Bridging Research and Policy, Saturday 6 November 2004

This year's Annual Conference was jointly organised by Department for International Development (DFID) and Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

The aim of this year's DSA Conference was to foster a better understanding of how research can contribute to pro-poor policies, and systems to put it into practice. The theme, "Bridging Research and Policy" very much reflected the special vocation of the two organisers, DFID and ODI.

It was an incredible day that attracted some 480 participants from the very broad spectrum that makes up the development community - policy people, researchers, practitioners, NGO campaign people, consultants, students and journalists. The broad range of topics being discussed ensured that there was something of interest for every delegate and we would like to thank all of you who participated to make the day such a success.

During the day, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Simon Maxwell to Professor Sir Hans Singer for his overwhelming contribution to the field of development studies in a career that spans over 70 years.

A Special Edition of the Journal of International Development on Bridging Research and Policy is now available. For more details visit our Journals section

Keynote Speakers:

Matthew Taylor, former Director of IPPR and now Head of Policy Planning in the Prime Minister's team in Downing Street. Download Matthew's presentation

NC Saxena, a well-known academic and former Secretary of the Planning Commission in India; (Powerpoint presentation and paper: Bridging Research with Policy: the Case of India)

Maureen O'Neill, President of IDRC and former Director of the North-South Institute in Ottawa. Download Maureen's presentation

Masood Ahmed, formerly with both the World Bank and the IMF, now Director-General of DFID (paper: Bridging Research and Policy available for download)

The 21 workshops also followed the theme of Bridging Research and Policy, covering issues from international trade to HIV/AIDS to migration to social protection, with additional sessions on the art-craft-science of bridging research and policy. For each workshop, speakers were chosen from our different communities – academic, NGO, and policy-makers – as well as allowing plenty of time for discussion and debate.

2005 is a big year for development, with the UK holding the Presidencies of the G8 and the EU, with the Africa Commission reporting, and with the UN Summit on the MDGs. The DSA's 2004 Conference presented a unique opportunity to link development research with the policy process.