Evidence That Sticks: How to Turn Research into Action

 In a moment of shrinking resources and shifting priorities in the humanitarian, development and peace-building systems, the question more than ever is not just what we know, but how we use what we know to drive change. This session explores how evidence can be designed and deployed to ensure that research reports don’t end up gathering dust on shelves but shape practices on the ground and at the global level. As major donors pull back, the stakes are higher: What kind of evidence resonates most with those in positions of influence? Is it rigorous quantitative analysis, visual storytelling, or grounded insights and perceptions from communities affected by crises? How can research processes and outputs be designed to best inform and support decision-making ? 

Noura Mahmoud, from the Somali, female-led social enterprise RAAGSAN, and Julia Steets, who leads evaluation practice at GPPi, will share lessons on how to drive change through evidence – drawing both on their joint work on the inter-agency humanitarian evaluation of the drought response in Somalia and on their broader experience beyond this evaluation. Complementing these perspectives, Marc Schattenmann, director-general in the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will reflect on the recipient angle and share his perspective on what kind of evidence sticks with decision-makers. 

Karla Kröner

Communications and Research Associate, Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI)

Noura Mahmoud

Research and Business Development Manager, Raagsan Consulting

Marc Schattenmann

Director-General of the Central Directorate-General, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Julia Steets

Director, Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI)