In November, ILRI Director General Jimmy Smith called on staff to give feedback on the draft science plan developed in October and discussed by the Board. Round 1 of the survey asked for some general feedback.

On 2 December, IMC reviewed a synthesis and compilation of responses contributed by 35 individuals – other feedback was sent in by email.

Download the consolidated inputs

IMC distilled the inputs into five main issues together with a description of the way forward (see below).

One of the overarching issues that was evident in many of the comments is that we (IMC) need to do a better job in providing the overall context and rationale for what is set out in the plan, how this connects to the changes in the past few years and the institute’s strategy going forward. IMC will prepare a deeper analysis of the context and rationale as part of improving these elements of the plan and these are listed as the first two main issues below.

IMC has proposed individuals for each of the main issues, and requests these individuals to play these lead roles for issues 3, 4 and 5 to prepare a short (2-3 page) think piece that will set out the evidence-supported recommendations to include in order to improve the Science Plan. These short pieces should be ready by 7 January 2014 and will be used as the basis for face-to-face discussions on each of these five topics during the IRMC meeting on 15, 16 January 2014 in Nairobi when we will finalise the Science Plan.

1. Context setting piece about where we are, and where we will be. This includes an assessment of the impact of decisions on CRP investments at the outset of the reform process, and the implications of this in the short term – up to 2016 and for the second phase of CRPs from 2017 onwards. It will articulate the rationale and implications of resource mobilization priorities in the coming few years. (IMC led by Jimmy and Martin)

2. Link between where we are and where the strategy takes us – this provides part of the rationale for more investment in biosciences. (IMC led by Shirley and Peter B)

3. Regional programs rather than presence (Steve Staal)

4. Links and synergies between Biosciences and Integrated Sciences (Isabelle Baltenweck)

5. Theory of change, impact pathways etc (Acho Okike)

Information from Shirley Tarawali