ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the Scaling Science approach. It explores examples of scaling impact from the Global South and presents a number of strategies distilled from the experience of those who have aimed for good change in their work. In early 2014, the Ebola virus began its devastation of West Africa, moving through countries, communities, and families with grim efficiency. In the worst-hit areas, the virus eliminated entire families. Those who fell ill started running off to die alone rather than risk infecting loved ones. A variety of circumstances, including unprepared health systems at the community, national, and international levels and social disintegration, compounded the problem and destabilised even the most holistic solutions. In the absence of reliable solutions, or when new or changing contexts reduce the reliability of existing solutions, scaling depends on research and innovation.
