Use of evidence in policy and decision making (SGCI 2- EVI- POL PROJECT)

Funder: International Development Research Centre

Status: Ongoing

Description: The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has received a grant from the International Development Research Centre for the “Strengthening the Capacity of Africa’s Science Granting Councils” (Evi-Pol 2) project. Collaborating with the African Centre for Technology Studies, the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, and the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire de l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, UJ leads this initiative. The project’s objectives include supporting Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in reviewing national Science, Technology, and Innovation policies, developing robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks, and establishing data management systems for evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, it fosters peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange among Councils and local STI experts. Led by Prof. Rebecca Hanlin with support from Dr Neville Mangwiro, the Evi-Pol project’s knowledge platform ensures capacity building in the delivery of services requested by SGCs, while the SGCI-2 component promotes mutual learning and addresses policy gaps.

Research team:

• Principal investigator: Rebecca Hanlin
• Researcher: Dr Neville Mangwiro
• Collaborators: African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), and the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire de l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (IFAN-UCAD).

Research outputs:

Evi-Pol 2. (2023) MEL for more effective African Science Granting Councils. [Online]. Available at: https://sgciafrica.org/monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-for-more-effective-african-science-granting-councils/