Solving complex agri-food problems through action research

Would you like to see research translated into tangible interventions, making an impact on society?

‘Making Research Work’ shows you how to apply an action-research approach. This course supports you involve and gain stakeholder’s commitment to jointly define and solve problems in your community. Simultaneously, it will help you make more impact on agricultural development and receive greater recognition.

The ‘Making Research Work’ course teaches you to solve agri-food problems through action-research

The course will provide you with concrete skills to apply immediately in your work. You will learn how to:

• Identify your role as a researcher in agricultural innovation processes.
• Navigate the complexity and unpredictability that are inherent to innovation processes.
• Motivate actors to commit to engaging with your research.
• Formulate and implement demand-driven research that serves the development needs of the community.
• Apply different research approaches in line with the research goals.
• Write proposals that attract funding for action-research.
• Explain complex ideas in an accessible manner.
• Negotiate and understand different perspectives.
• Understand yourself and your role as researcher in multi-stakeholder processes.

This 2 week face-to-face course in the Netherlands will consist of training sessions, workshops, field visits, networking, and more. You will visit renowned agricultural institutes such as Wageningen University and Research. You will see the impact of high-quality participatory action-research on societal challenges and be challenged to apply the knowledge you gain in your own research design.

Course Overview

In this course

You will learn about the building blocks of an action-research processes and how to implement research projects in complex settings. You will learn how to involve relevant stakeholders and motivate them to commit. You will engage with stakeholders participating in action-research processes in your own working environment and learn about the dynamics of such a process and the roles of the various actors.

You will learn how to translate research into tangible interventions and identify relevant actors to involve and guide research processes towards successful outcomes – while keeping everybody on board.

Individual coaching

You will receive personal feedback from the iCRA trainers and fellow trainees on your practical assignments as well as coaching. We will support you in applying the knowledge you gain to your research context. We help you achieve and surpass your personal learning objectives.

Excursions to research institutes in the Netherlands

This course will consist of training sessions, workshops, field visits, networking and more. During your time in the Netherlands you will visit renowned agricultural institutes such as Wageningen University and Research. You will see the impact of high-quality participatory action-research and be challenged to integrate the knowledge you gain in your own research design.

Main topics

Exploring research processes  

• Characteristics of action-research versus other type of research.
• Capacities (knowledge, skills and attitudes) required to be effective in research. 

Building trust with stakeholders 

• Trust as a condition for innovation.
• Understanding interests and seeking common ground without compromising.

Writing winning research proposals  

• What donors look for in a proposal? How to write for a donor and how donors read and evaluate a proposal.
• Engaging donors, potential partners and target groups.

Communicating research results