Subject: Max Lock Centre @ University of Westminster

The Max Lock Centre at the University of Westminster, London has been
conducting research on 'improving the transfer of research knowledge'
especially research funded through international donors like the UK
Department for international Development. Having followed this discussion
for 8 weeks now this seemed to be the appropriate time to suggest that the
role of International funders is to contribute towards 'inclusive
processes' in research and projects:

At this stage of research we are working on an 'OUTPUT GUIDE' for Donor
funded researchers so that they can make their research more inclusive of
the expected users. Not all the problems of easy availability can be solved
within the time frame of a research contract so we are attempting to show
that researchers can benefit from associated interventions towards the
IDENTIFICATION of existing 'local processes' and 'places' where learning
takes place. The tool that we have developed is one called 'MAPPING LOCAL
CULTURAL RESOURCES' through which Processes aiding health, learning and
interactivity can be identified in any geographical location through Common
sense and Common science.

The principal of our work rests on that a large amount of knowledge
required for development is present in various geographical locations but
not accessible or usable for the field worker. Based on commissioned papers
and experiences of development practitioners in the UK the 'concept' that
we are working on since May 1998 may be summarised as follows:

A. Making the process and outcome of Urban research more open to the end
users. A knowledge transfer strategy needs to be created right from the
outset of the research.

B. Ways to encourage Users to put forward proposals for research to
researchers and donors.

C. Ways to measure the transfer and use of research produced so demand can
be better understood

D. How to make research knowledge easily available when needed.

E. Understanding the better use of media and methods of communication in
terms of cost and impact.

F. How to make the best use of electronic technology in improving the
transfer of research knowledge.

Please let us know if this interests you so we can share more details on
our experience (its not a formulae!!! as you are all so aware)

regards

Ripin Kalra
kalrar@wmin.ac.uk
The Max Lock Centre
University of Westminster
35 Marylebone Road London NW15LS
UK.
Telephone:
uk-0171 9115000 ext 3120
Fax:
uk-0171 9115171/68