Perspective Towards a Successful Post COVID-19 Transition of Monitoring,
Evaluation, and Learning in Complex Sustainability Science
Research-to-Policy Projects
Sylvia Szabo 1,* , Brighton Nhau 2, Takuji W. Tsusaka 2 , Reuben M. J. Kadigi 3 , Tanya Payne 4, Joseph Rajabu Kangile 3 , Kwang Soon Park 5, Matheus Couto 6, Lisen Runsten 4 and Neil D. Burgess 4
1 Department of Social Welfare and Counselling, College of Future Convergence, Dongguk University,
14620 Seoul, Korea
2 Department of Development and Sustainability, Asian Institute of Technology, 12120 Pathum Thani, Thailand;
brighton@ait.asia (B.N.); takuji@ait.asia (T.W.T.)
3 School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Studies, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA),
Morogoro P.O. BOX 3007, Tanzania; rmjkadigi@yahoo.co.uk (R.M.J.K.); kangilej@gmail.com (J.R.K.)
4 UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), 219 Huntingdon
Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK; Tanya.Payne@unep-wcmc.org (T.P.); lisen.runsten@unep-wcmc.org (L.R.);
Neil.Burgess@unep-wcmc.org (N.D.B.)
5 Division of General Mathematics, University of Seoul, 02504 Seoul, Korea; parkksn@gmail.com
6 UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 70800-400 Brasilia, Brazil;
Matheus.Couto@unep-wcmc.org
* Correspondence: sylviaszabo@dongguk.edu
Abstract: There is an emerging body of literature focusing on the COVID-19 livelihoods and environmental impacts, as well as the effects of the pandemics on evidence generation. However, little attention has been paid to how COVID-19 has—and is likely to continue to—affect monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems, specifically in the context of large sustainability science research-to-policy project consortia. Here, we provide a conceptual framework of MEL responsiveness to COVID-19 effects and discuss the specific pathways to successful MEL transition. Using the UKRI GCRF TRADE Hub as a case study, we provide some examples of possible adjustments within the new context.
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