TABLE 3.

Social learning contributions to the ASSAR Botswana case.

Title of the change case: Social learning processes contributed to the sustained engagement of high-level government personnel and ongoing collaboration between the Botswana Government, the University of Botswana (UB) and Oxfam

Key actors (pseudonyms): James and David (Oxfam-ASSAR partners); Thomas (principal investigator of ASSAR’s UB team); Moteane (early career researcher and later coordinator of the ASSAR’s UB team)

Contribution claims and associated scenes of the contribution story:

(1) Tailored workshops contributed to mutual engagement: The VRA methodology was adapted by the Oxfam team to strengthen Southern partners’ capacity to engage in user-oriented research-later called RiU, or research-into-use, Cundill (2018). James and David had initiated a RiU working group, but it “didn't quite gel” with many academic partners. After attending the first RiU workshop and “spending time” with James and David, Thomas “warmed up” to the concept. On a shared ride to the airport, David proposed an in-person visit to continue the discussion of finding a boundary organization to host the RiU person in Botswana.

(2) Prolonged engagement contributed to developing trust across partner organizations: After months of struggling without proper staffing, Thomas, with the support of James and David, negotiated for the creation of a special position and associated funding from IDRC to give Moteane additional responsibilities to play the brokering role as the RiU focal person. This process contributed to establishing interpersonal trust between the UB and Oxfam teams, as Thomas witnessed that James and David were “working along with [them] at every point” and “would come to agreement at every corner” to meet the needs of the partners and local stakeholders.

(3) Ongoing learning contributed to new modes of pursuing research at UB and drought management in the region: Thomas’ and Moteane’s in-person introductory visits contributed to the relationship building between the ASSAR team and the sub-district officers in Bobonong. These community leaders became the primary members of the knowledge group to co-plan and later participate in the VRA workshop in Bobonong in 2015. Jointly led by the UB and Oxfam teams, the workshop was received positively, resulting in an official commitment to adopting the VRA methodology into district level planning between the Botswana government and local stakeholders.