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The ResUp MeetUp community is designed to help research uptake and communication professionals keep up-to-date with this rapidly evolving field.

Emerging from the health sector in the mid-90s, the evidence-informed policy movement has evolved significantly over the last decade ““ especially in the international development and humanitarian aid arena. There has been significant emphasis placed on shifting incentives and building capacities for researchers to better communicate their research findings and engage in policy processes. There have been a number of attempts to strengthen the role of “˜knowledge intermediaries‘ to facilitate the process. And more recently, there is also a growing body of work with policy makers (both within bureaucracies and elected officials) to ensure evidence plays a greater role in policy and practice.

At the same time, technological leaps have changed information flows, access to data, trends and evidence and communication mechanisms. The financial crisis starting in 2008 also brought on new requirements to demonstrate impact and value for money of research (and research uptake) activities and to be able to monitor and evaluate them. And new applications of complexity theory to social and political science have emphasised the need for rapid learning cycles and closer interaction among disparate stakeholders in order to respond flexibly to changing environments.

These activities have all coalesced under the broad tent of “˜research uptake‘ ““ and though the term is not new, in this context there is not a strong sense of what it means in practice. The ResUp MeetUp community advances thinking on the next generation of research uptake, shares learning and best practice, and builds capacity for up-and-coming research uptake professionals.

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new initiative in which you might be interested — the ResUp MeetUp Symposium and Training Exchange.

The ResUp MeetUp community is designed to to help research uptake and communication professionals keep up-to-date with this rapidly evolving field. Our main initiative in 2013-2014 will be a Symposium and Training Exchange dates to be confirmed in Nairobi, Kenya. The event is a partnership between IDS and AFIDEP, with financial support from the UK Department for International Development.

The aim of the Symposium is to explore emerging issues within and develop a deeper understanding of the evolving concept of “˜research uptake’. It will likely include a mix of individual presentations, focused discussions, participatory debates, and keynote speeches.

The Training Exchange will centre around a range of skills associated with research uptake activities. The training sessions will vary in duration, and attendees will be able to choose which sessions to attend. The trainings will be provided by a mix of relevant individuals or organisations for a set fee of ‘ training tokens’. Tokens can either be earned through delivering a training (which is why it is considered a training exchange!) or purchased for US$25 each.

By coupling the Symposium with the Training Exchange, we hope to break down the traditional trainer/trainee dynamics and bring everyone’s shared expertise to the table.

Stay connected to find out more details on the ResUp MeetUp Symposium and Training Exchange.