Strengthening climate research capacity in Africa: lessons from the ‘Climate impact research capacity leadership enhancement’ project

Ogega, Obed M.; Lakey, George; Opisa, Rowland; Gyampoh, Benjamin Apraku

doi:10.1007/s10113-022-01997-x

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These include supportive factors such as the benefit of diverse networking opportunities,13 30 31 the benefits in taking on wide ranging (and new) tasks,32 or the peer learning and support available when working within a well-connected cohort 33. Solutions to address hindering factors identified here have also been suggested in the wider literature, such as allowing additional time when ECRs are tasked with completing a project as a capacity strengthening activity32 or placing fellows outside of their ‘home’ institutions in order to limit the potential for existing role or organisational responsibilities to undermine participation in a capacity strengthening programme 18 33. This apparent convergence in many reported findings, as well as complementary findings reported elsewhere such as the influence of scientific leadership and role-modelling as a capacity strengthening mechanism,31 suggest there may now be sufficient evidence across the broader literature to warrant a synthesis of common and emerging findings to inform good practice in learn-by-doing approaches to researcher capacity strengthening.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Complementary opportunities to develop leadership and general research skills were also provided. Similar ‘learning-by-doing’ approaches have been widely employed as a research capacity strengthening approach within international partnerships or consortia 18–20. Our study was specifically designed to identify PIIVeC programme factors that either supported or hindered African postdoctoral researcher capacity development conducted within a learn-by-doing format and, drawing on this information, determine key lessons for future programmes with similar objectives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Factors affecting African postdoctoral researcher capacity development within ‘learn-by-doing’ international research partnerships: findings from the ‘Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control (PIIVeC)’

Amegee Quach,

Valea,

Bates

et al. 2023

BMJ Glob Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionThe Partnership to Increase the Impact of Vector Control sought to develop the research and leadership capacity of 10 African postdoctoral vectorborne disease scientists via a ‘learn-by-doing’ approach. We identified factors that either supported or hindered their development and, drawing on this information, determined key lessons for future programmes with similar objectives.MethodsA longitudinal qualitative study encompassing focus group discussions and semistructured interviews conducted with the cohort of African postdoctoral fellows, programme leadership, supervisory and research support staff (N=28). Data analysis was informed by a general inductive approach.ResultsNumerous supportive and hindering factors were identified. Supportive factors were primarily structural or attitudinal in nature, whereas hindering factors were primarily operational or contextual. None of the supporting or hindering factors were specific to vectorborne disease research. Four key lessons for future programme implementation emerged, including: the value in exposing postdoctoral fellows to a diverse work-mix and training-mix to improve understanding of the broad skillset needed for scientific career advancement; recognising and managing the potentially competing interests of different partnership members to ensure everyone benefits from participation; ensuring equity of opportunity and rewarding engagement; and ensuring flexibility in support provision.ConclusionOur study highlights numerous factors that may be readily incorporated into early career researcher capacity strengthening initiatives based on a learn-by-doing approach. Many of these factors are supported by a growing weight of evidence and would be appropriate to research capacity strengthening programmes both within and outside of a vectorborne disease context.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting African postdoctoral researcher capacity development within ‘learn-by-doing’ international research partnerships: findings from the ‘Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control (PIIVeC)’

Amegee Quach,

Valea,

Bates

et al. 2023

BMJ Glob Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…By leveraging the collective knowledge of scientists and the strategic vision of governments, these bodies can drive focused research, expedite data sharing, and facilitate the implementation of evidence-based interventions. To ensure their impact and sustainability, conceptualizing and implementing innovative models of research capacity strengthening targeting indicators at the individual and institutional levels becomes highly necessary [ 43 ].…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate-influenced vector-borne diseases in Africa: a call to empower the next generation of African researchers for sustainable solutions

Obame-Nkoghe,

Agossou,

Mboowa

et al. 2024

Infect Dis Poverty

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We look at the link between climate change and vector-borne diseases in low- and middle-income countries in Africa. The large endemicity and escalating threat of diseases such as malaria and arboviral diseases, intensified by climate change, disproportionately affects vulnerable communities globally. We highlight the urgency of prioritizing research and development, advocating for robust scientific inquiry to promote adaptation strategies, and the vital role that the next generation of African research leaders will play in addressing these challenges. Despite significant challenges such as funding shortages within countries, various pan-African-oriented funding bodies such as the African Academy of Sciences, the Africa Research Excellence Fund, the Wellcome Trust, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as initiatives such as the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence and the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association, have empowered (or are empowering) these researchers by supporting capacity building activities, including continental and global networking, skill development, mentoring, and African-led research. This article underscores the urgency of increased national investment in research, proposing the establishment of research government agencies to drive evidence-based interventions. Collaboration between governments and scientific communities, sustained by pan-African funding bodies, is crucial. Through these efforts, African nations are likely to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of their systems and communities by navigating these challenges effectively, fostering scientific excellence and implementing transformative solutions against climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases.

show abstract

“…The unavailability of adequate funding has resulted in limited resources and infrastructure to drive research excellence, inadequate research support systems, and hardly any protected time for research. Other challenges include lack of a well-structured and coordinated system to support mentorship, publications, and career progression (11,12).…”

Section: Lessons Learnt Opportunities and Priorities In The Ssha Scho...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Research Leadership in Africa: Perspectives from the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts

Ogega¹,

Majani²,

Hendricks³

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Global and human development and freedoms increasingly thrive on robust and policy-oriented research and related activities. Yet, the African research landscape faces a myriad of challenges, resulting in a very unequal continent in terms of research and research capacity. The prevailing research inequities and challenges in Africa are even more pronounced in the social sciences, humanities, arts, and related fields (SSHA). Here, the strengths and impact of scholarship in SSHA fields are often overshadowed by deficits and apparent preferential investment in research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. In response, the African Academy of Sciences commissioned a study in 2020 to generate evidence on the SSHA research support landscape in Africa. This paper summarizes findings from the literature review, key informant interviews, a bibliometric analysis, a survey with a sample of 670 respondents from SSHA communities in Africa, and a series of focus group discussions. We highlight key messages and make recommendations focussing on lessons learnt opportunities, and priorities for intervention to enhance significant SSHA research leadership capacity strengthening and, ultimately, minimize research inequalities in Africa.

show abstract

Strengthening climate research capacity in Africa: lessons from the ‘Climate impact research capacity leadership enhancement’ project

Cited by 6 publications

References 13 publications

Factors affecting African postdoctoral researcher capacity development within ‘learn-by-doing’ international research partnerships: findings from the ‘Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control (PIIVeC)’

Factors affecting African postdoctoral researcher capacity development within ‘learn-by-doing’ international research partnerships: findings from the ‘Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control (PIIVeC)’

Climate-influenced vector-borne diseases in Africa: a call to empower the next generation of African researchers for sustainable solutions

Research Leadership in Africa: Perspectives from the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About