Drivers of scientific attention on the Caribbean-endemic terrestrial herpetofauna: implications for conservation, research policy and capacity building

Chasms in charismatic species research: Seventy years of carnivore science and its implications for conservation and policy in India

Knowledge brokering is showing significant potential as a means of increasing the use of research in policy making. Using research to inform policy making is critical to achieving policies that are ‘evidence-based’ and result in policy outcomes that have greater potential to address the ‘wicked’ social problems that governments are facing. Research provides governments with the knowledge to make sense of policy problems, develop policy solutions and evaluate their effectiveness. Despite extensive attention given to better understanding the barriers and facilitators to research utilisation, the use of research to inform policy decisions remains elusive. Advocates of a close relationship between the ‘two communities’ of policy makers and researchers believe this relationship is the key to effective policy formulation based on sound research. Knowledge brokering is emerging as a promising means of linking, and facilitating exchange, to form effective relationships between the ‘two communities’ of academics and policy makers, building on interactive models of the policy making process. More specifically, knowledge brokering is the human component of knowledge mobilisation, using relationships to move knowledge between policy makers and academics. In doing so, knowledge brokering works to overcome the barriers that hinder research utilisation. While there has been an increased interest in the past decade in understanding and defining the activities of knowledge brokering, the role and effectiveness of knowledge brokering in moving research into the policy making process is unclear. Furthermore, much of the focus in the literature to date is on knowledge brokering activities carried out by individuals, but the dependence of these knowledge brokering activities on the organisational context in which these individuals operate has largely been ignored in the literature. Hence, the study of knowledge brokering organisations may be very important in understanding how knowledge can be effectively transferred between knowledge producers and users. To address the research problem, two separate yet related research components were undertaken, and these research components are described across three core sections of this thesis. Part A of the thesis provides the essential conceptualisation and operationalisation of the research questions based on current debates within the extant literature on knowledge mobilisation and knowledge brokering. Part B of the thesis analyses surveys and in-depth interviews with policy officials and social scientists to make conclusions on the perceived need for, and existence of, knowledge brokering roles and activities in the movement of knowledge into the policy making process in Australia. A typology of organisations that operate in a knowledge brokering capacity in Australia has been developed. Part C adopts a multiple-case study design to investigate one type of entity operating in a knowledge brokering role within key public policy areas in Australia – research-focused intermediary organisations. While very few studies of this model of organisational knowledge brokering exist, their potential is acknowledged in the literature. In doing so, the research explores the role and activities of research-focused intermediary organisations, and draws conclusions on their role and effectiveness in moving research into the policy making process. The research undertaken for this thesis shows there is a notable movement toward knowledge brokering activities in the social sciences within Australia. It has reconfirmed the potential and need for knowledge brokering activities that facilitate knowledge mobilisation between policy makers and academics. The research indicates that organisational knowledge brokering, and in particular research-focused intermediary organisations, offer the greatest potential for building a culture in academic and policy institutions that supports the use of research in policy making, and thereby show potential in policy agenda setting. The most substantial contributing factor to the development of this culture is capacity building, one of the core functions of knowledge brokering. Research-focused intermediary organisations are best placed to achieve long term and sustained use of research in policy making because they have the attributes, including adequate resources, required to extend and promote capacity building activities. The contribution of this research to the extant body of knowledge on knowledge brokering has three elements. Firstly, in looking in detail at organisational models of knowledge brokering and in particular research-focused intermediary organisations, it provides a more detailed account of this model than is found in existing literature. Secondly, using a framework of activities undertaken within knowledge brokering, it draws conclusions on where the focus should be to achieve effective utilisation of research in policy making. Finally, the overview of the varying types of organisational knowledge brokering activity confirms its diversity, using Australian examples, and provides a strong foundation for further empirical work on the broader activity of knowledge brokering and, in particular, organisational forms of knowledge brokering.

The state of health research worldwide

Direction and Scope of the <i>European Psychologist</i>

Capacity building in health research generally, and helminthiasis research particularly, is pivotal to the implementation of the research and development agenda for the control and elimination of human helminthiases that has been proposed thematically in the preceding reviews of this collection. Since helminth infections affect human populations particularly in marginalised and low-income regions of the world, they belong to the group of poverty-related infectious diseases, and their alleviation through research, policy, and practice is a sine qua non condition for the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Current efforts supporting research capacity building specifically for the control of helminthiases have been devised and funded, almost in their entirety, by international donor agencies, major funding bodies, and academic institutions from the developed world, contributing to the creation of (not always equitable) North–South “partnerships”. There is an urgent need to shift this paradigm in disease-endemic countries (DECs) by refocusing political will, and harnessing unshakeable commitment by the countries' governments, towards health research and capacity building policies to ensure long-term investment in combating and sustaining the control and eventual elimination of infectious diseases of poverty. The Disease Reference Group on Helminth Infections (DRG4), established in 2009 by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), was given the mandate to review helminthiases research and identify research priorities and gaps. This paper discusses the challenges confronting capacity building for parasitic disease research in DECs, describes current capacity building strategies with particular reference to neglected tropical diseases and human helminthiases, and outlines recommendations to redress the balance of alliances and partnerships for health research between the developed countries of the “North” and the developing countries of the “South”. We argue that investing in South–South collaborative research policies and capacity is as important as their North–South counterparts and is essential for scaled-up and improved control of helminthic diseases and ultimately for regional elimination.

Where is the policy in health policy and systems research agenda?

It is 20 years since an international consultation in Lejondal, Sweden, highlighted the need for more and better research understand and improve how societies organize themselves in achieving collective health goals, and how different actors interact in the policy and implementation processes to contribute to policy outcomes. (1) One outcome was the creation of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research. (1) There have since been several important milestones on the path towards more and better health systems research. The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research found its home at the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998 and subsequently issued a series of reports on health systems. (2,3) Health systems research entered the mainstream of global health policy--not only at WHO (4) and the World Bank, (5) but also with the founding of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in 2000, (6) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 2002. Ministerial meetings on health research, in 2004 and 2008, (7) increased the demand for--and the national priority given to--such research. In 2010, a biennial global symposium on health systems research was initiated and this development led to the first global society of health systems researchers: Health Systems Global. More recent efforts in low- and middle-income countries--e.g. the establishment of a knowledge platform in India (8)--are indicative of a shift towards systems thinking at national level. Such encouraging developments need to be carefully balanced against areas where progress has not met expectations. The development of national capacity for financing and institutional leadership of health policy and systems research has been slow. (9) Such research also remains constrained by several common challenges--e.g. the complexity of health systems, the context specificity of research findings and the large numbers of disciplines and epistemological perspectives involved. (10) Looking forward, however, we see a brighter future for health policy and systems research. Sustainable development goal (SDG) 3--particularly its target of universal health coverage--has promoted the establishment of common performance metrics against which the relative effectiveness of alternative policies and programmes can be compared. There is a growing global interdependence in health--as reflected by infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus that requires systems' knowledge and public health investments in global readiness. The rapid growth seen in the health sector is raising systems-wide demand for knowledge and innovation to improve value for money and overcome inefficiencies related to high prices, lack of equity and poor quality. Finally, the paradigm shift towards patients being recognized as the co-designers and co-creators of their own health and health care is raising the demand for evidence that would make it possible to navigate the promises and perils of accountable care, personalized medicine and big data. How can health policy and systems research seize this favourable context and contribute more effectively to universal health coverage, greater health security, improved value in health and effective engagement of citizens? First, we need a comprehensive review of the progress that has been made and the progress that might be anticipated in the future. Second, we need to accelerate the development of capacity and opportunity for health policy and systems research in low- and middle-income countries. …

Objective To review the policy and ethical implications of recent research on the molecular genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method MEDLINE and psyclNFO database searches were used to identify studies on the genetics of ADHD. The implications of replicated candidate genes are discussed. Results The findings for most genes have been inconsistent but several studies have implicated the genes in the dopaminergic pathway in the aetiology of ADHD. Conclusions The current evidence on the genetics of ADHD is insufficient to justify genetic screening tests but it will provide important clues as to the aetiology of ADHD. Genetic information on susceptibility to ADHD has the potential to be abused and to stigmatize individuals. Researchers and clinicians need to be mindful of these issues in interpreting and disseminating the results of genetic studies of ADHD. Key words: ADHD, ethics, genetics, policy implications.

Introduction Strengthening research capacity in developing countries is aimed at generating and translating knowledge into policy decisions to improve health systems and increase equitable access to health services in the population. (1) The International Health Policy Program (IHPP) in Thailand has strengthened health policy and systems research capacity in the Ministry of Public Health since 1998 and has sustained its capacity for a decade. This paper analyses and illustrates the experience of building and sustaining capacity in health policy and systems research in Thailand to provide lessons for developing countries. We found that international and national collaboration were important in strengthening research capacity but that migration of well-trained health professionals impeded sustainable capacity development. (2) While individual training was an entry point in capacity building, challenges remain on how to enhance the research environment to sustain the individual's capacity and interest so as to maximize their contribution. (3) Building capacity IHPP was established in 2001 through a memorandum of understanding between the Health Systems Research Institute and the Ministry of Public Health. It emerged from the Thailand Research Fund's Senior Researcher Scholar (SRS) programme in health economics and financing. Two rounds of 3-year institutional grants to SRS and other funding sources have been meaningful in building capacity in health policy and systems research. Since 1998, SRS has recruited young professionals with a strong public health background for research apprenticeships to conduct policy-relevant research under the mentorship of senior researchers before their placement for doctoral training. Long-term fellowships have been sought from WHO and other competitive sources. The WHO Country Office and IHPP have jointly managed the fellowship programme since 2000. International collaboration with the Health Economics and Financing Programme at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine since 1993 and other networks in Europe and North America has been an important platform for long-term capacity building, especially in granting Doctors of Philosophy (PhDs). Of the 36 WHO long-term fellowship grants approved in the 10-year period since 1998, 17 were masters degrees, 5 certificates and 14 doctoral degrees. There was a zero attrition rate and no international loss. All fellows returned upon graduation to serve mostly in the Ministry of Public Health and a few universities. This successful return rate was an asset for sustaining capacity development. IHPP researchers and post-doctoral contributions have been significant. Publication performance has increased especially in international journals, from two papers in 2001 to 13 papers in 2006. Policy impact was just as important as publication rates. Recent major reforms for universal coverage relied on strong human capacity in health policy and systems research as well as synergistic political and civic society movements. (4,5) The main contributions of IHPP were cost studies, the estimation of budget requirements for the universal coverage scheme in its implementation phase and a manual for analysis of hospital financial status and performance. In addition, several IHPP partners, such as the European Union-supported Health Care Reform Office, the Center for Health Equity Monitoring, Naresuan University and the Health Systems Research Institute, contributed to the policy decisions. Based on parameters applied by Gonzalez Block, (6) Table 1 summarizes the evolution of Thailand's health policy and systems research capacity and its outcome. Sustaining capacity The critical factor in sustaining research capacity was the selection of young professionals for research apprenticeships and long-term fellowship placements. It was vital that they had a good track record of commitment, especially towards rural health services. …

To examine how and why a South-South capacity development and networking program for leadership, research, practice and advocacy on maternal new-born, child and adolescent health and health policy and systems strengthening in West Africa and Cameroon worked and identify lessons for low- and middle-income countries. Single qualitative case study drawing on data from document review, observations, key informant interviews and a deliberative workshop. Ethics approval for primary data collection was obtained from the Ghana Health Service Ethical Review Committee (GHS-ERC 012/10/18). West Africa and Cameroon. Researchers, policy and programme managers and frontline health workers. Networking and capacity development. The programme made good progress in implementing many but not all planned capacity development and networking activities. The opportunity to network with other organisations and individuals and across countries, disciplines, and languages as well as to learn, to develop skills, and obtain mentorship support, were considered valuable benefits of the partnership. Human and financial resource constraints meant that not all planned interventions could be implemented. Lessons for health policy and systems research capacity building in LMIC include the potential of South-South partnerships, the need for dedicated resources, the potential of Sub-regional health organizations to support capacity building and recognition that each effort builds on preceding efforts of others, and that it is important to explore and understand where the energy and momentum for change lies. The work described here has been funded by IDRC Canada under research grant # 108237 "West and Central African partnership for maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health research."

Economic Reforms and Food Security

BackgroundOver the past decade, substantial global investment has been made to support health systems and policy research (HSPR), with considerable resources allocated to training. In Canada, signs point to a larger and more highly skilled HSPR workforce, but little is known about whether growth in HSPR human resource capacity is aligned with investments in other research infrastructure, or what happens to HSPR graduates following training.MethodsWe collected data from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada’s national health research funding agency, and the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research on recent graduates in the HSPR workforce. We also surveyed 45 Canadian HSPR training programs to determine what information they collect on the career experiences of graduates.ResultsNo university programs are currently engaged in systematic follow-up. Collaborative training programs funded by the national health research funding agency report performing short-term mandated tracking activities, but whether and how data are used is unclear. No programs collected information about whether graduates were using skills obtained in training, though information collected by the national funding agency suggests a minority (<30%) of doctoral-level trainees moving on to academic careers.ConclusionsSignificant investments have been made to increase HSPR capacity in Canada and around the world but no systematic attempts to evaluate the impact of these investments have been made. As a research community, we have the expertise and responsibility to evaluate our health research human resources and should strive to build a stronger knowledge base to inform future investment in HSPR research capacity.

How can meta-research be used to evaluate and improve the quality of research in the field of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine?

This study assessed tourist satisfaction and its links with tourist attractions and infrastructure at the following six protected areas on the Northern Tourist Circuit of Tanzania: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, and Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 185 tourists visiting the protected areas. Satisfaction ratings for the Northern Circuit were high, with 86% of tourists willing to be repeat visitors. Tourists were attracted primarily to wildlife viewing. Although most tourists were not influenced to visit the region by indigenous culture or physical features, 81% of tourists noted that non-wildlife attractions enhanced their tourist experience. A range of ways to develop more sustainable forms of tourism emerged from the work, including lengthening stays, guide/driver capacity building, and partnership working with tour operators to improve marketing, increase satisfaction rates, and diversify the product.

This article is an outcome of the desk study on “The Human Ecology of Wetlands in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Time of Climate Chang: Policy Implications for Wise Use and Conservation of Wetlands.” Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems on Earth because of their unique hydrologic conditions and their role as ecotones between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Although many uses and values of wetlands are evident, historically wetlands have been regarded as wastelands which if possible, should be turned into something else that would be more useful. As a result, wetlands have been drained, turned into agricultural land, and commercial and residential developments at an alarming rate. The general objective of the study is to evaluate the status of wetlands in LDCs in time of climate change and identify policy and strategy implications. The findings of the study confirm that mainstreaming climate change adaptation and mitigation into sustainable development and natural resources conservation efforts of least developed countries (LDCs) is of paramount importance for conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands in time of climate change. In conclusion, this review confirmed that deep wetlands generally capture carbon dioxide from and release methane to the atmosphere and the combination of these two fluxes determines whether these countervailing processes make a wetland system an overall contributor to the greenhouse effect. Moreover, both natural processes and human activities are responsible for the predicted wetland losses in least developed countries. Least Developed Countries may benefit from sustainable utilization and conservation of wetlands by responding to implications like anticipatory and systematic ‘Climate Change integrated Conservation Strategies’ in time of climate change. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}