Connecting Research, Practice and Policy: Are Policy Makers and Practitioners in Kenya Utilising Universities’ Social Science Research?
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Date
2023
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Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO
Abstract
Universities play a leading role in research and are considered the main knowledge-producing institutions
in any society. Whereas conducting research is important, the utilization of the findings is even more
important. Increasingly, research funders are keen to ensure that research makes a difference and that the
research they fund is applicable in the relevant areas. The present study thus sought to establish the level
of utilisation of university-produced social science research by government in the policymaking and
formulation processes in Kenya. Data was collected from universities, national government ministries and
county governments. The study established that there was very low utilisation of university produced social
science research in the policy formulation and making processes at both national and county government
levels. It also emerged that most of the research studies conducted by universities were commissioned by
private agencies. The study concludes that channels for communicating research findings between
universities and government were lacking. The study recommends that universities should create formal
research linkages and partnerships with government ministries to enable dialogue throughout the entire
research process. Universities should also establish/strengthen research dissemination units, as well as
move beyond the traditional channels of disseminating research findings
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Bunyi, G., Njihia, M., & Ogola, M. (2023). Connecting Research, Practice and Policy: Are Policy Makers and Practitioners in Kenya Utilising Universities’ Social Science Research?. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, 3(1), 1-18.