Watch our interview with Robyn Mildon, Executive Director, Centre for Evidence and Implementation and Ruth Stewart, Director Africa Centre for Evidence

What is the event?

This Nesta Sparks: Toolbox session focuses on how to create and grow an evidence centre. Over the last 10 years there has been a growth in evidence centres - such as What Works Centres and an Evidence Quarter - funded by national governments, foundations, philanthropists and others. But how can you make a difference on the ground using research and evidence? What is the best way to set up an organisation that is sustainable and influential? This session aims to share the lessons of past and current evidence intermediary institutions.

You’ll hear from Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive, Early Intervention Foundation and Michael Sanders, Chief Executive What Works for Children's Social Care, and Hasan Bakhshi, Executive Director, Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. You’ll also be given the opportunity to send in your questions and we’ll pose these to our speakers during our dedicated Q&A session.

Who is it for and why should I come?

This session is for anyone interested in using evidence, evaluations and experimentation for better public services, specifically those coming from research, funding, charity or public sectors who would like practical advice on how to set up or grow an effective Evidence Centre - that can influence practice and policy.

*Please note that our Nesta Sparks sessions are accredited with CPD Continuing Professional Development certification. Continuing Professional Development is essential in helping individuals, organisations or entire industries to keep skills and knowledge up to date. Providing CPD enables organisations to become a knowledge bank to key stakeholders of your organisation. CPD accredited training courses, workshops and events allow professionals to use the learning time towards individual CPD requirements.