Knowledge, Policy and Power in International Development: A Practical Guide

Description

This book presents an academically rigorous yet practical guide to efforts to understand how knowledge, policy and power interact to promote or prevent change.It offers a power analysis perspective on the knowledge-policy process, illustrated with rich empirical examples from the field of international development, combined with practical guidance on the implications of such an approach. It provides ways to identify and address problems that have hampered previous attempts to improve the space between knowledge and policy; such as difficulties in analysing political context, persistent asymmetric relationships between actors, ignorance of the contributions of different types of knowledge, and misconceptions of the roles played by intermediary organisations. Most importantly, the book gives readers the ability to develop strategies for negotiating the complexity of the knowledge-policy interface more effectively, so as to contribute to policy dialogues, influence policy change, and implement policies and programmes more effectively.The authors focus on the dynamics of the knowledge-policy interface in international development; offering novel theoretical insights and methodological approaches that are applicable to a broader array of policy arenas and their audiences, including academics, practitioners and students.

Harry Jones is a Research Fellow in the RAPID (Research and Policy in Development) team at ODI where he specialises in issues related to the knowledge-policy interface, especially the political economy of the demand for research, and on evaluation, complexity and results. Dr Nicola Jones is a Research Fellow in the Social Development Programme at ODI who has published widely on knowledge, policy and power dynamics. Louise Shaxson is a research fellow at ODI and an associate of the consultancy company Delta Partnership. She works in the UK and overseas, analysing and advising on a broad range of issues to do with evidence and policy." David Walker is a Research Officer in the Social Development Programme at ODI who has published on policy dynamics and cross-cutting social issues.

"This book provides many insights into how researchers and practitioners can work better together in addressing complex policy issues. The conceptual approach is very helpful in making sense of the intersection between knowledge and policy, research and practice and the book has great value for wider audiences in policy studies and social research." Professor Brian Head, University of Queensland "Pfeffer describes politics as the study of power in action. This book takes this view seriously and brings an important and new perspective to bear on the knowledge to policy debate." Fred Carden, International Development Research Centre, Canada