Translating Health Research to Policy: Breaking through the Impermeability Barrier

This chapter analyses an experience of addressing the often impermeable
barriers between health research and policymaking in India. Typically,
researchers located within government institutions struggle for autonomy,
while those outside face difficulties in getting heard, generating unhealthy
competition among researchers. Between 2010 and 2012, the authors
were part of the Fostering Knowledge Implementation Links Project
(FKILP), which brought together health researchers in the state of
Karnataka (India) and senior to mid-level health programme managers
and implementers on a range of issues linked to maternal health. The
project succeeded in breaking communication barriers through two
strategies: (1) Embedding the project in a World Bank funded government
programme, while retaining an independent and respected academic
institution as the nodal agency; (2) Creating an interactive trust-based
network of researchers, policymakers and field practitioners. As a result,
unhealthy competition was minimised and the benefit–cost ratios for all key
stakeholders were favourable to participation.