Opinion
Where does research stop and development start?
Malcolm Dickson
Livestock and Fish Review and Planning Meeting
March 23-26 2015
Virtual

‘Be yourself; everyone else is already taken’1
• We know who the CG Centers are but what about L&F;
do we really know who we are?
• Here’s the CG framework:
1 Oscar Wilde
 We cannot
achieve higher
level goals on our
own
 Need to work
with
development
partners

Research-development continuum
• Pure research: ‘Focussed on greater knowledge or understanding of
the fundamental aspects of a phenomenon’ - research without an
immediate application in the field
• Applied research: ‘Systematic enquiry involving practical application of
science’ - in our case, identifying research issues, carrying out basic
research to resolve them, pilot testing, measuring outcomes
• Development: ‘The systematic use of scientific and technical
knowledge to meet specific objectives or requirements’ - in our case,
taking research results and scaling up the approaches in the field

Research roles and responsibilities
Universities NARS CRPs/CG
centers
Private
sector
NGOs
Pure research +++ + + ++ -
Applied
research
++ +++ +++ +++ +
Development + ++ + +++ +++
• Of course we are not the only players
• A matrix comparing roles and responsibilities for
different research actors might look like this

How can we define our role more clearly?
‘And would some Power the small gift give us, to see
ourselves as others see us’2
• Need to look at the overall context, not just our own
capacity in each value chain or country
• Identify our qualities/USPs
– We are scientists; test hypotheses, set up experimental
frameworks, encourage peer review. Good at establishing what
works, where. Good at documenting and communicating.
– We are not-for-profit. Honest brokers. Understand profit motive
but not slaves to it. Good at building trust, acting as facilitators.
– We spread knowledge. Networkers, multi-disciplinary, multi-value
chain, international, links to a wide range of VC actors. Knowledge
is an IPG not a weapon. Good at inspiring others to participate and
collaborate
2 Robert Burns

Study &
identify
Plan &
execute
Write up
and inform
Research cycle
Adoption Scaling up
Development
L&F scientists play a
central role
L&F scientists play a
complementary role
as the ‘science’ partner
Research vs. development

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. The CGIAR
Research Program on Livestock and Fish aims to increase the productivity of small-scale livestock and fish systems
in sustainable ways, making meat, milk and fish more available and affordable across the developing world.
CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish
livestockfish.cgiar.org