The GCRF-OSIRIS Project: Lessons LearntProf Maria Paola ScaparraSEARMA Workshop, Hanoi, May 23 2019

Agenda Introduction to the GCRF

Overview

Core areas

Criteria for GCRF funding

The GCRF-OSIRIS Project

Ingredients for a successful proposal

Challenges

Opportunities

2

Global Challenges Research Fund

• £1.5 billion research funding scheme

• Announced March 2016

• Funded by the UK Government

• For UK researchers

• Funding for 5 years initially: 2016 – 2021

• Accounts for 10% of the total UK’s total research budget

• For research that will address the problems faced by developing countries

Changing the way we think about research

Internationally renowned UK research expertise

Help address the problems faced by developing countries

ODA Statement

Every GCRF proposal must include an ODA Statement

The statement must answer the following questions:

1. Which country/ countries on the DAC list will directly benefit from this proposal?

2. How is your proposal directly and primarily relevant to the development

challenges of this country / these countries?

3. How do you expect that the outcome of your proposed activities will promote

the economic development and welfare of this country / these countries?

Challenge areas1. Equitable Access to Sustainable Development

• secure and resilient food systems, sustainable health and well being• inclusive and equitable quality education• clean air, water and sanitation• affordable, reliable, sustainable energy

2. Sustainable Economies and Societies• sustainable livelihoods (economic growth and innovation)• resilience and action on short-term environmental shocks and long-term environmental

change• sustainable cities and communities• sustainable production and consumption of materials and other resources

3. Human Rights, Good Governance and Social Justice• respond effectively to forced displacement and multiple refugee crises• reduce conflict and promote peace, justice and humanitarian action• reduce poverty and inequality, including gender inequalities

https://www.ukri.org/research/global-challenges-research-fund/

UN Sustainable Development Goals

GCRF Cities & Infrastructure Programme Launched by the British Academy

Interdisciplinary, problem-focused research programme …

that supports development of sustainable and resilient cities in developing countries

17 projects funded (up to £300,000 each)

Duration: 16 months

Started February 2018

3

Optimal Investment Strategies to Minimize Flood Impact on Road Infrastructure Systems

Overarching aim

Reduce the impact of floods on Vietnam’s urban road networks …

by building a decision support tool which optimizes long-term investments in flood mitigation measures

Methodology

Operational Research (OR)

Integrated with other disciplines (e.g. social science, transport economics, hydrology, climatology)

9

@GCRF_OSIRIS

GCRF.OSIRIS

https://research.kent.ac.uk/gcrf-osiris/

What is O.R. ?

Operations research (O.R.) is the discipline of applying advanced

analytical methods to help make better decisions.

Also known as: Management Science Business Analytics

Maths in the Real World

Applications of O.R.

Hanoi’s Recent Floods

12

2016

Problem exacerbated by:• Aging drainage system• Fast urbanisation• Poor awareness• Climate change

2017

2018

Countries exposed to floods

13

Project Team

14

Impact Assessment

Interdisciplinary Approach

15

Investment

Programmes

Review

Rainfall Simulation

Flood Map Generation

Optimal Schedule of Mitigation & Adaptation Actions

Main Outcomes High resolution rainfall predictions in extreme events for Hanoi

Flood maps for different climate change scenarios for Hanoi

Recommendations based on impact assessment• Improved communication and awareness at community level• Women engagement in flood management decision making• Integration of hard and soft mitigation measures• Stricter regulations to reduce waste discharge

Decision support tool for urban planners and policy makers• Prioritised list of drainage system measures to reduce congestion and

damage• Application for end-users to visualise the results

Innovative integration of different disciplines

New partnerships (TDSI, IMHEN, VAST, AMDI)

Ingredients for a successful proposal Challenge-led, impact-focused research

Stakeholder engagement

Realistic and clear pathways to impact

Genuine and equitable partnerships (consolidated and balanced team)

Innovative, excellent, interdisciplinary research

Demonstrable track record of researchers

Solid capacity building strategy

Value for money

17

Challenges Timeline

Recruitment / retention of personnel (RA)

Communication across disciplines

Managing multiple teams in different cultural contexts (e.g. language, culture, public engagement, legal frameworks)

Budget estimation (e.g. visa, trips, translator)

Time allocation (e.g. PI)

Project Management and Administration (including communication)

15

Lessons Learned Working across disciplines and across countries is challenging but

extremely rewarding

Having a consolidated network of reliable collaborators is key to

the success of the project

Need to have contingency plans and maybe a “safety” budget

Projects in developing countries have huge potential for impact

and become starting points for new streams of research

New data and innovative solutions to inform research worldwide

These projects can become addictive!

19

Project Team

20Inception Workshop 29.03.2018

GCRF: Cities & Infrastructure17