Policy Entrepreneurship for Poverty Reduction

International development is characterized by a concern for praxis, the union of theory and practice. But bridging research and policy is harder than it looks. This book focuses on two key questions: What factors affect the influence research has on policy and practice in international development? How can we bridge research and policy more effectively for poverty reduction? Edited by Julius Court and Simon Maxwell, this book features papers by leading policymakers: Naresh Saxena (Former Secretary, Planning Commission, Government of India); Matthew Taylor (Head of Policy Planning in the UK Prime Minister's team); Maureen O'Neil (President, International Development Research Centre); Masood Ahmed (former Director General, UK Department for International Development). Also included are four research-policy case studies from experienced researchers - focusing on African Politics; Poverty Reduction; Primary Education; Aid and Finance. Together these papers add new perspectives and a host of lessons on the science and the art of bridging research and policy. In particular, they highlight four key lessons: the need for research donors to foster research capacity and to protect it from political interference; the need for researchers to use detailed analysis within and across national boundaries in order to inform high-level policy debates; the importance of presenting research results in such a way that they cannot be over-simplified; and the value of creating alliances between researchers and civil society groups. This is a vital book for researchers and analysts in international development who want the lessons of their research converted into changes in government and aid agency policy. It is also important for policymakers and practitioners who want their policies to be more evidence based.