In March 2026, Dr Gillian McKay (Leeds Beckett University) submitted evidence to an inquiry by the UK Parliament’s International Development Committee into “FCDO’s approach to higher education and research partnerships”, which she drew from insights of her impact tracing study into the Creating Safer Space research network.
The following is the summery section of the submitted evidence. The full submission can be accessed HERE.
Summary
This submission responds to the Committee’s questions: What have been the benefits of investment in higher education and research partnerships for the UK and international partners? What further benefits can be harnessed? It draws on emergent findings from an ongoing impact evaluation of a UKRI-funded international research collaboration, Creating Safer Space (CSS). CSS brings together researchers and practitioners across 13 countries, seeking to advance understanding and operationalisation of unarmed civilian protection (UCP) and community self-protection (CSP) in 11 low- and middle- income countries affected by conflict. Using CSS as a case study, the submission highlights the benefits of higher education and research partnerships for five actor groups, namely: academic, community, practice, institutional, and public. The findings are presented for each actor group in turn.
First, CSS has enriched the academic evidence base, enhanced methodological capacities, and improved coherence of UCP/CSP as a field of research and practice. Second, it has enabled communities to recognise, validate, and strengthen existing protection practices, and to apply them more intentionally, collectively, and confidently. Third, it has supported the translation of community knowledge into actionable frameworks, developed practitioner capacity and legitimacy, and enabled the integration and diffusion of UCP/CSP approaches across organisations and initiatives. Fourth, it has facilitated incremental incorporation of UCP/CSP principles into policy discussions, training systems, and advisory processes. Finally, CSS has enhanced the visibility and legitimacy of nonviolent approaches to protection and created an enabling environment for their uptake. Three considerations emerge for His Majesty’s Government (HMG): (i) invest in long-term, equitable research partnerships, (ii) strengthen impact pathways from research to policy and practice, and (iii) recognise and resource the full value of research partnerships.