The document discusses the role of research for development (R4D) platforms as essential environments for addressing complex socio-economic issues in humid tropics, emphasizing multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovation. It outlines challenges in aligning research with policy and development processes, aiming for relevance and adaptability to local needs. The paper advocates for a shift from project-oriented to process-oriented research, underscoring the need for flexibility, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of diverse disciplinary perspectives.

1. Research for Development (R4D) Platforms
Conny Almekinders, KTI, WUR
May 21, 2013, Bukavu
Science for impact in Humid Tropics

2. Why R4D
What it means for role of researcher
R4D platforms

3. Contribution of research to policy and development
processes is questioned
● Research is not used ‘correctly’ or ‘abused’
● There is a mismatch between demand and supply
● Research does not reach (enough) stakeholders
Increased acknowledgement of complexity / need for
innovation and learning
● Enhance the contribution of research to policy,
development and action
● Technology requires re-organisation of socio-
organisational networks
Why R4D?

4. From:
● Successful generation, transfer, adoption and
diffusion of technology
● Research(ers) driven
● Institutions and politics are external
To:
● System’s capacity to generate and respond to
change
● Resilient multi-level networks and platforms
● Enabling environments for change
● Research and non-research
Re-defining research

5. R4D platforms can function as a space or enabling
environment for exploring pathways to deal with
complex problems...
Humidtropics R4D platforms as catalyst for change and
action
Unpacking system complexity
● International
● Regional
● National
● Subnational
● Local
● Biophysical
● Socio-cultural
● Economic
● Institutional
● Political
● Policymakers
● Researchers
● Farmers
● Private sector
● NARS

6. R4D platform can spawn different IP
Dry resistant Bt maize for climate
adaptation in Nicaragua
Parasitic weeds in
rainfed rice
farming in
Tanzania
R4Dtoincreasefoodsecurity,
reducepoverty,etc.

7. Align research with existing innovation, policy or
development processes
Continuously reconcile demand and supply of research
Facilitate R4D and Innovation Platforms
Progress M&E
Generating ‘new’ knowledge is important, but may also
not always be necessary
Multi-stakeholder research: Increase quality and
ownership of research
Role of research modified

8. Basic incentives for involvement
Flexibility (RQs, planning, budget, mandates, outcomes,
stakeholder involvement)
Understanding, commitment (passion), engagement, co-
ownership (excitement for a common goal)
Everybody invests
Urgency/ relevance
● Align with what is already going on
Momentum and champions
Space for success and failure, for collaboration,
negotiation and conflict
What are the prerequisites

9. Increased complexity/ uncertainty: open processes
New roles, obligations and mandates for research(ers)
From project-oriented to process-oriented research
Flexibility and dynamic research configurations
New research approaches (action research) without
undermining the value for more traditional research
approaches
Need to remain credible, legitimate and relevant towards
multiple stakeholders
Stakeholder inclusion/ exclusion, representation and
engagement
Implications & challenges for research

10. What are R4Ds?
R4D platforms can function as a space or enabling
environment for exploring pathways to deal with
complex problems...
Humidtropics R4D platforms as catalyst for change and
action

11. Both are:
● Multi-stakeholder platforms for collaboration,
learning and action
● Enabling environments or incubators for innovation
● Negotiation and action-oriented
IPs can be organised around thematic, systems, techno-
logical, geographical or sectoral (value chain) issues:
● Climate Change (theme)
● Biotechnology (technology)
● River basin management (multi-level)
● Rice, wheat, maize, etc. (commodity)
R4D platforms and IP?

12. What are R4Ds?
R4D platforms can function as a space or enabling
environment for exploring pathways to deal with
complex problems...
Humidtropics R4D platforms as catalyst for change and
action

13. My definition of an R4Ds?
a group of researchers of different disciplines (you?!)
complemented with a selected representation of
stakeholders
to enables you to re-investigate, better understand and
re-define the problem(s) you want address in an action
site.
To arrive at a fuller understanding of the (complexity of
the) problem
new stakeholders may have to be included in order to
define useful/effective interventions. R4D platforms may
transform in IPs?

14. What WUR can contribute?
Back up research in the diagnostic phase
Support in designing/implementation platform processes
Analysis of the platform dynamics/processes; the
unfolding of innovation
Thinking through and analysing up-scaling processes
How:
Smart partnerships
MSc and PhD students, postdocs (in collaboration with
African Univerisities?)