Overcoming barriers to research use in international development organisations: learning from an action research project

ABSTRACT Development policymakers and practitioners face a range of challenges to using research. This paper draws on an action research project that aimed to investigate the individual and organisational drivers that contribute to, or inhibit, greater use of research in international development organisations, and test strategies to shift them. We convened a group of practitioners and researchers from 12 diverse international development organisations to undertake action research projects within their own organisations. Analysis of the portfolio of action research projects identified five organisational factors which are the basis for improving research use and 15 practical strategies for implementing organisational change. Taken together, these organisational factors and strategies can assist in improving the integration of research in international development organisations and support more evidence-based policy, programming, and advocacy.