The 2nd peer-to-peer Getting Research Into Policy and Practice (GRIPP) learning event was held in Cape Town from June 24 to 27 2024.

Organized by Institute of Tropical Medicine and UWC School of Public Health, the event brought together 27 participants from partner institutions in five countries across Africa, Latin America and Europe.

Building on last year’s gathering, the learning event focused on designing and Implementing research for GRIPP, and bridging the Research-Policy Gap. Participants engaged in individual and collective appraisal of their research in relation to the research continuum, proximity to policy, co-production and its challenges and benefits, communication and advocacy strategies, and GRIPP plans for projects and institutions.

The event concluded with an insightful panel discussion featuring local researchers and community activists. They shared their experiences and engaged in an interactive discussion with participants about strategies for bridging the research-policy gap.

To address the research-policy gap, panel emphasized that researchers should strive to understand the political economy of issues and policy cycles, embrace active citizenship & advocacy roles, maintain humility, build relationships through sustained engagement and integrity.

Participants shared their individual takeaways on the ‘fruits and roots’ of the peer-to-peer GRIPP learning event, reflecting on both the key highlights of their learning and the enabling processes and activities, and suggestions for the next event.