User:Ronald.munatsi

Short Biography
Ronald Munatsi’s experience is mostly in evidence synthesis, evidence literacy and knowledge management including capacity building to strengthen research and evidence use in policymaking. He has previously worked as a researcher and knowledge management specialist with a research interest around open data and open access. He is now involved in initiatives to develop the capacity of policymakers to recognise, articulate and act on research evidence to inform public policy. He works mostly in programmes to interface research and policy through capacity building and active engagement of stakeholders where focus is mainly on strengthening individual skills and institutional processes including building a national evidence infrastructure with active linkages                                                                                                                                between policymakers, researchers, civic society, the media and other important actors in the research-to-policy mix.

Professional Background
Director, Research Uptake, Zimabwe Evidence Informed Policy Network

[ Former Deputy Director- Parliament of Zimbabwe Research Services; Chief Information Officer, Standards Association of Zimbabwe; Research Assistant, UNESCO]

Education
MPhil Information & Library studies, Aberystwyth University, UK

Post Graduate Diploma Management Information Systems, Midlands State University

Higher National Diploma, Harare Polytechnic

Diploma in Information Technology, Harare Polytechnic

Research Interests
Evidence Synthesis, Research Uptake, Open Data, OA, FOSS

Projects Implemented

1.    Embedding RApid Reviews in Health Systems Decision Making Supported by World Health Organisation and the Alliance for Health Policy & Systems Research  (Current)

2.    Building Capacity to Use Research Evidence (BCURE )– Supported by DFID

3.    Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI) - Supported by the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP). UK

4.    Public Access to Health Information (PAHI) – Supported by PHI, UK

5.    Development of Evidence Informed Policymaking Toolkit as part of the Vakayiko Consortium

6.    Strengthening  Research and Knowledge Systems (SRKS) supported by INASP, UK

Papers/Presentations
 * Munatsi, R. (2019). National Research and Knowledge Systems: Role of Libraries. In C. Chisita (Ed.), Cooperation and Collaboration Initiatives for Libraries and Related Institutions (pp. 273-293). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-0043-9.ch014


 * Towards cohesive consortia organisation and smart partnerships: enabling sustainable access and effective utilisation of agricultural e-resources in Zimbabwean academic and research libraries' World Library &amp; Information Congress, IFLA conference, Milan Italy, August 2009)
 * Implementation of Library 2.0 services in African academic and research libraries:Need for “Fundamental Rethink” Accepted for presentation during the SCESCAL conference, Gaborone, Dec 2010.
 * Technology-driven innovations: Knowledge Management for technopreneural Development in institutions of Higher Learning in Harare” (Collaboration effort with C.T. Chisita and presented during the SAASTA Conference, South Africa, 2009). ]
 * Diffusion of scientific knowledge through open access and social networking, Euro-Africa Forum for ICT Reseach, Addis Ababa, 3-4 February 2010.
 * 'E-skills for Progressive Governance: Supporting Evidence-informed Policy Making in African Parliaments' eSkills Summit 2010, 26 - 28 July 2010, Cape Sun Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa

Professional Affiliation
·       Member of the UK Research & Innovation Peer Review College

.      Africa Centre for Evidence (ACE) Scientific Programme Committee Member

·       Member of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP), UK

·       International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Standing Committee Member (Science & Technology  Section)

·       Board member, Zimbabwe National Libraries & Documentation Services Council

·       Executive Committee Member, Zimbabwe Library Association

My Reflection
The dynamics of today's knowledge and technology driven information society demand continuing e-skills development of all stakeholders in the knowledge paradigm. Open Education Resources provide an indispensable condition for national reforms to adopt and implement development programmes, concepts and techniques; and a way to network and exchange knowledge and best practices. OER serve as vital instruments of regular updating of knowledge and an effective way to revitalise professional habits thereby enabling individuals to speedily adapt to new dispensations. This community should have a vision to develop platforms that address the challenges presented by the knowledge society particularly as they relate to access and utilisation of Open Access Research Evidence products thereby gaining a competitive edge in our technology-driven knowledge economy.