Strengthening the Research Ecosystem in the Social Sciences in Tunisia: Towards a New Approach to Knowledge and Development

This report is the outcome of a trilateral collaboration between the Global Development Network (GDN), the Forum of Applied Social Sciences (ASSF), and the Tunisian Directorate General of Scientific Research (DGRS). This pioneering partnership seeks to strengthen research in the social sciences as a strategic tool to support public policies and development in Tunisia, through the first-ever application of the Doing Research framework in the Arab world. At its core, the initiative aims to make scientific knowledge a practical tool for understanding the country’s social, political, and economic transformations, while providing evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers.

What makes this report distinctive is its adoption of a socio-epistemological approach that goes beyond conventional indicators. It sheds light on the actual conditions of knowledge production: from researchers’ practices and working environments, to institutional structures, funding mechanisms, and the complex interactions between academia and political as well as social contexts. The findings are organized around three main pillars: analyzing the broader context of national transformations, mapping and critically assessing the institutions producing knowledge, and surveying researchers themselves through a comprehensive questionnaire.

Ultimately, the report does not limit itself to descriptive diagnosis. It provides a systematic analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Tunisia’s research ecosystem and proposes a practical roadmap to strengthen the role of social sciences as a driver of innovation, social change, and sustainable development. This work stands as a model of fruitful collaboration between local and international actors, and serves as a key reference for supporting public policy debates…