RDI Network - RDI Network is a collaboration between the Australian Council for International Development and Australian universities

Evidence-Based Practice: What’s Next?

...held on 16 Sept 2020 on ‘the new normal’ as we grapple with how independent consultants, contractors, and practitioners can time-efficiently deliver evidence-based practice, and communicate research (and M&E findings)...

Online Networking | Evidence-based Practice: What’s Next?

...independent consultants, contractors, and practitioners can time-efficiently deliver evidence-based practice, and communicate research (and M&E findings) more effectively. When: Wednesday 16 September 2020 4pm – 5.30pm AEST Where: via Zoom...

EOI | Looking for RDI Network Committee Member (University Rep)

Are you an experienced academic actively engaged in the field of international development? Are you committed to seeing evidence influence development policy and practice? An exciting opportunity exists to join...

Cross-sector evidence grants: Successful projects announced!

The RDI Network and ACFID have collaborated to offer a series of cross-sector evidence grants to selected ACFID Communities of Practice (CoPs), advancing collaborative projects convening academic and practical expertise...

Evidence and Implementation Summit Virtual Series 2020: Webinar Three

...of the most dynamic innovation and effective practice in evidence and implementation is taking place in the diverse contexts of the global South. Backed by considerable investment, evidence and implementation...

Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021

The Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021 is an evolution of the Australasian Implementation Conference and the Global Evidence and Implementation Summit that was held in 2018. EIS 2021 will mark...

Deadline extended: Cross-sector evidence grants for ACFID CoPs

UPDATE: Submission deadline extended to Friday 13 April. ____________ A series of cross-sector evidence grants are currently being offered to ACFID Communities of Practice (CoPs) to advance an evidence-based agenda...

Evidence and Implementation Summit Virtual Series: Webinar Two

...a global audience to hear from researchers, practitioners, leaders and policy makers involved in implementing evidence-based programs and practices. Click here to watch Webinar One: Implementation science 3.0: the third...

Pedagogy in Practice: How we teach (and learn) in Development Studies

...attention to ‘practice perspectives’: achieved through a practitioner panel on modalities of development, and an informative presentation on the shifting development policy and practice landscape by ACFID CEO Marc Purcell....

RDI Committee welcomes its newest member

...and strengths-based approaches in research and programming in disadvantaged community settings and in influencing changes through evidence-based policy advocacy. The RDI Network is pleased to welcome Nanditha onto its strategic...

What are Impact Evaluations?

Development programs and policies need systematic and credible evidence to inform the basis of these interventions. Impact evaluations have emerged as a means of providing an evidence base. Here we...

Urbanisation and its impacts: where is the evidence?

...these functions is below. Call for EOIs: Expert Advisory Group A voluntary advisory group will inform the paper through the production of presentations showcasing the latest evidence and practice in...

The Symbiosis of Universal WASH and Gender Equality

...in our region and beyond. Research for improved WASH Australian research organisations are playing a significant role in supporting the uptake of evidence-based practice in the WASH sector. For example,...

Culturally Sensitive Practice & Inclusion

...understanding informs development practice, helps to identify agents of change and ways to respectfully partner with communities to improve development effectiveness. Here are some key considerations: Culture also creates spaces,...

Researchers and practitioners build their ethical fitness

...“explorer” or “veteran” in terms of practice, everyone was able to walk away with new ideas and tools to inform their practice in the future. The ethical practice workshop is...

EVIDENCE AND IMPLEMENTATION SUMMIT VIRTUAL SERIES 2020: WEBINAR FOUR

The Centre for Evidence and Implementation and Monash University invite you to their fourth webinar in the Evidence and Implementation Summit Virtual Series 2020. A conversation with Ravi Gurumurthy, CEO,...

Faith in the ACFID Code of Conduct? A Reflection Workshop

...and sexual orientation. In May, the Sexual Rights in Development Community of Practice was awarded one of three cross-sector evidence grants offered by RDI Network and ACFID, to undertake an...

Global Evidence and Implementation Summit 2018

The Global Evidence and Implementation Summit 2018 (GEIS) will bring together experts from across the world to talk about their experiences in generating and implementing evidence for better policy and...

EOI | RDI Network Committee Member Opportunity (University Rep)

...in effective, ethical development practice. We are more than the sum of the parts: bringing together enquiry, evidence, practice, policy, and people, to strengthen development outcomes. About the RDI Committee:...

Colour of Development: Navigating Gender Diversity | Development Practice in the Real World Conversation Series

Wondering how to make development programs more gender inclusive? Join the graduate students at Monash International Development Practice Association (MIDPA) in the next Development Practice in the Real World Conversation...

Calling all research producers, translators and knowledge brokers!

Research Communications and Uptake: An open survey of practice in the international development sector You are invited to participate in an open survey of the international development sector on the...

Pedagogy in Practice: how we teach in Development Studies

...convene teachers, students and industry representatives to explore how we can improve ‘Pedagogy in Practice’ for Development Studies. PROGRAM Keynote: Sisonke Msimang – More than words: The politics and practice...

Communities of Practice (COPs)

...you’re interested in joining an ACFID member-led and run Communities of Practice Communities of Practice, please contact Raewyn Lans, the ACFID Member and Stakeholder Engagement Lead. For more information on...

How to collaborate with Pacific Churches: Our latest guide

...(both faith-based and secular) to better understand the principles, context, traditions and protocols of Church-based bodies in the Pacific. It offers highly practical tips, advice and tools to be used...

EOI – Research Comms Learning Framework & Module(s)

...research evidence Research users: towards improving demand for and interest in research evidence, processes to identify, engage with research processes and research evidence, determine quality of research evidence, and skills...

Exploring the evidence: Women’s Empowerment and Microfinance in the Asia Pacific (WEMAP)

...2018 update: read more on the evidence regarding microfinance practice in this article by Dr Sara Niner, one of the workshop convenors – published on The Conversation, 24 May 2018....

Volume 77: Evidence and practice in an age of inequality

Features papers, case studies and workshop reports selected from those presented at the 2015 ACFID University Network Conference ‘Evidence and Practice in an age of Inequality‘, held at Monash University,...............

Looking for NGO Representative for the RDI Network Committee

OPEN Are you an experienced NGO practitioner actively engaged in the field of international development? Are you committed to seeing evidence influence development policy and practice? An exciting opportunity exists...

Research Communication and Uptake: A Snapshot of Practice

...and taken up in policy and practice, within the Australian-based development sector. The RDI Network and Coffey International Development produced the Snapshot with input from a steering group, DFAT, and...

New learning opportunity: The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development

The University of Queensland (UQ) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) have co-developed an exciting new MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) entitled: The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development....

Ethical Practice in the Field: Melbourne Workshop

...a professional development workshop for researchers, evaluators and practitioners to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in ethical practice of research and evaluation practices. Special offer: This workshop is FREE for...

Ethical Practice in the Field: Sydney Workshop

Do you commission or practice research for international development? Are you involved in project or program evaluations? Do you work with vulnerable or marginalised groups? The RDI Network is offering...

Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021

Join us at the Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021 (EIS 2021)! This Summit is an evolution of the Australasian Implementation Conference and the Global Evidence and Implementation Summit in 2018....

Cross-learning workshop for faith-based and secular ANGOs

...to attend, and you can register via Eventbrite here. If you are from a faith-based organisation, please consider also joining the reflection workshop for faith-based organisations being held on 20...

Research Communications & Uptake: Share your experience!

...you are encouraged to take up this opportunity. We are seeking to reach those who apply evidence in practice (programming, advocacy etc.) and/or policy (organisational, government etc.), and to understand...

What’s your score?   

The Network believes in increasing the use of meaningful and ethical research to inform policy and practice. Our core goal is to be ensure that all practice is evidence-based. However,...

Our Community

...they produce, and salience given the critical need for evidence based development practice. The network’s impact has been on enabling this knowledge system to expand in Australia and provide a...

Evidence and Practice in an Age of Inequality

As the UNDP noted at the end of 2013, ‘The world is...

Unearthing research uptake: A survey for research users

...are the opportunities to improve practice and alter incentives towards greater research impact? This survey is targeted specifically at research users in the Australian-based development sector, and should be completed...

About Us

...exists to lead, stimulate and support: Effective, ethical development research practice Cross-sector partnerships and linkages Uptake and use of evidence in policy and practice Our community is open to all...

Summary: Principles and guidelines

...awareness of and provide overarching direction and practical support in ethical research practice. They are intended for anyone who commissions, manages, conducts or reviews research and evaluation. The Principles and...

Consultancy opportunity: Research communications and uptake – snapshot of practice

The RDI Network is currently seeking expressions of interest (EoIs) from qualified consultants or consultancy teams to produce a robust sector snapshot of the practice of research communications and uptake...

A New Era: Updating the Ethical Principles and Guidelines

...research practice is the demand it puts on researchers and their organisations in relation to ethical practice. Research and evaluation are increasingly moving away from the traditional paradigm of researchers...

EOI | University Host for Research for Development Impact (RDI) Conference:

...development research and practice in our region. Previous Conference themes have included Leadership for Inclusive Development, Evidence and Practice in an Age of Inequality and Development Futures: Alternative Pathways to...

Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Community of Practice (CoP) Launch

The new ACFID MEL Community of Practice: an opportunity to connect, learn and innovate around MEL and understanding impact across scales. Join ACFID for the launch and learning event of...

Action Research Project brings advocates together to improve research in international development

‘Enhancing Research Use in International Development’ is a collaborative undertaking that will bring together diverse stakeholders interested in improving research-policy-practice links in international development. The project aims to foster changed...

Ethical Fitness: Training for Researchers & Evaluators

Do you commission or practice research for international development? Have you considered the ethical issues you may encounter in your research and M&E practice? Do you work with vulnerable or...

Webinar Series: Best-practice across the research cycle

...in this series. Guests to include Helen Fernandez from TEAR Australia. More guests to be announced. Best-practice across the research cycle Detailing the key steps and processes for ethically involving...

Ethical Practice Starter Kit

Welcome to the digital version of the Starter Kit: Ethical Practice for Research and Evaluation in Development. Here you will find an abridged version of the full Starter Kit which...

Ethical Fitness: Training for Researchers and Evaluators

Do you commission or practice research for international development? Have you considered the ethical issues you may encounter in your research and M&E practice? Do you work with vulnerable or...

Ethical Practice Starter Kit

Welcome to the digital version of the Starter Kit: Ethical Practice for Research and Evaluation in Development. Here you will find an abridged version of the full Starter Kit which...

RDI Network Committee welcomes new academic representatives

...and Sustainability – a multidisciplinary hub for teaching and research at Murdoch University, endeavouring to shape new thinking and practice on key aspects of responsible citizenship. I am also and...

If you must use slides, make them great!

...and font to keep a consistent look. If you are doing a topic transition it is important that you show this in your slides as well. Practice, Practice, Practice. This...

Religion and development: Australian faith-based development organisations

2011 | Authored by Gerhard Hoffstaedter This paper explores the distinctions between faith-based and secular aid and development organisations and the unique challenges and opportunities associated with the faith-based community....

Fast track your research impact

...deliver wide-reaching and lasting impacts. As part of the session you will receive your own copy of the second edition of The Research Impact Handbook. Key benefits Learn about evidence-based...

Influencing Public Policy with Research & Evidence

...And how can practitioners, researchers, and academics influence more effectively? With an expert panel of policymakers, we will delve into the policymaking world on: how information and evidence land on...

COVID-19 Resources

...vulnerable peoples Living Guidelines – supporting Australia’s healthcare professionals with continually updated, evidence-based clinical guidelines for caring for people with COVID-19. Weekly updates from the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce....

10 Ways for Engagement

Research without engagement is only going to go so far. To achieve maximum visibility and impact, research must have more than a sole academic purpose. Research and evidence are beneficial...

Researcher relationships

...evidence based programming and policies but has its challenges. Whether it is a small project, or an institutional level partnership, many of the same principles apply. Relationship building requires time....

New report reveals impact of Australian aid funded research

A new report based on a study commissioned by the RDI Network uncovers previously undocumented outcomes and impact from a range of research projects funded by the Australian Development Research...

Learning from evidence

Learning is fundamental to good development practice. In complex social systems and diverse cultures, development initiatives rarely follow initially conceived linear paths. Rather, social and institutional change processes are emergent...

RDI Committee welcomes two new NGO representatives

...their demonstrated experience bridging the academic-practice sectoral divide, as well as their commitment to advancing the role of evidence in development policy and practice. Dr Sumera Jabeen, Senior Evidence and...

Making research inclusive of people with disabilities

...and tools to ensure inclusive practices in the research cycle Together, we have created the following resources: Watch a Disability-inclusion Explainer Animation Video. This 2min animation explains the importance of...

EOI: Research for Development Impact Committee

Are you an experienced NGO practitioner actively engaged in the field of international development? Are you committed to seeing evidence influence development policy and practice? An exciting opportunity exists to...

Partnerships for Sustainable Urban Development: Achieving SDG11

...Goal. This afternoon networking session will open with a panel of four leaders in the field of sustainable urban development, pitching some of their own ideas for research-practice collaboration based...

New Visions for International Development Education

...from 14 universities representing Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom came together to explore these questions at James Cook University’s ‘Rethinking Development Pedagogy and Practice: New Visions for...

Localising Humanitarian and Development Practice in an era of COVID-19 | Panel Discussion

Localising Development Practice in an era of COVID-19: What Progress has been made? If you’re keen to know what’s happening in the space of localising international development assistance and foreign...

Rethinking Development Pedagogy and Practice: New Visions for Global Development

...development has produced, this workshop seeks to conceptualise new pathways for rethinking development pedagogy and practice. More specifically, it seeks to offer new directions for responding to four interrelated crises...

Research Ethics & Practice

The RDI Network is committed to facilitating and supporting the effective and ethical practice of research and evaluation by academics and practitioners working in the field. We seek to build...

The Justice Based Approach: Foundation Course

...those working for social change while providing radical alternatives and practical tools to fit the challenges of the day. The Justice Based Approach: Foundation Course develops radical thinking, brave leadership...

Measuring Social Change: Principles to guide the assessment of human-rights based approaches to development

...of impact evaluation as it applies to the field of human rights, detailing a range of approaches and offering the principles upon which measurement of social change should be based................

Fast Track Your Impact | Online workshop with Mark Reed

...this workshop: Learn about evidence-based principles for delivering research impact when you don’t have much time Discover easy and quick-to-use templates you can use immediately to: Prioritise stakeholders and publics...

Selecting Research

...evidence is received. Read full articles: Understanding what information you need (5 mins, fact sheet) What is good and credible evidence and what is its value in international development (10...

How Change Happens in a post-data world

...learning, based upon strong evidence that complex change is almost never a linear process. Thushara Dibley, deputy Director of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre at the University of Sydney, has...

How the Sector Finds & Uses Evidence

...on how such findings are implemented into Australian policy and practice. Who wrote it? The Research for Development Impact Network (RDI Network) developed this ‘snapshot’ report, in collaboration with Coffey...

What it’s like to be a (consenting) lab-rat: using research in aid and development

...better use of evidence and research in development policy and programming. This is all part of an action research project funded by the Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network and...

From evidence to impact: Development contributions of Australian aid funded research

...the ADRAS projects and to document real world changes in policy and practice. By understanding these key facilitators of influence, researchers and research funders can more strategically plan their pathway...

8 Steps to a TOC by Hivos

What is the point of this document? Hivos’ ‘Theory of Change Thinking in Practice’ is formulated a series of guidelines for organisations to monitor and evaluate progress in achieving societal...

Gender Equity & Inclusion

...Practice (Report, 1 hour, PDF601KB) Leadership for Inclusive Development: Dismantling myths and transformating practice (Speech, Video, 50 mins) Gender barriers: what stops women or men participating (PDF poster; 960.08KB) Disability...

Recruitment | Network Coordinator for the RDI Network

...organisations and institutions seeking to apply evidence-driven international development practice and policy. Leading on the delivery of projects, events, publications and collaborative projects, the successful candidate will be challenged to...

Event Support and Collaboration

...and discourse across the Australian development sector. Build a professional, sustainable, evolving network, championing, shaping and providing leadership in effective development research, evidence and practice, and cross-sectoral partnerships. Proposals can...

Thinking differently about the private sector

...water, schools, clinics etc. to integration of sustainable practice into supply chains. ____________________________ Not only did this event spark new ideas, but also new connections. We hope that many of...

RDI Conferences

...Learn More 4-5 June 2015 Evidence and Practice in an Age of Inequality Learn More 21-22 November 2013 Development Futures: Alternative pathways to end poverty Learn More 28-29 November 2012...

Consultancy Opportunity | Sector Skills Development

...you committed to seeing evidence influence development policy and practice? An exciting opportunity exists to consult with the Research for Development Impact Network (RDI Network) on a new project aimed...

A year in the life: RDI Network

...practice; cross-sector partnerships and linkages; and uptake and use of evidence in policy and practice. This snapshot showcases the range of events, resources, collaborations and engagements which we have led,...

RDI Network Member, Lisa Denney featured on DevPolicy Blog

...like-minded academics, researchers, practitioners, and students. The aim of this is to promote the use of evidence and research into practice. We hope that by building partnerships with Australian universities...

Enhancing Research Use in International Development: An Action Research project

...address constraints between knowledge users and producers and within their respective organisations; and test out ways in which more dynamic connections between research-policy-practice can be built and constraints can be...

Case Studies for Ethical Research Practice

...By sharing the learnings and successes of how academics, organisations and collaborations have applied ethical principles through their research practice, we aim to build the knowledge base and capacity of...

Case Studies for Ethical Research Practice

...By sharing the learnings and successes of how academics, organisations and collaborations have applied ethical principles through their research practice, we aim to build the knowledge base and capacity of...

Ten years of the Developmental Leadership Program: research into practice

...implications of this research for practice, followed by networking drinks – register today. This research will also be presented during the Australasian Aid Conference in Canberra on Tuesday 13 February....

Announcing the Academic-Practitioner Collaboration for Urban Shelter, South Pacific

...to extend the invitation to members and participants of the RDI Network to join this growing network, as we seek to bridge the academic-practice divide in development and humanitarian work...

Development Practice Committee (DPC)

The ACFID Development Practice Committee (DPC) is an expert advisory group where learning and development practitioners from the not-for-profit sector...............

Volume 75: Challenges for participatory development in contemporary development practice

Features papers and case studies selected from those presented at 2012 ACFID-Universities Linkages Network Conference ‘The challenges for participatory development in contemporary development practice‘ held at the Australian National University,...............

Ethical Research and Practice

Find curated guidance to engage in ethical and inclusive development practice and research – from starting principles to ethical implementation and communication....

New Melbourne-based alliance takes on indigenous health inequality globally

Research published by The Lancet-Lowitja Institute Global Collaboration found Indigenous people had poorer health and social outcomes in comparison with non-Indigenous peoples across 28 nations. In response to this striking...

Selecting Research

...It is passed down through generations because it provides people with both utility and meaning. Its efficacy is based on how it has been adapted to local ecosystems and resources...

TOCs & Gender Inclusion

...a path for gender-based policies to be implemented. Neglecting to discuss the role of gender while developing ToC, causes teams and organisations to form an incomplete understanding of how to...

Decolonising Research Methodogies

...accelerated the conversation. The current methodologies and research approaches are proving ineffective with travel restrictions enforcing remote based work for the Global North, relying on the locals to tackle the...

Privacy Policy

...our services. This information does not identify you personally. We use Google Analytics cookies to inform and optimise content for you based on your past visits to our site. Google...

The SDGs in the Asia Pacific: A shared agenda for action

...the RDI Network, Sydney-based universities – University of Technology Sydney, University of NSW and University of Sydney – and SDSN Australia/Pacific. Keynote speakers Patricia Sachs-Cornish (Pacific Community) and Dr Yanuar...

How to write useful recommendations

Recommendations are a key part of most reports. Their role is to tell your reader what they (or others) need to do based upon the findings in a report. These...

Co-producing & Evidencing Impact Webinar

...study to investigate the development outcomes and impacts of research undertaken under the Australian Development Research Awards Scheme (ADRAS) from 2007-2016. The resulting report, From evidence to impact: Development contributions...

Building social movements through Feminist Participatory Action Research: June update

...by increasing their capacity in the Asia Pacific to author evidence-based community research, and to be vocal and effective policy advocates for climate justice, human rights and just development. The...

RDI Committee: Call for NGO representative nominees

Are you an experienced NGO practitioner committed to evidence-based programming? Do you like to work collaboratively and want to contribute to initiatives with sector-wide impact? The RDI Network is currently...

The big questions worth asking on international development

...is a classic conundrum. The Australian Council for international Development (ACFID) and the Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network has published research to show how evidence of outcomes and impact...

Pathways through disruption: RDI Conference 2021

...recovery. Forging Pathways Through Collaboration and Partnerships Collaborating and learning for improved practice, and the implementation of sustainable development and emergency response. Pathways to Enhanced Climate Change Adaptation Towards sustainable...

5 Steps to Engagement & Impact

...conducted in any development environment is to provide evidence of positive impact for the targeted audience. This means that discussions need to occur with the local community to define ‘positive’...

RDI Conference 2017: What did we learn?

...of “partnership” and “evidence” as nothing more than buzzwords, reducing their potential value and contribution towards effective development practice and policy. Over 400 participants representing 170 organisations attended the conference,...

New features on the website!

The RDI Network exists to foster collaboration between Australian universities and NGOs to ethical development research, promote evidence-based policy and practice, as well as a to build a network for...

Consultancy opportunity: Toolkit for improving impact

...the way research evidence informs development policy, practice and discourse in the Australian development sector. This work builds on existing work done by the Network in two key projects, the...

RDI Committee: Call for University representative

...should demonstrate an active knowledge of and interest in advancing the role of research and evidence in development practice and policy. To be eligible for this round, nominees must be...

RDI Committee: Call for NGO representative nominees

...role of research and evidence in development practice and policy. To be eligible for this round, nominees must be employed by an NGO that is an ACFID member, and are...

Australasia Pacific Community International Development 2021 Conference | NOW 27 – 29April 2021 (Deferred from 20-22 April 2021)

...focuses on current issues in Community Development (CD). This includes exploring new and applied research, and innovative practice. In particular, it will reflect on CD responses to major challenges of...

Principles and Guidelines

...practice and draw from the principles and obligations of the ACFID Code of Conduct. This is an essential resource for all researchers and practitioners seeking to implement ethical research practice....

Development Studies Association of Australia launches

...arrival of the DSAA has been a gradual process that has been nurtured through long-standing collaboration efforts. In recent years, the 2017 ‘Rethinking Development Pedagogy and Practice: New Visions for...

Ethics & Ethical Research

Ethical practice of research and evaluation means taking into account ethical principles that ensure respect for participants, including avoiding an unfair burden on them. It also means ensuring benefits flow...

Effective and Ethical Research and Evaluation

...of research and evaluation. Basic self-training tools including an online practice Starter Kit. Opportunities to undertake further learning and training in the practice of effective and ethical research and evaluation....

The Challenges for Participatory Development in Contemporary Development Practice

Participatory development involves including people who are affected by the development process...

An Australian Approach to Development? People, Practice and Policy

Using the most common measure, over one billion of the world’s population...

Ethical practice & guidelines

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Effective and Ethical Research and Evaluation

...of research and evaluation. Basic self-training tools including an online practice Starter Kit. Opportunities to undertake further learning and training in the practice of effective and ethical research and evaluation....

Indigenous allyship: principles and practice

Development organisation relationships

Development organisations can include civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, grass-roots organisations, disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) and / or other miscellaneous organisations. How confident do you feel in your understanding of...

M&E in the age of the COVID-19 Pandemic

...Covid-19 pandemic has exposed that interventions and M&E are conducted in uncertain and unpredictable scenarios. To address this complexity, M&E plans need to be based on theories of change that...

Research with ACFID

This paper explores the distinctions between faith-based and secular aid and development organisations and the unique challenges and opportunities associated with the faith-based community................

Indigenous People in Australia: Indigenous Protocols

...ethical principles based on the resources listed below. The summary and links provided are an entry point, and require us to engage in our own place and person specific research...

OPINION: The Importance of Civil Societies for Inclusive, Ethical and Sustainable Development Projects

...our newsletter and supporting our everyday activities.   ‘Civil society’ is a term that encompasses various and diverse groups of people, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations, labour unions, universities,...

Fragments of Youth: Young Men and the State in Honiara, Solomon Islands

In his thesis pre-submission seminar, Daniel Evans will explain his research centred on the lives of a group of young men who live in and around Honiara. Based on fieldwork...

Development Futures Project

...the exciting aspects of the futures workshops: Scenario planning workshops to discuss, debate and plan for changing futures of development. Workshop participants will tailor the debates on development futures based...

Research communication

Good research communication can increase the chances that research evidence reaches those who need to use it in a timely manner. Research users rarely have the time to immerse themselves...

Keynote listeners report highlights from the 2017 Crawford Fund Conference

...of technology and solutions on the ground. Transformational change based on innovation platforms Dr Mike Briers postulated that we need to use scientific data for impact and as evidence, and...

Funder relationships

Developing and maintaining constructive relationships with funding bodies is important for the ongoing sustainability of international development work, including research and evidence based programming. You will need to identify the...............

Facilitating Impact

How can we get better at producing evidence that actually gets used? How can we support wider use of quality evidence in programming? How can organisations lift their game in...

Why use a Theory of Change?

...a performance management tool. Evidence and ToC. The role of evidence in developing a ToC should be to challenge assumptions, rather than confirm them. A wide array of different sources...

Planning communication and engagement

The first steps to plan and design for impact might vary depending on where you are starting from. Finding quality sources is key for those looking to use existing evidence,...

Planning & designing for Impact

The first steps to plan and design for impact might vary depending on where you are starting from. Finding quality sources is key for those looking to use existing evidence,...

Workshop: A Toolkit for enhancing research impact in international development

...developed for international development practitioners and academics to guide research engagement and knowledge exchange activities. It is intended to contribute to your ability to use research and evidence in your...

Asia-Pacific Informal Urbanism Symposium

...informal architecture and shelter, shared public and private spaces, creative governance arrangements, street-based livelihoods, and sustainable small-scale transport systems. Disasters such as floods and famines, as well as refugee crises,...

What to learn from evaluations

...Quality in evaluations are based effective and practical processes in the context of its environment. This means that evaluations need to be fair, proper, and legal, as well as, balancing...

Summary: PSEAH Guidance

...support PSEAH best practice in their organisations, and satisfy the commitment to PSEAH in the ACFIDs Code of Conduct. DFAT also requires funded partners to have documented policies and procedures...

What is PSEAH?

...to address issues of sexual exploitation and abuse in the development sector based on the recommendations of an independent review of sector wide practice on prevention of sexual misconduct in...

Building cross-sector networks: ACFID Conference reception at UNSW

...representing the RDI Network, Dr Sarah Cook, Director of the UNSW IGD, and Bridi Rice, presenting on behalf of ACFID. This offered a helpful backdrop of academic-practice cooperation, informing a...

Disability Inclusion 101

...and materials, meeting venues, hotels, transportation, programs and presenters. The DID4All website provides Australian-based organisations with resources and technical assistance on disability inclusive development. These are aimed at assisting development...

EOI – Research Communications and Uptake supplementary resources

...Network in this area, including covering areas mentioned in the recommendations of the ‘Research Communications and Uptake Snapshot’. As a secondary priority, based on a gap analysis of the existing...

Program released for RDI Conference 2019

...for inclusive development, including papers based on women’s leadership, leadership and disability, organisational change and fostering new leaders. There are also a diverse set of panels, roundtables and workshops that...

Networking Online | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

...development practice as we move towards making the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality. The UNESCO goals aim to 1) support sustainable systems of governance for culture, 2) achieve a...

Introducing the new research partnerships guide

This month, the RDI Network is launching a new practical guide for academics and practitioners, How to Partner for Development Research. Featuring practical tools and good practice case studies, this...

Intersectionality 101

...same time, and that how this is experienced can depend on time, place and social context. Intersectionality addresses power through reflexivity. This requires researchers and policy makers to practice self-awareness...

Launch Event: Partnering for Impact on Sustainable Development

In June 2017, The RDI Network and the University of Sydney hosted the 6th RDI Conference: Partnering for Impact on Sustainable Development. Featuring a quality showcase of the latest evidence...

Pacific Health Governance Research Network: Workshop Two

Convening research and practice expertise from across the Pacific, join the second PHGRN workshop to delve deeper into how collaboration and evidence can advance health objectives in the Pacific................

EOI – Civil Society Engagement and Climate Change in the Pacific: infrastructure and the localisation agenda

...workplan of RDI Network, each year we are committed to developing a policy-relevant piece of research synthesis that brings together available evidence to inform policy and practice in the sector....

EOI | 2021 RDI Conference Committee

...Previous Conference themes have included Leadership for Inclusive Development, Evidence and Practice in an Age of Inequality and Development Futures: Alternative Pathways to end Poverty. The RDI Conference 2019, hosted...

International Social and Behaviour Change Communication Summit | September 20-24 2021

...gender equality and protecting the planet. SBCC global actors will convene and examine the most recent evidence and innovations, build on diverse methodologies, debate ways forward and highlight successes and...

Policymaker relationships

...research into the legislative and funding environment they work in, with a before and after clearly articulated.. Best practice is a great aim, however governments could find it more reasonable...

Co-design & Participatory Approaches – Pros & Cons

...a clear set of mutually agreed outcomes to be identified. These outcomes should ensure that the needs of the community are being met. Completing this practice increases the chances of...

Consultant opportunity: Champions action research project

...research organisations, implementing agencies and donors towards increasing use of research evidence in policy and practice. This project builds on previous work of the Network on Research Communications and Uptake...

2017 Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Research and Evaluation

...as an applied tool in support of ethical research in theory and practice and draw from the principles and obligations of the ACFID Code of Conduct. Consolidated into a single,...

Research Communication 101

...practice highlights 12 case studies, demonstrating the variety of approaches and strategies needed to effectively communicate. Research communication is not marketing. Although sharing similar goals, research communication should instead be...

Decolonising Aid & Development

...to understand the effects of reproduced hegemonic practice, through dialogue, from those who reap the challenges. Who wrote it? Peace Direct is an international charity that aims to support local...

Locally-led development

...institutions and power inequities in development practice. This includes international development agencies running local programs, as well as locally-led processes. For instance, research on locally-led development in the Pacific looks...

After COVID-19: A ‘new normal’ for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning

...and adaptive MERL look like? How can it be applied in practice? And how can those within the aid industry help promote a shift in approaches to MERL? Join speakers...

Launch | Research for All

...practical steps for practitioners, researchers and policymakers; guidance provides case studies, checklists, and tools to ensure inclusive practices in the research cycle Join us on the 10 June 2020 as...

Call for Expression of Interest: Committee Member

...the Network including networking, work-plan development, event management, project and team management skills, MEL methodologies and practice, ethical research and evaluation. Applications close midday AEDT on 24th Jan 2020. Ideally...

Networking & Development Bulletin Launch

...and best-practice are constantly evolving, it is critical to examine; what is leadership? How does one practice inclusive leadership, and how to support others to be leaders? Is there a...

Research Communication and Uptake Snapshot launched

...practice. The Research Communication and Uptake Snapshot looks at the factors that can influence research communication and uptake, and offers key recommendations for organisations that deliver aid, fund aid, and...

Two new publications for the new year

...Paper by the ACFID Sexual Rights in Development Community of Practice, which was supported by the RDI Network. Development in the Urban Era: Six strategies for better managing urbanisation in...

Climate Change Impacts and Adaption Strategies in Coastal Communities

The Symposium on Climate Change Impacts and Adaption Strategies in Coastal Communities focussed on“managing climate change in coastal regions”, and showcased experiences from research, field projects and best practice to...

How will change happen in a post-truth world?

...Impact (RDI) Network, the Developmental Leadership Program, Oxfam Australia and the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA). How Change Happens aims to bridge the gap between academia and practice, bringing together...

Understanding How Change Happens

...crossing disciplinary boundaries, rarely making it onto the radars of those actively seeking change. Duncan Green’s new book How Change Happens, bridges the gap between academia and practice. It brings...

Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Research and Evaluation

...practice and draw from the principles and obligations of the ACFID Code of Conduct. This is an essential resource for all researchers and practitioners seeking to implement ethical research practice....

*EXTENDED* | Call for EOIs to join RDI Committee

...by and through the RDI Network. It forms a respected cross-sector voice with access to significant policy and practice fora and dialogues. A list of current Committee members can be...

Keynotes from the RDI Conference 2019

...Dismantling Myths, Transforming our Practice Dan Honig: Letting the Pilot Steer: How Donor Practice Can Better Support Local Leadership Closing panel: Leadership and identity in a fragmenting world Chaired by...

RDI Committee: Call for Expressions of Interest

Are you an experienced NGO practitioner actively engaged in the field of international development? Are you committed to seeing research influence development policy and practice? You can contribute to the...

Building networks for development impact: Melbourne

...Humanitarian Leadership, Fiji National University, Australian Red Cross and Humanitarian Advisory Group. You will gain key insights into the process and practice of successful partnerships and collaborations from sector leaders...

Brisbane development community explores working better together

...Through a panel of experts and facilitated group discussion, all participants were encouraged to practice the “discipline of dialogue”. Examples of long and short-term partnership success stories were shared by...

PNG Update – PNG after the Elections

...discussed: Human development challenges and opportunities for reform PNG’s economic outlook Macro and fiscal management Service delivery (in health, education, etc.) Strategies for broad-based and inclusive development Facilitating broad and...

RDI Conference Photography Exhibition and Competition

...boundaries challenged through partnership. Who’s got the Answers? Solutions-based Approaches to Development Show me the Innovation! New Approaches to Research Partnerships New Technologies: Friend or Foe? Submissions are due by...

RDI Committee welcomes new NGO representative

...to community-based NGO (EarthRights International). My diverse experiences also include roles with statutory bodies (Australian Human Rights Commission) and academic institutions (Lund University, The University of Sydney). As an experienced...

Building networks for development impact: Sydney

______________________________________ The RDI Network and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, together with a partnership of Sydney-based NGOs and universities, invite you to join a...

Podcasting Platforms

...upscaling based upon audience demand and uploads. Notable features of Podbean include a phone app to track audience data and their YouTube service, which simultaneously creates and uploads the podcast...

Learning from activist-scholars

...University to run the event. We wanted to know how students could become active agents in the development sector for effective leadership? How do individual values influence leadership practices? And...

Webinar Series: Principles of disability-inclusive development

...overview of the rights-based approach to disability, and its guidance in shaping development. This online workshop will cover: The contextual background for perceptions of disability in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Common...

Local leaders reflect at Pacific health workshop: We need to understand how international partnerships work

...to conduct community-based health research to inform health services in Solomon Islands. Reflecting upon their experience at the workshop, both expressed surprise that policy makers at international level (especially in...

Public Speaking 101

...Who Studied 100,000 Presentations (5 min read, blog post) 15 Science-Based Public Speaking To Be a Mastre Speaker (10 min read, blog post)   Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash...

Enhancing Research Impact in International Development: A Practical Guide for Practitioners and Researchers

2020 | Authored by Nichole Georgeou and Charles Hawksley The aim of this guide is to enhance ‘research impact’ in International Development. It will assist Australian-based practitioners and researchers operating...

Challenging Bias & Assumptions 

Our entire lives are based on assumptions. These assumptions form our worldview, and we tend to notice them only when challenged. For example, I (the writer) assume water will come...

Futurism & Foresighting

...changing futures of development. Different development futures based upon the ideas from a diverse range of workshop participants Building and sharing skills for trend identification and visioning of potential futures...

Co-designing research with stakeholders

Resources, guidance, and templates to use to create respectful partnership with key stakeholders including, NGOs, local community, INGOs, and funders. Strong, respectful partnerships are based on mutual understanding, shared goals,...

Business Partnerships Platform Round 3: Applications now open

...required to come from any specific country, and they do not have to be from, or be based in Australia to be eligible. What makes a good application? All BPP...

Co-designing research with stakeholders

Resources, guidance, and templates to use to create respectful partnership with key stakeholders including, NGOs, local community, INGOs, and funders. Strong, respectful partnerships are based on mutual understanding, shared goals,...

International volunteering – it starts with respect

...new or different, often the first thing we do is make a judgement based on a series of assumptions. These assumptions come from how we think about and react to...

2021 Humanitarian Leadership Conference | 28 – 29 April 2021 VIRTUAL EVENT

...look like – based on economic, environmental and political justice for affected communities. The conference will work to determine where change is needed and determine actions required in re-shaping the...

Opportunity: Supporting research communication resources

...will be based on, we are now keen to appoint a project steering group. We are seeking a further 5 voluntary members to join the group. You will need to:...

Consultancy Opportunity | The Future of International Development

...for International Development (ACFID) and has a secretariat based in Melbourne. Download the full call for expressions of interest here.   *Please note: The RDI Network Secretariat are currently working...

5th Pacific Urban Forum

...urban stakeholders such as policy makers from national and local governments, non governmental and community-based organizations, relevant development partners, academia, private sector, professionals and individuals. For more information visit: www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/info/news/puf.html...

Fast Track Your Impact

...there must also be evidence of research impact. Opinions must be affected, and change must be prompted in order to declare impact. Lack of planning is often one of the...

Australasian Aid Conference 2017

...Network presented a session entitled ‘Getting more development impact through evidence and innovation’ on Day 2 of the conference program. For more information, including a draft copy of the program...

Skills for Development Impact

To strengthen the use of evidence for effective, equitable development, the RDI Network has identified key skills in research use and impact. Here are curated resources to improve your skills...

Australia invests in improving gender-sensitive data

...Crawford commented. The IDM shows us how particular groups and populations are disadvantaged by intersecting barriers and deprivations. These insights provide the data and evidence to enable more focused policy...

Development in the Urban Era: Six strategies for better managing urbanisation in Asia and the Pacific

...nation, triggering stability issues right across the urban-rural spectrum. This paper offers six strategies to underpin better management of urbanisation. For each strategy we provide a summary of key evidence...

Engaging stakeholders

Without engagement, research evidence is likely to sit on shelves acquiring dust. Researchers need to engage with potential users of their research to target it appropriately, and to understand the...

Fast Track Your Impact

...promote research impact, there must also be evidence of research impact. Opinions must be affected, and change must be prompted in order to declare impact. Lack of planning is often...

We’re hiring a new Network Officer!

...Understanding of the link between research, evidence and development effectiveness issues in the aid and development sector in Australia (desirable). Demonstrable experience in supporting, managing, and reporting in multi-stakeholder partnerships...

Weathering the ‘Perfect Storm’ – Addressing the Agriculture, Energy, Water, Climate Change Nexus

...threaten to unleash public unrest, cross-border conflicts and mass migration as people fled from the worst-affected regions. Now, 10 years on, the conference will examine the available evidence as to...

WASH Futures 2018

...The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the International WaterCentre (IWC) and the Australian WASH Reference Group, offers a highly-respected forum for sharing innovation and evidence to improve water,...

Asian Studies Association of Australia Conference 2018

...anthropology and more, this event will highlight the latest research and evidence emerging in academia focused on the Asian region. This event has now concluded. You can read a brief...

Opportunity: Research communications and uptake

...uptake and impact of international development research in both policy and practice (you can read more about our objectives here). Working towards this objective, the Network is developing a new...

Feminist Participatory Action Research Workshop

...then collaboratively consider opportunities and processes to implement FPAR in their research and practice. With guided activities to share and develop our knowledge together, we will explore areas like FPAR...

New research on urban Pacific resilience

...The ACFID Urban Community of Practice have produced two new papers examining the challenges of Pacific urbanisation and provide key recommendations for anyone working to support Pacific urban resilience. ‘Pacific...

Technologies of Bordering: creating, contesting and resisting borders conference

...and practices The body as border The political economy of border technologies Settler colonialism Detention, confinement and carceral systems Borderless practices and other alternatives Emerging actors and sectors involved in...

Leadership for Inclusive Development: RDI Conference 2019

...development practitioners, academics, students, consultants and private sector representatives a unique opportunity to hear from thought leaders, interrogate ideas, share practice and explore collaboration across sectors. You can find out...

Strengthening women’s movements through Feminist Participatory Action Research

...APWLD will join the workshop via webinar for an interactive discussion with workshop participants about FPAR in practice in the region. The workshop is targeted at: Development practitioners interested in...

Diaspora Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Seminar

...others who work in this field. The seminar will explore the policy and practice implications of diaspora activity and engagement in peacebuilding and reconciliation and explore opportunities for collaboration between...

Join a discussion on research communications and uptake at ACFID Conference

...We’ll be looking at questions including: How do you produce research that has influence on development policy and practice? What communications and engagement strategies do you apply in your research?...

Microfinance: problems, critiques, solutions

...save regularly, borrow from their group’s fund, and repay loans with interest. This seminar aligns with a two-day policy and practice-focused academic workshop on the topic of women’s empowerment and...

Research Merit and Integrity

In practice, the principle of Research Merit and Integrity can be broken down into three concepts:

Winners Announced: RDI Conference Photography Exhibition

One of the highlights from RDI Conference 2017 last week at the University of Sydney was the inaugural conference photography exhibition, showcasing narratives of partnership in practice sourced from a...

Wash Futures 2018: Call for abstracts now open

...topics. Collaborations between organisations are encouraged, as are teams of trainers/workshop presenters, to enable a diversity of experiences from conceptual/academic to practice. To find out more and to submit an...

Respect for Human Beings

In practice, the principle of Respect for Human Beings can be broken down into three concepts:

Beneficence

In practice, the principle of Beneficence can be broken down into three concepts:

Impact in research

...improve the impact of research? The Network delivers a series of practical guides and studies to explore the connection between research communication, uptake and its influence on policy and practice................

Justice

In practice, the principle of Justice can be broken down into three concepts:

How Change Happens

...and practice, bringing together the best research from a range of academic disciplines and the evolving practical understanding of activists to explore the topic of social and political change. Drawing...

Symposium on Sustainable Development Research in Asia-Pacific

...and good practice. It is not limited to a specific discipline, but intentionally seeks to promote sustainable development research across multiple disciplines. Four key themes will be explored at the...

Ethical practices in research and evaluation

Guidelines and training modules for individuals and organisations. Includes a section with case studies of ethical practice. This resource is designed to enhance the sector's capacity to undertake effective and...............

4th International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

...for this conference is “Doing Inclusive Education for Deaf Learners: Discovering Best Practice” and will highlight best practices in advocacy for inclusive education in your countries; successful bilingual education; ensuring...

11th Annual Conference – Making Diversity Interventions Count 2022

...the varying interventions aimed at advancing equality, with the objective of informing the development of good practice in the effective use of diversity interventions in organisations. The conference also provides...

Book Launch | Modern Day Slavery & Orphanage Tourism

...and Forget Me Not Australia to talk about child protection, child rights, and best-practice in ‘doing good’ with children. Panelists will also include: Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister...

2021 World Community Development Conference | 21 – 23 June 2021 | Nairobi KENYA

...23 June 2021. The event will be a time to take-stock, celebrate and share the practices of our diverse community around the globe. The conference will feature guest speakers, panel...

Common Problems – Shared Solutions Symposium

...Archive (NFSA). This symposium brings together experts in audiovisual digitisation, engineering and collection management to identify and solve common issues and practices through shared solutions. We are five years away...

Six Ways to Approach M&E

...tools and resources to put research evaluation into practice. Narrative Assessment: A new approach to advocacy, monitoring, evaluation, learning and communication (PDF 3.86MB, 90 mins, manual) Advocacy presents its own...

The 8th Asian Conference on Education & International Development

The world has changed in dramatic ways since 2019. The practice of education is no exception. The where and how in education were challenged during the pandemic, but the why...

Weaving Evaluation into the Whole | International Evaluation Conference

...practices enhance the quality of evaluation by weaving in and reconciling the perspectives of the many players involved. New ways of weaving: Demonstrating the continuing innovation in evaluation practice; engaging...

Training Module and Further Resources

The RDI Network has developed a comprehensive ethical practice training module targeted at NGO practitioners and researchers of international development................

What Does Neighbourhood Level Urban Resilience Look Like In Honiara?

...resilience looks like in order to support local capacity to prepare for and respond to extreme events. This paper was produced by the ACFID’s Urban Community of Practice and complements...

Pacific Island Towns and Cities: A resilience agenda for urbanisation and urban growth in Pacific Island Countries

...how to build urban resilience in Pacific towns and cities. This paper was produced by the ACFID’s Urban Community of Practice and complements the case study “What Does Neighbourhood Level...

Faith, sexual orientation, gender identity and the ACFID Code of Conduct

...orientation’ as a factor that can contribute to increased exclusion and inequity. This paper reports on an action learning project undertaken by the Sexual Rights in Development Community of Practice...

How To Write Evaluation Reports

...distraction or confusion. Engaging a graphic design expert or following graphic design best practice can help to guide decisions about type, arrangement, graphics and color. In terms of type, the...

Planning effective research presentations (virtual & in-person)

...unmute? Do you need to share your screen? Do you need to answer questions from the chat box? Test your sound and microphone and practice share screening transitions, changing slides...

Research Communication 101

...wide audience. The internet provides another tool for disseminating data, particularly to the global south. Links: Research communication: Insights from practice (90mins, PDF) 9 bad things you do (but know...

Adapting & Building Locally-led M&E Teams

...and reflect. Institutionalize feedback mechanisms. This includes regular reporting to program managers and stakeholders. Likewise, central or intermediary organizations should routinely practice downward accountability and model a willingness to be...

GUIDE | Enhancing Research Impact in International Development (ERIID)

...inclusive, ethical and sustainable practice above all else. Even if a project is deemed to have a positive national impact, if it is not inclusive and it then leads to...

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning CoP

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Community of Practice (MEL COP) is designed to create a community of online and face to face opportunities for ACFID members to engage, learn...

Research with COPs

Australian Council For International Development's (ACFID) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Community of Practice (CoP) curated content to innovate MEL and measure impact during the global pandemic................

Decolonised research methods

...of dynamics of the colonial era can help a shift to value and amplify local knowledge and re-configure development research and programming practice. Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash...

Inclusive & Accessible Research

...Careful and sensitive engagement approaches are required, ideally aiming to shift relations and practice to place local voices at the centre of research processes. Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash...

Decolonising research

...of dynamics of the colonial era can help a shift to value and amplify local knowledge and re-configure development research and programming practice. Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash...

AEA at 35: Meeting the Moment

...what has been learned, to talk about opportunities and missed opportunities and to examine how we are transforming evaluation practice to meet the complex challenges of the times. Keep an...

EOI | Development Futures Workshop Series

...the private sector, climate change, growing instability, trust in institutions and renewed calls for genuine localisation processes. We understand that development and humanitarian practice do not take place in a...

Sustainable Development Goals Climate Change and Cities: SYMPOSIUM

...and indicators, through new participatory action research. This event is suitable for urban actors in government, practice, academia, civil society and industry – engaged in urban sustainability this event is...

M&E approaches during COVID-19

Australian Council For International Development's (ACFID) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Community of Practice (CoP) curated content to innovate MEL and measure impact during the global pandemic................

NEW! Disability-inclusive research guidance

...the context of development, cultural differences and differences in power. Section Three examines each phase of the research cycle (Planning, Design, Implementation and Dissemination) and highlights changes to practice to...

ICSD 2022 : 10th International Conference on Sustainable Development

...in Open Access EJSD Journal (Web of Science) and Proceedings. The Conference theme is: “Creating a unified foundation for the Sustainable Development: research, practice and education“. The ICSD 2021 Conference...