Evidence in Policymaking

Evidence for Policy goals

The Evi-Pol project’s overall objective is to strengthen the capacity of Science Granting Councils to use data and evidence in policy and decision-making. In so doing, we enable Councils to enhance their roles as policy champions nationally and regionally.
The specific objectives of this thematic area are to:

• Support the SGCI to develop and implement MEL plans
  This includes supporting the implementation of SGCI monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities across all thematic areas to ensure that the Initiative remains evidence-based and to draw on learnings for decision-making, including a more directed focus on the transformative nature of STI policy. The objective also includes activities to support SGCs seeking to develop or revise MEL frameworks and plans and help those that want to implement revised/ newly introduced MEL plans developed under Evi-Pol 1.
• Support Councils in STI policy review and implementation
  Support is provided to SGCs to implement those STI policies that were reviewed and/or updated during Evi-Pol 1. SGCs that still wish to review and update their STI policies are also supported. This includes support for policy dialogues related to STI policy review as well as work supporting councils to review and report on research impact.
• Support Councils to systematise data for policy
  These activities focus on the research and development (R&D) data component of SGCs’ data management systems. Specifically, SGCs are being supported to strengthen capabilities to systematically collect, manage, analyse, and use relevant R&D data in policy and decision-making. For SGCs that are not mandated to collect and manage R&D survey data, support is provided to develop feasible plans (roadmaps) for digital data management, as resources become available, and to improve data governance policy and practice.
• <Support peer-to-peer learning among Councils
  The SGCI’s STI Policy Helpdesk assists Councils in filling knowledge, evidence, and data gaps through an online portal enabling them to access researchers across the African continent. A selected number of short learning exchange visits between Councils are also planned.
• Support peer-to-peer learning among Councils
  The SGCI’s STI Policy Helpdesk assists Councils in filling knowledge, evidence, and data gaps through an online website enabling them to access researchers across the African continent. A selected number of short learning exchange visits between SGCs are also planned.
• Deepen GEI considerations in the project
  MEL, R&D data, and STI policy efforts by Councils and SGCI level MEL include gender, equality and inclusion (GEI) indicators. This is a cross-cutting activity across all previous objectives.

Contact: Professor Rebecca Hanlin – rebeccah@uj.ac.za