Mapping Development Pathways between Science Research & Innovation (SRI) and SDGs

Science, Research and Innovation (SRI) play a crucial role in providing new knowledge, artefacts and evidence-based strategies on how to tackle the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, due to the diversity of goals (17), constituting targets (169), indicators (232), and the strong inter-relationships between the SDGs, the potential contribution of SRI towards attaining the SDGs is complex and elusive. As synergies, trade-offs and misalignments emerge between different SRI areas and technologies, and between SDGs, there is no consensus on how science, policy and society should interact with each other, to most effectively achieve the SDGs and constituting targets. In order to fully appreciate the contribution of SRI to SDGs, we need an integrative framework that is capable of mapping and studying the synergies, trade-offs and misalignments across SRI areas and between SRIs and SDGs. The integrative framework should also highlight opportunities to exploit all synergies, while negotiating all trade-offs and misalignments constructively.

Our report aims to develop such an integrative framework, which is conceptually-grounded, empirically-based, and globally-produced. Our analysis aims to empower concrete policy action, for governing and (re)orienting SRI for meeting the SDGs, while accounting for national differences and transdisciplinarity. We will develop a systematic data-driven analysis of:
a) The most relevant SRI areas, and the interactions between them, for addressing each SDG;
b) The synergies, trade-offs and misalignments between the different SDGs and relevant SRI areas;
c) The actors in the SRI system globally, while zooming in to the national and local levels, and emerging developments that are most critical for attaining the SDGs;
d) The most viable and sustainable SRI pathways for the future, in order to achieve the different SDGs and exploit synergies between them; and
e) Concrete policy implications and guidelines, for exploiting and influencing SRI developments and their use, to address all SDGs comprehensively.

To achieve aims (a)-(e), we will build on four complementary levels of analysis - System Mapping, Sub-System Interactions, Micro-Case Studies, and in-Depth Consultations and Engagement, using quantitative and qualiative methods to build the report through five complementary work packages:
1) Identification of relevant SRI areas and technologies by engaging with international experts (methods: focus group/workshop);
2) Mapping of SRIs for each SDG, actors involved, and their relations to develop a taxonomy to map the potential importance of different SRI for SDGs (methods: topic modelling, scienotmetrics and case studies);
3) Analysis of emerging and future SRI developments along multiple pathways, for achieving the SDGs (methods: literature review, focus group/workshop, scientoemtrics and real-time Delphi survey);
4) Policies, tools and implementation with diverse stakeholders to produce detailed evidence on how SRI can be made more central to decision-making for SDGs (methods: case studies, and interactive visualisations, and games); and
5) Continuous consultation and engagement with relevant researchers and experts to interpret results, identify challenges, discuss investment directions and improve impact mechanisms (methods: consultation meetings, workshops and discussions with stakeholders).

The report's impact on policy and practice will be facilitated through continuous engagement with engaged communites of practice, who will be mapped through a participatory forum involving our high-profile advisory committee and existing networks in which the UK and UNDP teams are involved.

This report will produce empirical evidence, novel concepts and policy tools to examine the complex relation between Science, Research and Innovation (SRI) and SDGs. It is designed as conceptually-grounded and empirically-based, multilevel, globally-produced, transdisciplinary tool that can empower policy action at various levels. It aims to provide stakeholders with interpretative lenses to understand the complex web that relates SRI to SDGs, how such relations develop in local contexts and how relevant policy actions are undertaken.

The report will assist policy-makers to shape more effective SRI policies, considering synergies and trade-offs within SRI fields, within SDGs, and between the two. It will demonstrate how to improve the alignment between sustainability needs and SRIs, rebalancing North/South and Global/National priorities. It will provide policy tools for policy makers to navigate and exploit SRI synergies, and empower stakeholders beyond policy makers, providing a simplified understanding of how they can contribute to SDGs (also by influencing policy).
The report will offer learning opportunities for researchers in world leading institutions, to orient research to be better aligned with practice needs, through a continuous two-way collaboration with the UNDP team. This journey will deliver well-trained policy-conscious academics and teams that will remain active beyond the duration of this project.

Outcomes from the project will be: i) better understanding of SRI policies and their influence on SDGs; ii) improved understanding of the synergies, trade-offs and misalignments between SRI and SDGs and how to address them; iii) identification of causal pathways from SRIs to SDGs; iv) understanding of barriers and opportunities to improve the process through which SRI serve SDGs at the national and local levels; v) understanding the role of conflict, governance, innovation systems, and policies in shaping pathways from SRI to SDGs.
These will yield improved use of evidence that makes a difference to policy formation and decision making; improved portfolio of SRIs to address SDGs; increased awareness of research teams of diverse policy needs for SDGs; and increased awareness of the UNDP team of research tools.

Direct beneficiaries comprise: a) national research councils and international research initiatives from broad ones e.g. GCRF, NORGLOBAL, FutureEarth, and Horizon Europe, to more focused ones like CGIAR; b) national and international development aid agencies, particularly those that are research intensive, e.g. DFID, DANIDA, IDRC, GIZ, USAID, OECD, Development Banks, the World Bank and UN agencies and initiatives beyond UNDP, e.g. SDG-DESA and TFM, UNEP, UNCCD; c) global foundations funding international research related to SDGs, e.g. Rockefeller, Ford, Bill and Melinda Gates, Volkswagen, Gatsby; d) NGOs, particularly those engaging with research, e.g. Oxfam, Peace Direct, Save the Children; e) national academies of sciences from donor and recipient countries (especially natural sciences, engineering and medicine) and international academies, e.g. ICSU, TWAS, AAS, WWAS; d) regional and national public policy-making institutions, e.g. the EC, the African Union, NEPAD, the National Task Force on Agriculture at NITI, DKN future earth; f) civil society organizations, e.g. Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and the One Acre Fund; g) global fora of policy makers, practitioners and private sector representatives, e.g. WEF, WBSCD, INGSA, Global Goals Tech. Forum; h) government ministries and agencies deciding on research priorities (to use evidence on how they can shape SDGs, through better use and reorientation of SRIs).

Through this work, the improved ways of addressing SDGs through SRI will benefit populations in LIC, especially those who suffer from environmental degradation, hunger, poverty, discrimination, diseases, lack of primary goods, and conflict