Second Annual Public Service Research Colloquium

Theme: Leveraging research for sustainable growth and development

Background

Government departments have to strike a balance between having internal research capacity, outsourcing research work and establishing collaborative partnerships between public service researchers and academic and research institutions. Of special interest is the establishment of reciprocal research arrangements - that go beyond commissioned research - between government and researchers in research and academic institutions, as well as in non-governmental organisations.

There is also a need for improved coordination of commissioned research. The first day will thus explore some of the key issues related to government’s research agenda, modalities and around research partnerships and some recent research initiatives.

The second day highlights key research areas towards improved service delivery, and in support of the developmental state. The focus of the day is on sharing of methodology and findings across sectors, spheres of government and across the continent. The day will conclude with a critical reflection of the two days’ proceedings and facilitation on the way forward.

Programme

• Opening and Welcome, Dr Zwelakhe Tshandu, DDG, SDI, DPSA
• Shaping the Public Service research agenda, Prof Richard Levin, DG, DPSA
• Respondent: Linking Public Service research to training & development, Dr Mark Orkin, SAMDI
• Respondent: Policy research in the 2nd decade of democracy, Dr Themba Masilela, Policy Analysis Unit, HSRC
• Towards a model for policy research - Building on the CAGE experience, Ms Charmaine Estment, CAGE
• Case study: Research and rural communities: Challenges facing government researchers – experiences from Mpumalanga, Ms Margaret Skomolo, OP Mpumalanga
• Research and development: NDA experiences, Prof Peter Ewang, NDA

• Government and employment growth and development, Dr Miriam Altman, HSRC
• Research and service delivery: Not just talking about M&E, doing it!, Dr Leanne Scott, UCT
• Research in support of improved service delivery, experiences from , the continent, Dr Oscar Picazo, Senior Economist, World Bank
• Research and funding. A view from the NRF, Dr Andrew Kaniki, NRF
• Research, Service Delivery and the academia, Prof Valliant Clapper, TUT

• Attendance register