Rethinking Collaboration: Localizing Knowledge Production for Sustainable Solutions in Kenya

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The inaugural Kenya Evidence Platform Annual Conference, aptly titled “Rethinking Collaboration: Localizing Knowledge Production to inform sustainable solutions for displacement affected communities in Kenya,” brought together a diverse array of stakeholders at the Radisson Blu, Arboretum in Nairobi. The two-day event, held on the 17th and 18th of September 2024, was the result of a collaborative effort between the Refugee Led Research Hub, Maseno University, and ReDSS with funding support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Kenya Evidence Platform grant. The conference served as a crucible for new ideas, seeking to challenge traditional paradigms, open a space for networking among practitioners, refugees, and researchers in the forced displacement space, as well as fostering innovative approaches to addressing the complex issues surrounding forced displacement in Kenya.

As co-conveners of the event, ReDSS’ role in shaping the discourse included setting the tone for the conference as part of the opening remarks, emphasizing the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we approach refugee research and policymaking and moderating a panel discussion on localizing research and knowledge production, a theme that would emerge as a central pillar of the conference.

Key Themes and Discussions

The discussions held over the two days revolved around five broad areas, with the first three discussions organised as panel discussions:

  • Localising forced migration research and knowledge production,
  • The role of donors and international partners in localization of research,
  • Bridging research, policy and practise
  • The evidence landscape in Kenya
  • Role of Media in Research dissemination

Panel discussions in order of appearance: 

Panel 1| “Walking the talk: Localizing forced migration research and knowledge production.”

Panel 2 | “The role of donors and international partners in localization of research: Shifting the power dynamics.”

Panel 3 | “From Insight to Impact: Turning data into decisions for effective policy and programming”.

- Localizing forced migration research and knowledge production

The call for localizing forced migration research and knowledge production resonated strongly throughout the conference. The panel, moderated by the ReDSS Kenya Manager Patience Kiara, featured representation from two refugee researchers, academia, and from practitioners. The speakers and participants alike during the panel interaction emphasized the need to move away from extractive research models that have long dominated the field. Instead, they advocated for a more inclusive approach that positions refugees not as mere subjects of study, but as active participants and leaders in the research process.

This shift towards localization is not merely academic; it has profound implications for the quality and relevance of research outcomes. By integrating the lived experiences and unique perspectives of refugees and host communities, we can develop more nuanced, context-specific understandings of displacement issues. This approach promises to yield insights that are not only more accurate but also more actionable in terms of policy and programming.

- Role of donors and international partners in localization of research

The role of donors and international partners in this localization process emerged as another critical point of discussion. The panel had representation from the academia through Moi University, the World Bank, RLRH and the Dutch Embassy. Participants engaged in frank conversations about the need to recalibrate power dynamics between international funders and local actors. There was an appreciation of the progress made towards localization of research through partnerships and collaboration over the years, but an acknowledgement that there is still more that can be done not only to the production but utility. There was a palpable sense of urgency in calls to increase direct funding to local research institutions and refugee-led organizations (RLOs). This shift, many argued, is essential for fostering true ownership of research agendas and outcomes by those most affected by displacement.

- Bridging Research, Policy and Practise

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the imperative to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice. Speakers highlighted the often-frustrating disconnect between well-intentioned policies and their real-world implementation. Some of the highlighted challenges include financing, which had been alluded to in the earlier discussion on the role of donors and international partners. Other emerging reflections included the need to communicate the value of evidence generated to various stakeholders, demonstrating the alignment to their priorities. To demonstrate this, the panel and participants suggested innovative ways to turn data into decisions, such as building a realistic pathway between evidence, policy and practice at the conception of research processes, which emphasizes the need for more effective dissemination of research findings to government institutions, local communities, and donors.

- The evidence landscape in Kenya

As part of the Kenya Evidence Platform grant, ReDSS has commissioned Expectation State to map existing forced displacement evidence in Kenya. The initiative aims to create a unified platform to identify gaps, best practices, and key actors involved in evidence generation. Preliminary findings, aligned with the five pillars of refugee governance, service integration, socio-economic inclusion, environmental sustainability, and durable solutions, reflect both progress and ongoing challenges. While strides have been made in understanding certain facets of refugee experiences, significant gaps remain in key areas such as governance, the long-term impacts of integration, and the relationship between displacement and environmental issues.

Hanningtone Isiaho from Expectation State presents the draft report during the Kenya Evidence Platform Conference

The findings also highlight several critical challenges. One major concern is the gap between policy and practice, which renders many policy changes ineffective. Weak partnerships and coordination within the refugee sector contribute to fragmented governance, hindering service delivery and socio-economic inclusion. Furthermore, underdeveloped infrastructure, outdated technology, and insufficient data management limit effective refugee support. The issue of localizing evidence generation also emerged as a key concern, underscoring the lack of local perspectives in refugee-related research in Kenya. Addressing these challenges will be crucial to improving refugee management and ensuring more sustainable, inclusive solutions moving forward.

- Role of media in research dissemination

In a particularly innovative segment, the conference explored the role of multimedia in research dissemination. Film Aid’s presentation on participatory media approaches opened new avenues not only for thinking about how we communicate research findings, but also how to humanize data and encourage creative expression. By empowering communities to tell their own stories through film and other media, we can capture the raw emotions and nuanced realities of displacement in ways that traditional research methods often miss. One great example highlighted from the session is a documentary, “The Other Dadaab” which documents the lives of refugees in Dadaab. 

Spotlight on Refugee Researchers and Commitments

One of the most inspiring aspects of the conference was the platform it provided for refugee researchers to present their work. Topics ranged from the influence of droughts on the livelihood strategies of refugee youth with disabilities to the dynamics of camp-urban migration. These presentations not only showcased the high quality of locally produced research but also demonstrated the unique insights that emerge when those with lived experience of displacement lead the research process.

As the conference drew to a close, participants made commitments to enhance collaboration, improve information sharing, and increase refugee participation in all stages of the research process. There was a collective recognition that the path forward must involve more research on urban refugees, digital labor markets, and socio-economic inclusion, with a renewed emphasis on involving host communities in forced migration discourse.

Conclusion: A Watershed Moment

The Kenya Evidence Platform Annual Conference of 2024 will likely be remembered as a watershed moment in the field of forced displacement research and policy in Kenya. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and placing the voices of refugees and local researchers at the center of discussions, the conference has set a new standard for collaboration and knowledge production.

As we move forward, the challenge will be to translate the energy and insights from this conference into tangible changes in how research is conducted, funded, and utilized. If successful, this approach promises to yield more effective, sustainable solutions for displacement-affected communities in Kenya and potentially serve as a model for similar efforts around the globe. The conference has laid the groundwork for a Common Research Agenda that will involve actors from across the spectrum of durable solutions, including think tanks and academia. As we at ReDSS reflect on the outcomes of this event, we are optimistic about the future of refugee research and policy in Kenya. The path ahead may be challenging, but with the commitment to collaboration and localization demonstrated at this conference, we are better equipped than ever to navigate it with better results in years to come.

About the author
Picture of Abigail Wagala

Abigail Wagala

Abigail is currently the Kenya Knowledge Management and Learning Specialist. Abigail brings a vast range of knowledge on project management methodologies, MEAL, research, analytics and knowledge management and Learning. Prior joining ReDSS, she led the Project Management and System’s transformational delivery project and programme operation’s analysis at Save the Children International’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office.

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