Understanding decision makers and their needs: framing GBADs offerings to enhance relevance and increase impact

In a world characterised by data deserts and data swamps, translating evidence to actionable policies and practices is not easy. This paper addresses this challenge through the lens of evidence emerging from the Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) initiative. The article emphasises the need for an intentional approach that connects research information with the specific needs of decision-makers and identifies specific impact pathways associated with different groups of decision-makers.

The GBADs programme aims to support animal health decisions and we outline the diverse landscape of decision-makers in this field, encompassing public and private sectors, livestock keepers, civil society, and international development agencies. Key issues such as disease prioritisation and lobbying are also discussed.

We propose an ‘evidence ecosystem’ approach, that understands data users and their interactions, for analysing decision maker needs and framing GBADs offerings according to these. Two case studies, a recently concluded global case study of disease prioritisation decision making and an ongoing policy analysis and needs assessment for GBADs in Indonesia, are presented to demonstrate how evidence ecosystem analysis and audience segmentation could be used to tailor GBADs information offerings for different decision-making groups.

The paper concludes by recommending that GBADs future applications should prioritise information offerings, adapt them to decision-makers’ needs, and consider how different segments of decision-makers will utilise the information to achieve real-world impacts.