IWMI/WRC Research Uptake Workshop inga jacobs

1. The WRC’s approach to research uptake and the
WRC Knowledge Tree
Inga Jacobs
12 – 13 March 2014
Lombardy Hotel, Pretoria

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WRC Vision
To have highly informed water decision-making through science
and technology at all levels, in all stakeholder groups, and
innovative water solutions through research and development for
South Africa, Africa and the world.

3. Knowledge dissemination and uptake
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Knowledge dissemination and ensuring better
uptake of water science is central to all WRC
activities. Initiatives/products include:
Reference group system
Technical, Policy and Ministerial Briefs
Lesson plans
Workshops, conferences, dialogues
Knowledge dissemination and sharing networks
Water Wheel
Videos, press releases
Impact studies
Technical manuals and guidelines
WRC 101 courses…

4. The medium term results for specific beneficiaries that
are a logical consequence of achieving specific outputs
The long term developmental results at a societal level that is
the logical consequence of achieving specific outcomes
The final products, or goods and services
produced for delivery
The processes or actions that use a
range of inputs to produce the desired
outputs and ultimately outcomes
The resources that contribute
to the production and
delivery of outputs
Guiding frameworks
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Figure 3. Government Guide to Outcome Approach, May 2010 (Source: www.thepresidency.gov.za)
IMPACTS
OUTCOMES
OUTPUTS
ACTIVITIES
INPUTS
What we aim to change?
What we wish to achieve
What we produce or deliver
What we do
What we use to do the work

5. Re-orientating our focus away from only
end products to process as well
Impact - the demonstrable contribution that excellent
research makes to society and the economy (academic,
economic, societal); recorded or otherwise auditable
occasion of influence from academic research on another
actor or organisation.
Uptake – the process where research findings enter the
domains of intended but also unintended audiences; 'the
process of becoming aware of and accessing research
outputs, and the institutions, policies, systems and
mechanisms supporting this process'.
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6. The way in which impact is viewed at
the WRC
Strategic:
WRC Knowledge Tree
Institutional:
Impact/Outcome-based
indicators
Functional:
WRC Projects

7. The WRC Knowledge Tree
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8. Transformation and redress
Growing PDI involvement/leadership in projects, as well
as helping to promote development through the
reduction of poverty and inequality in South Africa
Example: Extending a hand to extension officers
WRC-funded research had determined that the current level of training presented by
tertiary organisations to extension workers for the tasks that they have to perform on
irrigation schemes is inappropriate in the majority of cases. This formed the basis for this
project, which developed and interactively tested learning material for the capacitating of
extensionists in the promotion of efficient use of irrigation water by smallholder farmers.
Example: Growing PDI research leadership
Increase in the number of PDI project leaders in research projects
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9. Sustainable development solutions
Providing sustainable development solutions that have had positive
effects on the environment, economy and society including:
protection of water resources, optimal water use, equity between
generations, current equitable access, environmental integration and
good governance
Example: Tackling food insecurity and malnutrition
In an important WRC study the nutritional water productivity of foodstuffs was
determined. The result is an index for a given food product that includes nutrient-
based output per unit water use. This knowledge can be used to promote the
production of those food products that may contribute to closing the nutrient gaps in
vulnerable communities while simultaneously leaving a sustainable water footprint.
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10. Informing policy and decision-making
Appropriate evidence-based knowledge generated to guide
decision-making, influencing the development of policy,
practice or service provision, shaping legislation, altering
behaviour, contributing to the understanding of policy issues,
reframing debates
Example: State of Non-Revenue Water
.
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11. Human Capital Development in the
water and science sectors
Evidence of support to train students or to train and mentor
new research leaders.
Example: Supporting SA’s future engineers
The WRC became the main sponsor of the Aqualibrium Schools Water Competition,
hosted by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). The competition,
which celebrated its ninth year in 2012, tasks school teams to design a model water
distribution network, to distribute three litres of water equally between three points on
a grid using two different diameter pipes and connection pieces.
Example: Support to 494 students in 2013/14 financial year
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12. New products and services for economic
development
Contribution to job creation, economic development through
the development of innovations
Example: Managing olive industry wastewater
The latest WRC project developed a scaled-up system through the construction and
commissioning of a dedicated containerised wastewater treatment plant and research
facility on-site at Buffet Olives farm, in the Western Cape. The plant, a stand-alone
skid-mounted, end-of-pipe system, served as a demonstration model for
commercialisation and roll-out to other farms.
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13. Key questions for discussion
• When should impact and uptake be evaluated?
Timing of evaluating research impact presents
a challenge.
• With whom does the responsibility of impact
lie? The researcher vs the funder?
• Contribution is as hard to measure as
attribution.
• Does/should a research impact constitute a
change in outputs, activities or social
outcomes as a result of that influence? Uptake
is a lot of things that do not have to be
measured - but should be understood.
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14. Thank you
ingaj@wrc.org.za