Scaling the impact of innovation and research : a call to action from the Global South

Abstract

The presentation argues that it’s time to re-think the purpose of scaling with a focus on scaling positive impacts of an initiative on lives, livelihoods and our natural environment. This involves considering the trade-offs between different dimensions of impact produced by scaling processes, the magnitude, variety, equity and sustainability of impact. Thus, rather than thinking ‘bigger scale’, thinking in terms of impact at ‘optimal scale’ is called for. The call-to-action results from the scalingXchange, a virtual gathering of researchers and innovators from across the Global South to learn from scaling experiences, and enable funders and development agencies to better support scaling efforts.

Description

French version available in IDRC Digital Library : Mise à l’échelle de l’impact de l’innovation et de la recherche : un appel à l’action de la part du Sud; Spanish version available in IDRC Digital Library : Escalar el impacto de la innovación y la investigación : Un llamado a la acción desde el Sur Global

Keywords

INNOVATION SYSTEMS, RESEARCH TO POLICY, RESEARCH NETWORKS, DONOR AID, SCALING UP, RESEARCH PROPOSALS, RESEARCH NEEDS, FUNDING, GLOBAL SOUTH

Citation

DOI