About our program

The inspiration for this research program comes from the experience of Dr. Brian Belcher, working in a research-for-development context. Brian noticed a common frustration among researchers who were expected to demonstrate the “impact” of their projects for donors and funding bodies, yet had no systematic way to  monitor and evaluating the effectiveness of their work. Brian began developing tools and approaches to support accountability needs and learning needs as part of his work with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the Forests, Trees and Agroforestry Consortium Research Program (FTA) and the larger Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). In 2013, Brian was awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair to develop a dedicated research program on this issue.

Understanding the effectiveness of research is not a simple task. Research processes, especially in social-ecological contexts, are complex. There are many pathways from research to outcomes, and they can be difficult to identify. Much of the current emphasis on understanding and evaluating research effectiveness focuses on the economic impact of research. Demonstrating the ability of research to contribute to real-world problem-solving is becoming more sought after.

Our program pursues a better understanding of the components of research effectiveness, and how the design and implementation of research can be relevant, credible, legitimate, and effective at achieving outcomes.

Program Goals:

1) Develop an international network of collaborators with a focus on impact and effectiveness in sustainability research;

2) Develop, apply, and test evaluation approaches and methods for transdisciplinary research, building on emerging ideas as well as theoretical and practical experience in related fields;

3) Analysis and evaluation of selected livelihoods, community resilience, and sustainability research projects/programs; and

4) Recommend improved approaches and methods for transdisciplinary research evaluation and impact assessment.