Bridging Science and Practice-Importance of Stakeholders in the Development of Decision Support: Lessons Learned

Innocent K. Tumwebaze, Joan B. Rose, Nynke Hofstra, Matthew E. Verbyla, Daniel A. Okaali, Panagis Katsivelis and Heather M. Murphy
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Innocent K. Tumwebaze: Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Lab, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
Joan B. Rose: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Nynke Hofstra: Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Matthew E. Verbyla: Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
Daniel A. Okaali: Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Panagis Katsivelis: Venthic Technologies, 121 37 Athens, Greece
Heather M. Murphy: Water, Health and Applied Microbiology Lab, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: User-friendly, evidence-based scientific tools to support sanitation decisions are still limited in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. This commentary provides lessons learned from the development of two sanitation decision support tools developed in collaboration with stakeholders in Uganda. We engaged with stakeholders in a variety of ways to effectively obtain their input in the development of the decision support tools. Key lessons learned included: tailoring tools to stakeholder decision-making needs; simplifying the tools as much as possible for ease of application and use; creating an enabling environment that allows active stakeholder participation; having a dedicated and responsive team to plan and execute stakeholder engagement activities; involving stakeholders early in the process; having funding sources that are flexible and long-term; and including resources for the acquisition of local data. This reflection provides benchmarks for future research and the development of tools that utilize scientific data and emphasizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the development process.

Keywords: decision support; tools; practice; sanitation; stakeholders; pathogens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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