Unlocking the potential of data for decision making in international development: A debrief from UKCDR’s session at SSUNGA 2024 

Unlocking the potential of data for decision making in international development: A debrief from UKCDR’s session at SSUNGA 2024 
11 October, 2024

by Senior Data Analyst, Adrian Bucher

On 16 September 2024, UKCDR had the pleasure of hosting a virtual session at the Science Summit at the UN General Assembly (SSUNGA) – marking the third such collaboration. Bringing together key stakeholders from around the world, the Summit facilitates dialogues that position science, technology, and innovation (STI) at the heart of actionable strategies to address global challenges and bridge the gap between science and policy to drive progress towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future for all. This year’s SSUNGA was particularly significant as it coincided with the UN Summit of the Future, focused on forming a new global consensus on delivering a better present and outlining a path for the future.  

UKCDR’s contributions to this timely event included convening a panel discussion on the theme of ‘Unlocking the potential of data for decision making in international development.’ Here, speakers underlined the vital role of data on research in the effective implementation of STI strategies to achieve progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

  • Naser Faruqui, Director, Education and Science at International Development Centre, Canada 
  • Ida Mc Donnell, Head of Development Co-operation Research Unit, Organisation for Economic Co-operation, and Development (OECD) 
  • Nokuthula Mchunu, Deputy Director, African Open Science Platform, National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa 
  • Johann Mouton, Director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Scientometrics and STI Policy; Professor, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 
  • Charlotte Watts, Chief Scientific Adviser and Director for Research and Evidence at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom 

Among the key motivators for this session was to continue a conversation held earlier this year at a side event co-hosted by UKCDR during the OECD Science and Technology Policy Ministerial, which explored challenges in the production and availability of data on research and research funding. 

This second event kicked off with scene-setting remarks by UKCDR Executive Director, Maggy Heintz, and Senior Data Analyst Adrian Bucher, that showcased the organisation’s work to promote coherence, collaboration, and joint action among UK research funders. Each panel member began by outlining key issues in how their respective organisations engage with data on research for decision making.

These included comments on the need for better processes around data on research funding to promote locally led development agendas (outlined by Naser Faruqui); the importance of evidence to assess whether research investments are achieving their desired impact (Charlotte Watts); and how the visibility of data (Nokuthula Mchunu) and knowledge generated in Africa has evolved over the last 20 years (Johann Mouton). 

Paradoxes and Effectiveness 

Part of the discussion focused on the disconnect and paradoxes, highlighted by Ida Mc Donnell, that exist between what the international development community views as being the in-country data needs and the reality facing Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This included the juxtaposition of the high demand for data supporting the design of policies that address global challenges against the backdrop of stagnating development finance to strengthen data capacities and infrastructure – as well as the underutilisation of existing local data generated by international community-funded research..  

This raised questions around the effectiveness of existing mapping and coordination activities to support decision making. The panel acknowledged that, while funders have been investing in an increasing number of these activities, more could be done to overcome the challenges associated with the production, accessibility, and use of data on research and research funding. This would provide detailed insights into the prevailing funding landscape and research ecosystem, thus supporting enhanced coherence in decision making. 

One prominent example of such a challenge included the systemic biases that exist in global evidence repositories and databases, which may be due to a lack of recognition of LMIC priorities and stakeholders, and were instead driven by those from the Global North.  

On ways forward 

When engaged in discussion about potential ways forward, panellists highlighted the need to think more strategically about streamlining data processes. An example used to illustrate this point cited known difficulties experienced globally in reporting against the SDGs due to a variety of reasons, including: the number of indicators, the absence of clear methodologies, and the lack of statistical capacities. In this respect, consolidating, harmonising, and limiting data collection to those areas deemed essential to decision making – designed in collaboration and shared back openly with partners in LMICs without restriction, was considered an effective course of action. This approach was also thought to bring with it a sense of accountability to development processes, goals, and partnerships.  

In closing, while unanimously recognising that much work remains to overcome challenges such as those around equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in unlocking the potential of data for decision making in international development, panel members reflected positively on the progress that has been achieved and the opportunities that lay ahead as the global discussion turns towards the Summit of the Future.  

Many thanks to everyone who attended our session at SSUNGA, our panel moderator, and speakers for a very rich discussion. 

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