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 the SGCI monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities across all thematic areas to ensure that the Initiative remains evidence-based and to draw learning for decision-making, including a more directed focus on the transformative nature of STI policy. The objective also includes activities to support Councils who wish to develop or revise MEL frameworks and plans and help those who 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 Councils to implement those STI policies that were reviewed and/or updated during Evi-Pol 1. It also supports Councils that still wish to review and update their STI policies. This also includes support for policy dialogues related to STI policy review as well as a set of work supporting councils to review and report research impact.
• Support Councils to systematise data for policy
  These activities focus on the research and development (R&D) data component of Councils’ data management systems. Specifically, Councils are being supported to strengthen capabilities to systematically collect, manage, analyse, and use relevant R&D data in policy and decision-making. For Councils that are not mandated to collect and manage R&D survey data, support is provided to develop feasible plans (roadmaps) to 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 website 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 Councils 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. It is a cross-cutting activity across all previous objectives.

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