This document provides an overview of a workshop on approaches and methods for policy process research. The workshop aims to 1) increase the capacity of CGIAR research programs (CRPs) to generate policy-relevant evidence and 2) increase the likelihood that evidence is effectively used by decision makers. The workshop will feature presentations from leading experts on policy process research and engagement. CRPs will highlight their policy process research and identify opportunities to engage in policy processes. The expected outputs include working papers, a community of practice, and guidelines on analyzing policy processes, engaging in them, and evaluating research contributions to policy change. The agenda outlines presentations and working group sessions over three days to achieve these goals.

1. Workshop on approaches and
methods for policy process research
Background and process

2. Why this workshop?
• Motivation
– Increased emphasis in CGIAR on showing
contribution of research to development
outcomes, including policy change
• Goals:
– 1) Increase the capacity of CRPs to generate
policy-relevant evidence and
– 2) to increase the likelihood that evidence is
effectively used by decision makers

3. Workshop activities
• Learn from leading experts on policy
process research and engagement
• Highlight policy process research in CRPs
• Identify policies processes in which CRPs
seek to engage
• Collectively identify opportunities, gaps,
challenges, and implications for CRP
research

4. Expected outputs
• Working papers/special issue
• Network or community of practice
• Guidelines/toolkit
– Analysis of policy processes
– Engaging in policy processes
– Evaluating contribution of research to
policy change

5. 9-9:15
9:15-10:15
10:15-10:30
10:30-11:30
Monday November 18
Welcome and introduction Karen Brooks and Stuart Gillespie
Keynote Presentation
David Pelletier, Cornell University: “Nutrition Policy Processes”
Break
Keynote Presentation
John Thompson, Future Agricultures Consortium and Institute of Development
Studies, UK: “Analysing and Understanding Agricultural Policy Processes in Africa”
11:30-12:00
12:00-1:00
1:00-2:00
Workshop background and process (Nancy Johnson)
Lunch
CRP Studies: Methods
Chair: Danielle Resnick
Purnima Menon, IFPRI-New Delhi
Christian Henning, University of Kiel and Jonathan Mockshell , Univ Hohenheim
2:00-3:00
CRP Studies: Scalar elements of policy process
Chair: Katrina Kosec
Gea Galluzzi
Blake Ratner, WorldFish and Elias Madzudzo, WorldFish :
3:00-3:30
3:30-5:30
5:30 – 7:00
Break
Working groups - 4BC, 4A, 5A
Reception

6. 9:00-9:15
9:15-10:15
10:15-10:30
10:30-11:30
11:30-12:30
12:30-1:30
1:30-2:30
2:30-3.00
3:00-3:30
3:30-5:30
Tuesday November 19
Highlights from Day 1 and introductions: John McDermott and Ruth Meinzen-Dick
Keynote Presentation
Ed Heinemann, IFAD: “IFAD’s experience and emerging approach for engaging in
national policy processes”
Break
Keynote Presentation
Sanjeev Sridharan, University of Toronto: “Research and evaluation in global health
policy processes”
CRP studies: Engaging actors in the policy process
Chair: Nuzhat Ahmed
Mariam Mapila, IFPRI-Malawi
Rafael Parra-Peña , CIAT
Lunch
CRP studies: Engaging non-traditional stakeholders and cross-sectoral collaboration
Chair: Phil Dobie
Tewodaj Mogues and Lucy Billings, IFPRI
Hung Nguyen, Hanoi School of Public Health and Lucy Lapar, ILRI
Report back from Day 1 working groups
Break
Working groups 4BC, 4A, Executive conference room (behind reception)

7. 9-9:15
9:15-10:30
10:30-11:00
11:00-12:00
12:00-1:00
Wednesday November 20
Report back from Day 2 working groups and planning to finalize workshop
outputs
Policy Process Research Under Construction: How to Evaluate the Influence
of Research on Policy
Chair: Mywish Maredia
Devesh Roy, “Research influences in India’s Food Security Bill”
Danielle Resnick, Discussant
Break
Future Directions of Policy Process Research
Chair: James Garrett
Alcido Wander: “EMBRAPA Policy process work: Reflections on the
workshop”
Francesca Nelson: “IITA Policy Process work on aflatoxins: Reflections
on the workshop”
Suresh Babu, IFPRI: “Measurement of Policy Process—What Role for
Indicators and Indices?”
Discussion
Reflections, Knowledge gaps, Priorities, Next steps and Close