Research at FCDO

Research and Evidence Directorate (RED) and Chief Scientific Adviser

Research and Evidence Directorate brings together departments to:

• deliver expert analysis and advice informing decision-making across the FCDO
• harness UK science strengths to deliver R&D investments to enhance FCDO’s development and diplomatic impact
• deliver science and technology partnerships to maximise the UK’s impact internationally

RED ensures FCDO has access to external expertise and supports the UK to become a science and technology superpower. We work closely with research institutions and the private sector to deliver impact. We support FCDO’s networks of expert advisers working in countries across the world to deliver development and diplomacy impact. UK influence is strengthened through global science and tech partnerships, facilitated by our global Science and Innovation Network (joint with Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)) and regional Research & Innovation Hubs.

The directorate is led by Professor Charlotte Watts, FCDO Chief Scientific Adviser.

Research Analysts

Research Analysts are geographical and thematic experts who provide timely, high-quality, evidence-based research and analysis to FCDO ministers and senior officials. Organised into 10 Research Groups, Research Analysts are an integral part of the policy-making process as their work informs the department and contributes to International Academy training. Research Analysts form part of the Research and Evidence Directorate.

Further information

• FCDO-funded research outputs from projects and programmes: Research for Development Outputs
• open and enhanced access policy: helps make the research we fund freely available and to increase the uptake and use of it (originally published by the Department for International Development)
• funding opportunities, including research calls and procurement events, are published on International development funding, and @FCDOProcurement and @FCDOResearch
• UK Collaborative on Development Research (UKCDR) published a series of success stories highlighting the contribution of UK research to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, including projects funded by FCDO
• FCDO published Evaluations and Management Responses: evaluations of FCDO’s programmes and their corresponding management responses
• FCDO 2022 Evaluation Policy: ensures a common understanding of evaluation principles and the minimum standards that support the principles. The FCDO 2022 Evaluation Strategy outlines how we will support the quality and use of evaluation, and how we will guide what is evaluated in the FCDO

Social media

• FCDO Research @FCDOResearch
• FCDO Research Analysts @FCDO_RA
• Director of RED and FCDO Chief Scientific Adviser @CharlotteHWatts
• UK Science and Innovation Network @UKSINet
• RED social media thematic accounts