A key component of LASER PULSE’s Embedded Research Translation model is the collaboration of researchers and practitioners in development research projects. LASER PULSE defines Embedded Research Translation as an iterative codesign process among academics, practitioners and other stakeholders in which research is intentionally applied to a development challenge. Core to this approach to translation are...
In the Exploring Blockchain Technology to Improve Food Security Through African Indigenous Vegetables project in Western Kenya, we have prioritized a co-design process between the research and research translation partners from the proposal development stage. Egerton University (research), Virginia Tech (research), and AgUnity (research translation) each bring their own, yet complementary, expertise to the project....
A new LASER PULSE project to develop and test an early childhood evidence-based intervention for social emotional learning in Uganda has begun to implement a train-the-trainer scale-up model. Due to travel constrictions, the team conducted trainings via teleconference with Nakaseke Primary Teachers College (PTC) trainers. While this approach allowed the project to complete critical training...
A recently-concluded LASER PULSE project, funded by USAID, can offer you insights into measuring local level capacity and commitment. In this research project, Texas A&M (led by Sylvie Hamie and Khalil Dirani) and University of Notre Dame (led by Tushi Baul and Lila Khatiwada) researchers collaborated with the Office of Learning, Evaluation, and Research (PPL/LER) in...
Enduring Results Study 3.0, led by USAID, CRS, and Accenture Development Partnership, is one of the LASER PULSE research studies under Private Sector Engagement buy-in. This study is the third in the series of Enduring Results Studies (ERS), which collect and disseminate evidence on the drivers of sustainability and scale in USAID’s partnerships with the private...
Psychosocial Support (PSS) interventions have a significant positive impact on students’ well-being and academic performance in areas of conflict and crisis. Results from a LASER PULSE-funded evaluation on Psychosocial Support in South Sudan show enhanced student reading scores and social well-being among students who received interventions. Common PSS interventions include activities focused on play, learning, and well-being,...
Colombia The Colombia RFA was announced February 7, 2020 in the sector areas of: YouthVenezuela migration responseIntegrated Rural Development The Colombia award process is continuing to refine selected proposals, review budget requests and obtain necessary documentation with regard to IRB, Assessment of Environmental Consequences and Mission concurrence. One of the awards have been fully executed, with an additional...
In January 2021, LASER PULSE will issue a Request for Applications (RFA) entitled “Grand Research Challenges for Development” (GRCD) to fund research awards for collaboration between USAID activity (project) implementers and Higher Education Institution researchers in USAID interest countries to work on bottleneck development challenges. Key components for this upcoming RFA are: Linkage to an ongoing...
LASER PULSE would like to make you aware of new online training modules available to network members. These trainings address critical issues in research translation and your participation in them could facilitate enhanced translation of research into practice in your work. You’ll find on LASERPULSE.org, available trainings on: A System Level View of Development Challenges This course aims to...
Researchers and practitioners at Notre Dame, Purdue, and Catholic Relief Services are collaborating with USAID to implement the Agency’s private sector engagement (PSE) evidence and learning plan to enable USAID Missions and Bureaus to incorporate PSE good practices in the future. The principal outcome so far of the 4-year project is an Evidence Gap Map (EGM) –...
