Do evidence networks make a difference?

ABSTRACT

As part of the Global Evidence Summit in Cape Town in September 2017, Prof Ruth Stewart gave the keynote addressing the question of ‘Do evidence networks make a difference?’. The following text is based closely on that opening address. She outlines how evidence networks make a difference by building our shared understanding across the evidence ecosystem, enable growth in our shared capacities, and enable a potential and readiness for change. In this article she provides additional information supporting each of these three ways in which evidence networks make a difference, as well as elaborating on how her work, and that of her Centre at the University of Johannesburg, is closely aligned with the production and use of evidence synthesis. She makes a strong case for her central argument: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’.

KEYWORDS:

• Networks
• evidence
• Global Evidence Summit

Acknowledgments

With thanks to my own team at the Africa Centre for Evidence who provide the secretariat to the Africa Evidence Network and have supported all the work described in this article. Thanks also to the Global Evidence Summit organisers who funded my attendance at the conference.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

The work of the Africa Evidence Network is supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation [grant number 2017-6228]. It has also received UK Aid from the UK government under Grant [PO 6123]: the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.

Notes on contributors

Ruth Stewart

Prof Ruth Stewart is dedicated to using her time, skills and experience to reducing poverty and inequality. She has for 20 years worked across traditional boundaries with a wide range of people within the evidence ecosystem towards her goal of ensuring that evidence is both useful and used. Her work includes the production of evidence for decision-makers, as well as supporting public servants to access and make sense of research. She has worked on the production of systematic reviews, rapid evidence assessments and evidence maps to inform decision-making. Ruth is the Director of the University of Johannesburg’s Africa Centre for Evidence and Chairperson of the Africa Evidence Network.