Sharing early childhood research with communities in Kiribati | Sally Brinkman, Joan Lombardi

Community-based research is being re-conceived as much more than a methodological approach that includes community voices. It is rather a framework for ensuring that knowledge is created with those whose lives it is intended to improve; that actionable data is generated that can be used by communities to further their own priorities; and that the political context from grassroots to cabinet level is understood and leveraged to maximise the impact of measurement and data. This approach challenges researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to move beyond consultation towards true partnership with communities in defining problems, generating evidence, and shaping solutions. How can research produced with communities become a more deliberate influence on institutional decision-making, public policy, and sustainable improvement in early childhood development and other areas of development? What practical approaches can be employed to generate, apply, and communicate evidence that responds to locally identified priorities and engages influential actors at all levels of government? These are some of the questions we explored in this Thrive in Conversation session by Sally Brinkman (‪@AdelaideUniAustralia‬) and Joan Lombardi (‪@StanfordEducation‬) with Thrive host Susan Walker. About the series This discussion series from Thrive brings together policymakers, practitioners and researchers to explore the latest evidence related to scaling early childhood development programmes in low- and middle-income countries. Conversations will explore the key takeaways from research highlighted in the Thrive What to Read newsletter and delve into how new evidence can help to inform diverse policy and research agendas associated with scaling. Attendees can take part in live Q&As with leading experts and be part of a growing community of knowledge shaping the future of early childhood development programming. www.thrivechildevidence.org