Thank you for this topic. This debate on “feedback-to-action” is very relevant. In my PhD research, I have been exploring precisely this gap between evaluations and the effective use of their results, especially in the context of agricultural research. In a recent paper, we showed that the barriers are not only technical, but also structural, cultural, and relational — something that strongly resonates with what has been raised here.
In the same study, we discussed how the use of research impact evaluation results remains limited and often associated more with accountability than with learning or strategic management (Pinto & Bin, 2025). Building on this, we developed AgroRadarEval (Pinto et al., 2024) — an interactive tool that seeks to systematize this use, aligning evaluation with the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Responsible Research Assessment (RRA).
To complement the discussion: I see the notion of a “culture of impact” as an important bridge. It shifts the perspective from “evaluation as compliance” to “evaluation as a driver of transformation,” connecting the institutionalization of processes with real changes in planning, collaboration, and communication. This concept can broaden the perspective on feedback-to-action by articulating not only processes and systems, but also values and organizational reflexivity.
RE: How to Ensure Effective Utilization of Feedback and Recommendations from Evaluation Reports in Decision-Making
Brazil
Daniela Maciel Pinto
Manager
Embrapa
Posted on 26/08/2025
Dear Monica and all,
Thank you for this topic. This debate on “feedback-to-action” is very relevant. In my PhD research, I have been exploring precisely this gap between evaluations and the effective use of their results, especially in the context of agricultural research. In a recent paper, we showed that the barriers are not only technical, but also structural, cultural, and relational — something that strongly resonates with what has been raised here.
In the same study, we discussed how the use of research impact evaluation results remains limited and often associated more with accountability than with learning or strategic management (Pinto & Bin, 2025). Building on this, we developed AgroRadarEval (Pinto et al., 2024) — an interactive tool that seeks to systematize this use, aligning evaluation with the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Responsible Research Assessment (RRA).
To complement the discussion: I see the notion of a “culture of impact” as an important bridge. It shifts the perspective from “evaluation as compliance” to “evaluation as a driver of transformation,” connecting the institutionalization of processes with real changes in planning, collaboration, and communication. This concept can broaden the perspective on feedback-to-action by articulating not only processes and systems, but also values and organizational reflexivity.