MAPPING OF NATIONAL ACTORS NATIONAL OF MAPPING DATA AND INDICATORS ON SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH DOING RESEARCH IN MYANMAR Country Report Centre for Economic and Social Development & The Global Development Network June 2020 ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTEXT THE OF ASSESSMENT DOING RESEARCH IN MYANMAR Country Report DISCLAIMER The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of GDN, IDRC or its Board of Governors. This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Global Affairs Canada, and the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada. 2 Doing Research in MYANMAR was supported by the Agence Française de THE DOING Développement, the Bill & Melinda Gates RESEARCH PROGRAM Foundation, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Bridging the research gap and improving the Swiss Agency for Development and development policies Cooperation. In 2017, GDN conducted a synthesis of the pilot studies2 and developed Today, governments and donors alike a standard methodology for studying social have little systematic information about science research systems in developing the state of social science research, except countries,3 the ‘Doing Research Assessment’. for in a few developed countries. Yet, the Since 2018, GDN has been implementing implementation of the global agenda for Doing Research Assessments in partnership sustainable development requires local with competitively selected national research research capacities to ensure that the institutions, with the aim of generating scientific community is equipped to critically evidence on research systems. The program analyze development and policy challenges, also aims to support the emergence of a and to accompany actions and reforms network of research institutions in the Global with contextualized knowledge of the local South dedicated to informing national environment. research policies, using new research-based, comparative evidence. An in-depth analysis of research systems is key to understanding how to bridge this gap Doing Research National Focal Points – A and raise the profile of research generated Southern network of local ‘research on in developing countries. Research systems research’ expertise analysis can help policymakers, donors and academics answer the question: What can Through the collaboration between GDN and be done to further generate and mainstream these local institutions, the program aims local research as a key input to public debate to inspire research policies, map research and sustainable human development strengths, support research capacity-building policies? efforts and enhance the quality of research that can be used for policy decisions and Assessing and benchmarking social local democratic debate in developing science research systems countries. Social science research provides a critical analysis of societies and human Doing Research (launched in 2014) is an behavior and contributes to a better initiative of the Global Development Network understanding of development challenges (GDN) that aims to systematically assess how – which is fundamental to realizing national the features of a national research system1 and global development agendas. Country impact the capacity to produce, diffuse and reports, comparative global reports and use quality social science research to the data will inform actors from research, benefit of social and economic development. A pilot phase (2014-2017) in 13 countries 2 www.gdn.int/sites/default/files/GDN-2017-DR-pilot- synthesis.pdf 1 In this document, the terms ‘research system’ and ‘social 3 www.gdn.int/sites/default/files/GDN%20-%20 science research system’ are used interchangeably. Theoretical%20Framework.pdf Doing Research in MYANMAR 3 development and policy communities about which will lead to several knowledge outputs their policy-oriented research environment and awareness-raising efforts. and how it can be improved. Doing Research Framework: the core of Doing Research Assessment: to the assessment understand, map and assess research systems1 The Doing Research Framework is a mixed- method research module that allows a A unique feature of the Doing Research contextualized comparative enquiry into Assessment4 is the equal importance the a national research system, looking at key methodology gives to production, diffusion factors that determine the production, and uptake factors and actors in the analysis diffusion and uptake of social science. It of systemic barriers and opportunities for would typically serve as a magnifying glass social science development. to identify aspects that need the attention It involves three steps for analyzing the of the regulator, or to provide a baseline for factors that impact the social science strategizing investments in capacity-building research system in a given country or region, for research production, its diffusion or its use. Steps and activities for implementing a Doing The Framework acts as the basis for Research Assessment comparing and benchmarking research systems in different countries and includes Context analysis 54 indicators. These indicators are populated according to the national context framed by Mapping of research actors the National Focal Points (NFP); these follow Doing Research Framework the project guidelines while adapting them to their national environment. Therefore, each country follows the same framework and Collection of new data at country level general guidelines, allowing for comparisons Publication of the Doing Research between different reports of the indicators Assessment that define the Doing Research Assessments (DRA). The same is true for the Country National seminar and dissemination Reports, which follow a similar structure. 1. Production 2. Diffusion 3. Policy uptake Inputs 1.1 Research inputs 2.1 Actors & networks 3.1 Policy-friendly research Activities 1.2 Research culture 2.2 Research 3.2 Research-based and support services communication practices policymaking Outputs 1.3 Research output 2.3 Research 3.3 Research-based policy & training communication products tools Outcomes 1.4 Opportunities & 2.4 Popularization of 3.4 Research for better sustainability science policies 4 www.gdn.int/doing-research-assessment 4 Doing Research in MYANMAR which will lead to several knowledge outputs and awareness-raising efforts. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As Myanmar continues its transition from a administrators from various higher education Doing Research Framework: the core of closed society to an open economy, linking institutions in Myanmar, who helped to the assessment research to policy and evidence-based clarify the policies and processes of the The Doing Research Framework is a mixed- policymaking are critical in making this a research system. We would particularly like to method research module that allows a success. The Doing Research Assessment thank Dr. Charlotte Galloway of the Australia contextualized comparative enquiry into (DRA) in Myanmar is an essential study of National University for her work in mentoring a national research system, looking at key how the country is utilizing research and the research team at CESD throughout the factors that determine the production, evidence as the basis for formulating public assessment, and Dr. Katri Pohjolainen, Senior diffusion and uptake of social science. It policies, undertaking institutional reforms Research Advisor for the Swedish International would typically serve as a magnifying glass and integrating with the global economy. As Development Cooperation Agency, for her to identify aspects that need the attention part of the global think tank community, we valuable review during the webinar launch of of the regulator, or to provide a baseline for are particularly grateful for this opportunity the study in May 2020. strategizing investments in capacity-building to contribute to this important piece of We see the DRA as a starting point that for research production, its diffusion or its use. work. Given the nascent evolution of the research ecosystem in Myanmar, identifying will help the Government of Myanmar The Framework acts as the basis for and analyzing the different aspects of the and development partners to plan and comparing and benchmarking research research process (production, diffusion and prepare for developing an inclusive and systems in different countries and includes uptake) was an arduous task and one we productive research system for effective 54 indicators. These indicators are populated would not have achieved without the support public policymaking in Myanmar. We hope according to the national context framed by of fellow researchers, particularly those from that our study will provide a reference point the National Focal Points (NFP); these follow newly emergent think tanks in Myanmar. In for essential dialog on mobilizing existing the project guidelines while adapting them dealing with this challenge, we would like resources, both international and domestic, to to their national environment. Therefore, each to acknowledge the valuable guidance and empower Myanmar researchers. We recognize country follows the same framework and assistance provided by the International that the recommendations in our report general guidelines, allowing for comparisons Development Research Centre (Canada) and could be refined and improved on in the light between different reports of the indicators the Global Development Network. of new insights, better data and a fresh vision. that define the Doing Research Assessments This DRA uses a methodology