Gevers, A., Dartnall, E., & Pino, A. (2020). SVRI Knowledge Exchange: Lessons learned – Pivoting to online learning in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pretoria: SVRI.
Abstract
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) – loyal to its feminist value of promoting continuous and participatory two-way learning – places strong emphasis on facilitating the flow of ideas and exchange of expertise and experiences among its membership base and its grantees worldwide. One of our flagship initiatives is the SVRI Research Grant. The Grant supports researchers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to strengthen and expand evidence in the field of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). A key component of this grant is strengthening capacity of grantees on VAW and VAC research ethics, methods and tools as well as building relationships with and between each grantee team. Every year since the inception of the programme, project initiation meetings and capacity strengthening workshops have been held face to face. It has been a central activity in our calendar that both the SVRI staff and the new grantees await with anticipation and excitement. In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic dictated a quick and significant pivot to an online workshop format. There was never an option to cancel the workshop or postpone it – it was just too important, and we had to adapt. In this resource, we are sharing the many lessons we learnt during this process of adaptation.
