Khulisa, together with its partners at LASER PULSE, recently completed a study on the nature and scope of trafficking in persons (TIP) in South Africa. The study involved several substantial challenges, including accessing victims/survivors of TIP and conducting this sensitive research during the COVID-19 pandemic. This “TIP tip” is the first in a series stemming from lessons learned during the TIP project.

“TIP tip” #1: Engage stakeholders across each phase of the research

Stakeholder engagement is critical for any research project. But when conducting a large, multi-phase study with lots of partners and stakeholders, like the TIP project, it can be difficult to gain buy-in and collaboration from the all the relevant departments and organizations involved.

During the TIP project, Khulisa conducted applied research involving multiple stakeholders in government and civil society. We kept our stakeholders engaged using several strategies:

1.      Presenting the purpose of the research in the early stages of implementation;

2.      Holding regular discussions and presentations on the emerging findings; and

3.      Conducting a final presentation and dialogue on the implications of the results.

Purposefully engaging with our stakeholders throughout the project helped strengthen the analysis and framing of recommendations to inform TIP policy and practice.

Stay tuned for our second “TIP tip” next week.