In addition to the established impact agenda, those doing research for development now also have to contend with the Overseas Development Assistance research agenda. Valeria Izzi observes that while there are clear similarities between the two, so far remarkably little reflection has gone into how they fit together.

Valeria Izzi asks, when it comes to research for development, can we really have it all? Or are we setting the bar so high that researchers will be discouraged from even trying – instead embellishing their proposals with enough impact, partnership, and co-production jargon to win funding, before getting on with research as usual?