Institutional constraints to building social science capability in public health research: a case study from...

The promotion of social sciences capabilities in public health research in universities frequently encounters unexpected barriers. This paper argues that, in Indonesia, historic factors and institutional structures of public health research have created constraints to success in public health research and international technical assistance. Donors are often frustrated by apparent inconsistencies between agreed intentions and the subsequent behaviour of recipient colleagues, thus resulting in poor relations and failure of collaborative links. For social sciences to be integrated into public health research, assistance is needed in graduate education, library development, computerisation, and research methodology. Contributions in these areas may be ineffectual if they are not preceded or accompanied by efforts by recipients to reform or circumvent existing institutional weaknesses. Some important barriers to the development of research capabilities in Indonesia are beyond the control of individual faculties of public health, or even universities, and are affected by regulations and budgeting procedures of the National Department of Education and Culture, or the civil service administration. There are, however, changes that can be made at faculty or university level to encourage a more productive 'research culture' and promote linkages between the social and health sciences.