TRANSFORMING RESEARCH EVIDENCE INTO INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.

The Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIP Lab) is the first Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) policy laboratory in the Philippines. We aim to bridge the gap between research and public policymaking.

Background and Significance of the Study

In most instances, research results do not speak for themselves. Policymakers and development practitioners rely on objective and meaningful interpretations of evidence to arrive at actionable solutions to challenges faced by communities. In turn, policy interventions need to be scientifically informed to be effective (Schaal, 2017). If the voluminous science-based information generated by the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network (NAARRDN) of DOST-PCAARRD are to be optimally utilized for policy decision-making, capacities need to be strengthened in the regions for policy actors and stakeholders to take part in the uptake of research evidence into policy and development practice.

CPAf-UPLB’s Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS) proposes the establishment of a policy laboratory that will not only build capacities on policy analysis and advocacy but also promote engagement of various stakeholders in an inclusive co-production of solutions for the attainment of development goals of communities.

The DIP Lab will be valuable to DOST-PCAARRD’s policy analysis and advocacy initiatives. The DIP Lab for instance could provide support in the whole advocacy process such as in the stakeholders’ consultation and analysis, consensus building, and translating research results into advocacy agenda. Some of the policy advocacy projects supported by DOST-PCAARRD that would benefit from the policy lab are on the adoption of watershed ecosystem framework in land use planning, ecotourism-based management for Laguna de Bay, and more appropriate and simplified regulation for sustainable utilization of almaciga resin. The policy lab would also support DOST-PCAARRD’s vision to create a critical mass of researchers in the regions who will engage in policy design and advocacy through training and mentoring programs.

In addition, the DIP Lab will work complementarily with the Socio-Economics Research and Data Analytics Centers (SERDACs) in the Region and the Socio-Economics Research and Data Analytics Laboratory (SERDAL) in UPLB. While SERDAL will focus on employing data analytics in forecasting and development of other models for the agriculture and aquatic industries, the Policy Lab will center on using such models for policy advocacy or advisories. On the other hand, any needs for data analytics shall be provided by SERDAL to the DIP Lab for better policy design and as support to the latter’s capacity development component. Meanwhile, SERDACs will be the DIP lab’s partners in its capacity development initiatives in different regions of the country.

Ultimately, the policy lab envisions to establish teams set up specifically for innovative activities for public policymaking. Such teams are deemed as a mix of designers, researchers, policymakers, experts, and other stakeholders working on short-term and long-term, small and large projects to transform evidence to policy at different levels. Given the realities of our times, the policy lab will be prepared to not only be a conducive physical space set up for the purpose of conducting workshops or other activities for policymaking, but also, a facility that is capable of having virtual activities. This policy lab will also be a “hub” for data, digital tools, and design ideas for effective and science-informed policymaking.

Project Objectives

This project aims to enhance the capacities of producers and consumers of AANR research to transform sound evidence into innovative solutions for societal development. Specifically, it aims to:

  1. Develop a system of curating, retrieving, analyzing, transforming, and sharing policy data into knowledge resources that could guide policy research and decision making for the development of the AANR Sector;

  2. Enhance capacities of the DOST-PCAARRD’s NAARRDN in policy analysis and advocacy;

  3. Reinforce the implementing strategies of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded policy analysis and advocacy projects

  4. Create a neutral space that encourages collaborative learning and co-creation of policy innovations among experts, policy decision-makers, community organizations, and other stakeholders; and

  5. Cultivate intellectual and public discourse, as well as fresh thinking to influence policies.