Pretoria, South Africa

According to the organisers, the Institute of Development Studies and the Human Sciences Research Council-South Africa, this conference seeks to explore the role and contribution of research brokers and knowledge and information intermediaries in supporting and enabling evidence-based policy and practice that benefits the economically poor. This conference seeks to: raise awareness about the ways and contexts in which this role is being played; share and generate knowledge about this role; initiate debate; and catalyse future action. It will focus on exploring how research brokers and info-mediaries add value to other structures and processes aimed at supporting evidence-based policymaking and practice. It will discuss what is happening in different sectors and in different disciplines, and what can be gained from the cross-fertilisation of ideas.

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The conference is designed for:

• people delivering an information service, such as people providing information portals or hubs, those involved in research reporting, community information workers, information practitioners in networks, and librarians;
• research producers, primarily people from research organisations but also from government bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
• academics and practitioners, such as people with a theoretical or practical roles related to information, communication, and knowledge in policy and practice; and
• research users, particularly those involved in design and implementation of policy and programming, such as people in public office and NGOs.

There is no registration fee for this conference. Participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation and other subsistence costs. Participation in the conference is limited to 120. In order to ensure that there is a good balance of participants in terms of the nature of interest, discipline, role, organisation type, and country/region, the organisers will review all applications and confirm participation by May 21.

Deadline for application: May 16 2008

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