How can you use partnerships to innovate in international development research?

1 Identify your innovation goals and needs

Before you start looking for potential partners, you need to have a clear idea of what kind of innovation you want to achieve and what kind of support you need. Innovation can mean different things to different people, so you need to define it in relation to your research objectives, questions, and methods. For example, do you want to explore new topics, approaches, or solutions? Do you want to improve the quality, relevance, or impact of your research? Do you want to reach new audiences, stakeholders, or beneficiaries? Once you have your innovation goals and needs, you can map out the skills, resources, and networks that you have and that you lack.

3 Co-create and co-implement your innovation process

Once you have your partners on board, you need to co-create and co-implement your innovation process. This means that you involve your partners in every stage of your research, from design to dissemination. You need to establish a shared vision, values, and expectations for the partnership, and agree on the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each partner. You also need to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where you can exchange ideas, feedback, and knowledge. You need to be open to learning from your partners, and adapting your research plans and methods accordingly.

4 Monitor and evaluate your innovation outcomes and impacts

The final step is to monitor and evaluate your innovation outcomes and impacts. This means that you measure and document how your partnership has contributed to your research innovation, and how your research innovation has contributed to your development goals. You need to use appropriate indicators, tools, and methods to capture the changes and benefits that your partnership and innovation have generated. You also need to share your findings and lessons learned with your partners and other relevant stakeholders. You need to celebrate your successes, acknowledge your challenges, and identify your areas for improvement.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?