Given as part of ACES/CSID workshop on "Achieving Research Impact" at the University of Aberdeen in January 2011

1. Immpact is the international
research Initiative for Maternal
Mortality Programme
Assessment
Sept 2002- to date
Goal: to improve the evidence-base for decision-makers on
strategies to reduce maternal & newborn mortality

2. • Funded by DFID, Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation, USAID
• Total award 2002-2008: £20m –
largest single award ever made to
University of Aberdeen
• 7 partner research institutions in North and South (grant
holder and co-ordinating centre at University of Aberdeen)
• At height of field activity, 250 people employed, mostly in 3
low income countries. Max staff at UoA 50.

3. Project cycle 2002-2008+
I. Aim: strengthen the evidence-base on
mortality reduction strategies
II. Main outputs:
IV. Facilitating • New tools;
uptake of • Evidence from
research complex evaluations in
outputs 3 main countries (+ 5);
• Strengthened
research capacity;
III. Dissemination & • Technical advisory
communication arm (Ipact).

4. Crucial GRIPP step
Research Knowledge- Evidence Policy-
priority- generation & translation making
setting dissemination processes
GRIPP: Getting research
into policy and practice
Source: Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research. 2007.

5. Who should do translation of research evidence?
Knowledge brokers aim to provide evidence that is
accessible, timely, credible and trusted, and packaged in
user-friendly format, relevant to the local context.
Knowledge brokers work at the interface between research
organizations and their target audiences.
http://www.research-transfer.org

6. “The role of the scientist is to use research to
ascertain the effectiveness of innovative policies
and programs.
This is in contrast to {their} role as advisor in which
the scientist can indulge in over-advocacy ...”.
Donald T Campbell 1988 The experimenting society.

7. 7

8. Different worlds, different “communities”
Researchers
are from
Venus.
Policy makers
are from Mars.

9. Stakeholders for research evidence are diverse
Media
Funding Research Think Government
bodies institutions tanks bodies
Advocates, civil
society, NGOs,
parliamentarians

10. Conventional research outputs:
•120 journal publications; 3 special journal supplements; 1 book;
•1 international conference; 3 national conferences;
•12 policy briefs;
• 3 websites (+open access to data);
•1 toolkit of measurement instruments;
• 5 PhDs; 7 masters degrees;
• Country reports in English, French & Bahasa;
• CD-based interactive inventory of materials;
• 45 presentations or posters at international conferences.
• short course on monitoring and evaluation (Ipact);

11. Viral film: Birth & Death
www.whiteribbonalliance.org

12. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
WHO, 2004
“Four births and a
funeral”
(or children sitting on

13. “Quality facility
deliveries”
“Ensuring that the care
received is good quality
will enable substantial
additional benefits to be
reaped in terms of fewer
deaths to mothers
& babies.” (p.50)

14. “Free quality services for
women and children at
the point of use …..”
(p.53)
“Strong evaluation
techniques.. ..to
measure progress in
implementing quality
MNCH services and
costs, as well as … lives
saved.” (p.54)

15. Launched 22nd Sept 2010
University of Aberdeen – one of only 14 academic institutions
invited by Ban Ki Moon to publically endorse new Global
Strategy

16. In the next 20 years, India is
projected to become the most
populous nation in the world
India currently contributes a fifth
of the global total of maternal
deaths
Immpact recently invited to
support the GOI in design &
implementation of a Road Map to
improve quality of delivery care in
institutions

17. Creating an enabling environment for GRIPP
• Start from perspective of • Capitalise on personal
decision-makers/end-users contacts, trust & credibility
• Ensure continuity of • Timely findings (planning or
linkages & exchange budget cycles; reforms)
• Communicate effectively
• Promote multiple pathways (filtered/amplified evidence;
to GRIPP & form strategic tailored messaging)
alliances