How are Research for Development Programmes Implementing and Evaluating Equitable Partnerships to Address Power...

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Development Studies
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• Research for Development (R4D) necessitates interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations.
• Power asymmetries can hinder equitable resource, responsibility, and benefit distribution in R4D partnerships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a cross-case analysis of five R4D partnership evaluations.
• To detail methods used to identify and address power asymmetries in R4D partnerships.
• To contribute to the field of R4D partnership evaluation by showcasing effective approaches.

Main Methods:

• Cross-case analysis of five R4D partnership evaluations.
• Examination of evaluation methodologies employed.
• Focus on how power dynamics were unearthed and managed.

Main Results:

• Theory-based evaluations enhanced understanding of equitable partnerships' contribution to R4D impact.
• Participatory approaches, involving all partners in principle development and evaluation, ensured contextual relevance.
• Relational aspects of R4D were effectively centered through these evaluation methods.

Conclusions:

• Evaluating R4D partnerships requires specific approaches to manage power dynamics.
• Theory-based and participatory methods are crucial for fostering equitable and impactful R4D collaborations.
• Centering the relational aspects of R4D through evaluation leads to more effective and valued partnerships.