Please note that many of the links below are to external websites.

Welcome to the first newsletter from the ESRC-DFID Scheme's Strategic Advisory Team (SAT). The SAT was appointed in 2010 with the remit to work with projects to enhance the development impact of projects and the overall Scheme, and works very closely with the Scheme’s funders, ESRC and DFID.

A new microsite for the Scheme has been launched to make it much easier to see the Scheme's research and how it is being used to change lives around the world. This site will link directly to the Research Councils' new Research Outcomes System, which means that as soon as a researcher submits information about their research, it will be publicised on the web. Each month you’ll be able to see highlighted publications and other research outcomes that illustrate the types of impact that the Scheme is achieving.

The SAT has recently contributed to two events. The first was 'Assessing the impact of research relevant to international development: sharing lessons and improving coherence'; organised by UKCDS and ESPA. I also have the role of being the Director for ESPA and am promoting a similar approach to building impact across both programmes. This emphasises that projects supported by the Scheme are expected to deliver Research Excellence with Development Impact. You'll be able to read more about this when the Scheme's Impact Strategy is finalised and published in the near future.

More recently, the SAT brought together researchers from projects funded under Phase 2 of the Scheme to share their experiences and discuss the Scheme's proposed approach to impact. Reports and presentations from the workshop are now available. It was really good to meet so many researchers from the Scheme and to hear them share their enthusiasm about their work.

The SAT will be very active over the next few months, with the launch of the dedicated Scheme website, a call for small research projects to produce thematic evidence reviews and the publication of the Impact Strategy. In addition in responses to feedback from the recent workshop, the SAT will be providing draft guidance to projects on topics including ethics, data management and publications. The best way to make sure that you are kept updated is to register for the Scheme's mailing list through the ESRC-DFID partnership brokering service.

On behalf of the SAT and the Scheme's funders I hope that you find this newsletter useful and informative. If you'd like to give feedback, ideas for future issues or contribute, please email the SAT. We look forward to hearing from you.

Paul van Gardingen, Lead Strategic Advisor