Presented by R. Assé, K. Tohtubtiang, J. Gilbert and D. Grace at the 2012 Ecohealth conference held at Kunming, China on 15-18 October 2012.

1. Strategies for adopting EcoHealth theory and practice: Lessons from
action-research on zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia
EcoHealth Conference, Kunming China 2012
Assé, R., Tohtubtiang K., Gilbert, J., & Grace, D.

2. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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Presentation I. Process & Goals of EcoHealth Uptake Assessment
Overview
II. Analytical Framework
III. Description of 5 Key Adoption Factors & Dynamics
a. Knowledge Exchange & Decision Making
b. Use of Social Science
c. Research Project Management
d. Management of Organizational Culture
e. Management of Expectations
IV. Conclusion

3. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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EcoHealth Uptake Assessment process
• formative & participatory - 8 EcoHealth teams -
EcoZD - zoonotic emerging infectious diseases -
ZEIDs - 6 countries
• aligned with Outcome Mapping process
• interviews, focus group discussions, review of
outputs
• 12 month period

4. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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EcoHealth Uptake Assessment goals
• understand how/why research teams adopt &
practice specific EcoHealth principles
• understand & identify best-bet practices
• contribute to constructing model EcoHealth
action-research

5. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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Analytical Framework
Focus question Strategy for exploring Observed factors
managing knowledge &
Organizational factors Characterize decision-making
that promote or hinder organizational culture &
adoption? knowledge practices. managing norms & culture
using social science
EcoHealth principles Identify
practiced? best-bet research practices.
managing research
Identify managing research
Added value
ZEID policies/practices
of these practices?
influenced by team. managing norms/culture
Document
managing expectations
Costs & benefits cost mitigation &
of these practices? benefit enhancement
strategies.

6. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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Description of factors
Exchanging knowledge & making decisions
free flowing information, learning environment, informed decisions
Using social science
systems thinking via synthetic linking of studies/phases/components
within a research project
Managing research
time & resource allocation for experimenting with EcoHealth
Managing organizational culture & host institute norms
re-tooling structures & habits to integrate EcoHealth principles
Managing expectations
to mitigate costs & capture benefits/added value

7. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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LOW capacity
vertical information flow
hierarchical decision-making
Managing
knowledge exchange &
decision-making
low information/knowledge exchange
low peer-learning
limited transdisciplinary collaboration

8. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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MEDIUM capacity
Information/knowledge sharing
less hierarchical decision-making
Managing
knowledge exchange &
decision-making
a learning environment
in-team equity
transdisciplinary coordination

9. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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HIGH capacity
horizontal/equitable information
flow
Managing participatory decision-making
knowledge exchange &
decision-making
an intentional learning community
adaptive decision-making
transdisciplinary collaboration for
systems thinking

10. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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LIMITED integration of social science
limited systems thinking
Using social science
limited integration of research
studies
no case-study or model construction
approach
minimal linkages with practice
low potential for policy
recommendations

11. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
10
SIMPLE integration of social science
multidisciplinary thinking
Using social science
some integration of research studies
consideration of case-study approach
some linkages with practice
some potential for policy
recommendations

12. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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COMPLEX integration of social science
systems thinking
Using social science
transdisciplinary integration of
research studies
use of case-study & model construction
significant linkages with practice
strategic policy recommendations

13. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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LOW capacity
inefficient project administration
inefficient research planning &
Managing execution
a research project
low innovation potential
minimal transdisciplinary collaboration
minimal integration of EcoHealth

14. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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MEDIUM capacity
efficient project administration
efficient research planning &
Managing execution
a research project
intentional innovations
effective time/resource use for
collaboration
intentional integration of EcoHealth

15. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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HIGH capacity
project administration to
manage costs/benefits
Managing research planning to
create added value
a research project
innovation & experimentation
transdisciplinary collaboration
for mixed methods
structured integration of EcoHealth

16. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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LOW capacity
minimal negotiation Managing
of institute norms organizational culture
strong adherence to protocol,
chain of command &
disciplinary thinking
minimal changes in communication
protocol
minimal integration of EcoHealth

17. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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MEDIUM capacity
negotiation of institute norms Managing
to integrate EcoHealth organizational culture
strategic negotiation of
protocols & chain of command
effective communication of EcoHealth
intentional move to systems thinking
strategic integration of EcoHealth

18. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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HIGH capacity
effective negotiation Managing
of institute norms to integrate organizational culture
EcoHealth
redefinition of protocols,
chain of command for
transdisciplinarity
establishment of organizational
structures for EcoHealth
EcoHealth-centered

19. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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LOW capacity
limited appraisals of capacities,
assets, resources
Managing non-alignment with EcoHealth goals
expectations
limited value-added components
limited institution-building

20. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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MEDIUM capacity
realistic appraisals of capacities,
assets, resources
Managing
alignment with EcoHealth goals
expectations
value-added components
strategic institution-building

21. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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HIGH capacity
mitigation of costs to
capitalize on benefits
alignment with EcoHealth goals
Managing
expectations
value-added components
strategic institution-building

22. EcoHealth Uptake Assessment – Adoption Factors & Dynamics
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I. Transforming theory into practice – praxis – focusses on
management.
Conclusion II. Reflection & self-appraisal allows move from “Medium”
to “High.”
I. Managing -
knowledge, decisions, social science use, research,
organizational culture, expectations -
impacts uptake of EcoHealth principles.

23. EcoZD Project
for information on EcoZD
www.ilri.org/ecozd
www.ilriasia.wordpress.com/tag/ecozd
for references contact
R.Asse@cgiar.org