09Sep By Jayne Doreen OlugaSeptember 20, 20240Research and Learning RETHINKING COLLABORATION: Localising Knowledge Production to Inform Sustainable Solutions for Displacement of Affected Communities in Kenya The Kenya Evidence Platform held its inaugural conference on September 17th and 18th, 2024, aimed to foster collaboration between Kenyan researchers, academia, and refugees, to inform sustainable solutions for displaced communities. The conference, organised by the Regional Durable Research Secretariat (ReDSS), Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH), and Maseno University, was a significant step towards localising knowledge production and ensuring that refugee programming and policymaking in Kenya are grounded on locally-driven research and locally-generated evidence.The conference brought together a diverse group of participants, including researchers, academics, media professionals, refugees, government officials, and representatives from international organizations. Participants at the Kenya Evidence Platform Annual Conference Key discussions centred around the challenges and opportunities of localising research in forced migration studies and highlighted the need to prioritise local perspectives in research.Participants also discussed the importance of Kenyan academia in shaping the refugee discourse and outlined the disconnect between the traditional research models used and the knowledge on the ground. Additionally, a lot was explored on the role of donors and international partners in supporting localisation, emphasising the need for flexible funding mechanisms and capacity building for local researchers.Participants further addressed the importance of translating research into effective policies and programs highlighting the challenges thereof, such as limited access to policymakers and insufficient funding for follow-up activities. Recommendations Recommendations emerging from the conference includedIncreased ethical involvement of refugees and the local/host communities in researchMore options for knowledge dissemination, and greater allocation of resources for research translation and policy development.Participants also called for improved collaboration among stakeholders to avoid siloed research and ensure that findings are effectively communicated to policymakers. A lot of Emphasis was put on the importance of measuring success based on the impact on people’s lives and ensuring that research feedback is prioritised to avoid refugees feeling exploited. Conclusion In conclusion, the Kenya Evidence Platform Annual Conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration on localising knowledge production for sustainable solutions for displaced communities in Kenya.The recommendations from the conference offer a roadmap for future efforts to ensure that research is more ethical, inclusive, relevant, and impactful in addressing the needs of refugees and promoting durable solutions, and that policy development is grounded on locally generated evidence. Author Jayne Doreen Oluga View all posts