Dissemination event: Getting Research into Policy and Practice (GRIPP) through international academic cooperation
From papers to policy: turning research into action (GRIPP)
Join us as we reflect on key insights and lessons from the peer-to-peer GRIPP learning trajectory. Together, we will explore the knowledge gained from various sessions and engagements, focusing on how GRIPP has been applied in practice, particularly in our partner countries.
A highlight of the event will be a presentation by two researchers from partner institutions in South Africa and Cuba, and two GRIPP testimonials from VLIRUOS and ARES. They will all share a concrete case study on how they have applied GRIPP in their respective contexts. Their reflections will cover:
How the GRIPP learning trajectory has influenced their work
The most valuable takeaways from their experience
How they have integrated GRIPP into their institutional approaches
Beyond these case studies, the event will provide a space to discuss challenges and opportunities in implementing GRIPP across different settings. Participants will exchange perspectives on what has worked well, areas for improvement, and strategies for embedding GRIPP at institutional and policy levels.
By bringing together lessons from both the Global South and North, the event will help shape strategies for more effective GRIPP integration. Looking ahead, it will serve as a key moment to define next steps for partner institutions, researchers, and the broader Joint Strategic Framework. Strengthening collaboration will be crucial to ensuring that GRIPP remains a sustainable and impactful approach in the long term.
During this session, our colleagues from VLIRUOS will share information about their newly launched Accelerate project, which aims to support the broader research community and stakeholders by building a learning community on uptake, use and impact of research and education initiatives. This community will focus on identifying, deepening and mobilising relevant expertise to create a mutually beneficial learning environment for all involved.
Finally, the event will foster networking and knowledge-sharing, providing an opportunity for participants to connect, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations that support the continued implementation of GRIPP.
Who should attend?
The event serves as a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences, discuss challenges, and explore strategies to strengthen GRIPP integration. It is designed for a diverse group of stakeholders involved in GRIPP, including:
Representatives from ITM and its partner institutions
Participants in the GRIPP trajectory
Members of VLIRUOS and ARES
Researchers, policymakers, programme officers, and institutional representatives
In addition to ITM staff and its partners, the event explicitly welcomes the broader academic community in Belgium and their international collaborators. Given that bridging the research-to-practice gap is a shared challenge, this exchange offers valuable insights for all. It also aligns with the shared Theory of Change for the Science and Higher Education for Sustainable Development partnership between ITM, ARES, and VLIRUOS, supporting efforts to integrate research into practice more effectively.
This event is part of the thematic Joint Strategic Framework for Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HES4SD), supported by the Belgian Government.
Contact
Wouter Boesman - Head International Cooperation
✉ wboesman@itg.be
Helena Liekens - International Cooperation Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
✉ hliekens@itg.be
This event has passed. You can watch the recording below.
Expected outcomes
We aspire to achieve three key objectives:
(1)
Synthesise and analyse key insights from the peer-to-peer learning trajectory, drawing on participant experiences, to distill lessons learned and best practices for effectively integrating research into policy and practice
(2)
Facilitate dialogue on institutionalising GRIPP across diverse contexts, identifying common challenges and collaboratively developing strategies to strengthen the uptake of research in policy-making and implementation
(3)
Foster networking and knowledge exchange, creating opportunities for strategic partnerships that drive long-term, systemic change in translating research into action
Programme
Time | Activity |
10:00-10:30 |
|
10:30-11:15 |
|
11:15-12:00 |
|
12:00-12:30 |
|
12:30-13:30 |
|
Background
Within the programme Connecting the Dots – Higher Education and Science for a Healthier World, the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), together with its partners, works to increase the quality of, and access to healthcare worldwide. The programme encompasses twelve countries and includes three global programmes. The ITM programme is part of the Joint Strategic Framework on Higher Education and Science for Sustainable Development, together with the umbrella organisations for higher education from Flanders and francophone Belgium, VLIRUOS and ARES.
The main focus of the ITM programme is on institutional capacity strengthening and collaboration, with special attention to training and empowerment of the future generation of researchers and health professionals in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. Within the twelve country programmes, ITM and its partners strive for better health for local populations through platform development (knowledge and technology), education and research projects and building synergies. More importantly, we ensure science and education with a high societal relevance by including a component in each intervention to ‘Get Research into Policy and Practice’ (GRIPP).
The funding received from the Belgian federal government (DGD) has as finality to strengthen partners’ capacities to increase the quality of, and access to health care worldwide. For this to become a reality, it is paramount that research results find their way into policy and practice. This is what make research relevant and sustainable. Both at ITM and at the level of the partners, there is an explicit willingness to further explore how this can be done in an effective manner. GRIPP’s overarching goal is to inform (health) policy and practice through research evidence. However, the persistent challenge of ensuring that high-quality research translates into concrete policy decisions has long been recognized as the “gap between research and policy.”
To address this, we recognise the need for continuous reflection and improvement in how we support GRIPP processes across our programmes. That is why the mid-term review of the 2022-2026 program focused on a learning trajectory regarding GRIPP—to better understand what works, what challenges remain, and how we can strengthen our efforts to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice.
Travelling to ITM
Are you coming to ITM to attend the event? We are located in the centre of Antwerp. We strongly encourage you to walk, bike, or use public transportation. Parking can be difficult, so please avoid travelling by car whenever possible.
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