space and time for dialogue between research partners and to co-construct methodologies and work on research impact https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177510486 The socio-ecological/ ecosystem approach of individual, institutional and environmental is useful but you also need mechanisms to connect these - so in a 'changescape' approach you need mechanisms to build spaces for dialogue, communication and learning across partners and contexts.
I helped run a useful ESRC-FCDO joint fund conference called the Power of Partnership with useful messages about how to achieve meaningful partnerships and impact. Also fed into an IDS working paper on partnerships - layered and linking partnerships]]> 2022-05-10 12:35:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177510486 South - South institutions https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177514767 In Uganda we have had a very good interaction between research institute and university - the former with technical strengths, the latter with systems for higher education. (UVRI and Makerere)]]> 2022-05-10 12:38:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177514767 Institutional strategies https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177517304 Need for LMIC institutions to develop their RCS strategies and goals so that they can harness the various funding opportunities to achieve their goals. Also so that they can guide and influence non-LMIC funders on their needs and priorities.]]> 2022-05-10 12:40:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ARMAuk/10vr762itdumybv3/wish/2177517304