Funding from development agencies for research projects is integral for trying to reduce global poverty, but often short-term funding produces short-term results which are hard to track in the terms of a positive impact. But what are the benefits of long-term funding of a long (‘longitudinal’) piece of research, policy analysis and policy engagements in supporting pathways to zero poverty.
In this episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast we look at an ‘accompanied’ approach to sustaining poverty reduction through long-term research. It focuses on work undertaken by the IDS-hosted Chronic Poverty Advisory Network (CPAN) in Zambia, and draws on insights from the project’s funder – the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partners from the World Bank and researchers in Zambia.
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Leading the podcast is Vidya Diwakar, Deputy Director of the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network. In the podcast she talks to:
- Joseph Simbaya, a Research Fellow and Director of the Institute of Economic and Social Research at the University of Zambia who talks about the project research findings and what was the problem this piece of research was trying to solve.
- Makda Abebe, Senior social protection specialist at the World Bank about her earlier work with FCDO especially in Ethiopia and Zambia. Makda talks on what makes this type of long-term collaboration around poverty reduction evidence and policy engagement worth it and how can it best be replicated, if it is sufficiently valuable?
- Leah Gaffney, Social Development Advisor, FCDO. Leah talks on what she values most in this research and how can this knowledge about poverty dynamics be used to shape development thinking?
The three speakers all offer a different slant on the benefits of being with a project for a long period of time, speaking from their point of view as either a researcher, project partner or funder.
This podcast is essential listening on how we can learn from long-term research funding for creating a more sustainable and equitable world.
About the interviewer
Vidya Diwakar is a mixed-methods researcher with a focus on poverty dynamics, violent conflict and intersecting crises, gender and education. She is the Deputy Director of the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network and a Research Fellow at IDS.
Read more on this project
Covid-19 Life histories project in Zambia
About the Between the Lines podcast
This podcast series explores ground-breaking ideas in development for positive social and environmental change. Each month we feature an interview with an expert in international development who will talk about their latest research and ideas.
Episodes content could feature authors of new books, IDS research or interviews with special guest stars.
The discussions give an insight on the themes covered, exploring the challenges and discoveries, and why the issues matter for progressive and sustainable development globally.
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