The Africa PID Alliance’s Post

Updates from our #openinfrastructure program

This week I am at the 3rd Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) and Global Research Council (GRC) Forum, where we are exploring and discussing the future of research funding and collaboration, particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. In an era characterized by exponential technological growth, the need for a structured approach to research governance becomes increasingly urgent and as such my view is that the establishment of a robust Research Council in Botswana is imminent, this can help position Botswana as a leader in scientific inquiry and innovation. #Innovation #SustainableDevelopment #ResearchFunding #SDGs #Agenda2030 #UN 🇧🇼🇺🇳

Research and Development in Africa: Why does it matter? #UNECA #ScientificInvestment #UNESCO #Africa.com #ResearchCoalition #QualityResearch #WorldEconomicForum #WorldBank #AfricanResearch • Investment in African research and development (R&D) will boost its economic growth, and enable the continent harness technology for a green, inclusive and resilient Africa. • Academic innovation leads to economic growth: R&D ventures can help fast-track the realization of a digitally and ecologically smart future for the continent. • For Africa to have a thriving, knowledge-based economy, the public and private sectors need to collaborate. AfrogateResearch.net - Knowledge Empowerment, Research Visibility, and Impact

Updates from our #OpenInfrastructure program

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) empowers African researchers to address pressing global challenges through innovative science and collaboration. In partnership the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , Wellcome Trust,The Rockefeller Foundation,Pasteur Network,Grand Challenges Canada and Foundation S, through our Grand Challenges Africa (GC Africa) initiative, we are investing in 8 ground-breaking innovations that lie at the intersection of climate, health, agriculture, and gender. This initiative not only highlights the potential of African-led science but also underscores the critical importance of partnerships in advancing evidence-led research. These innovative projects exemplify the transformative power of evidence-led research. By investing in innovations that integrate climate and health considerations, we are addressing immediate challenges and also paving the way for long-term solutions. These initiatives are crucial for building a sustainable future for Africa, where scientific research plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and practices that improve lives. As we move forward, it is imperative to continue nurturing these partnerships and collaborations. Together, we can unlock the full potential of African science, ensuring that it not only contributes to local development but also positions Africa as a leader in global scientific discourse. Discover more about our initiative and its potential impact: https://bit.ly/48v9v1Z #Partnerships #AfricanScience #Collaboration

Africa's Brain Drain: Funding is the Missing Link Imagine a continent brimming with brilliant minds, ready to tackle global challenges. Now imagine those minds being stifled by a lack of funding. That's the reality for African researchers. We're losing talent, stalling progress, and missing out on groundbreaking discoveries because of a critical funding gap. It's time to invest in Africa's future. Let's empower our researchers and unleash the potential of African innovation. #AfricanResearch #FundingGap #ScienceInnovation #FutureofAfrica

🌍 Exciting Partnership Announcement: the African Reproducibility Network Joins Forces with The Collaborative Library! 📚 We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between the African Reproducibility Network (AREN) and the Collaborative Library. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between researchers and the broader public by making scientific research more accessible and understandable. The Collaborative Library connects those conducting research with individuals interested in their outcomes. It offers a platform where participating organisation members can upload and showcase lay summaries of key research articles. These summaries can be presented in various formats, including written documents, infographics, audio, and video, ensuring that scientific knowledge is accessible in the most digestible forms. Join us in celebrating this milestone as we work towards transforming the landscape of scientific communication. Here’s to making science open and accessible to all! #AfricanReproducibilityNetwork #CollaborativeLibrary #OpenScience #ResearchAccessibility #ScienceCommunication #Partnership

Very chuffed that #TheCollaborativeLibrary has partnered with the African Reproducibility Network! 🔬 But are Reproducibility Networks important? Yes!! Here is why: Enhancing Integrity: Ensuring reliable and consistent research results. Building Trust: Promoting transparency and accountability. Facilitating Collaboration: Bringing researchers together to share best practices. Improving Efficiency: Preventing duplication and saving resources. Supporting Policy: Helping develop and implement global standards. Training & Education: Providing essential resources and training. Reproducibility is key to advancing science! 🌟 #OpenScience #Research #Transparency #Collaboration #Reproducibility #AcademicResearch

#DevelopmentImpactEvaluation Spending the week in Cape Town at the inaugural Africa LEADS program, in the company of Randomistas (never have I been in one room sorrounded by such a high concentration of PhD Economists) 😂😂. These fellas sleep and dream randomization! Insightful intellectual discussions to really understand What really is the impact of our work? What evidence do we have to show to prove our impact? How do we measure and present this evidence in such a manner that it influences large scale Government Programs and Policies rather than just gracing “world renown peer reviewed journals”? ( I still think that world of peer reviewed journals may be a Sect). I am definitely going back home better equipped to apply analytical resources to turn data into value, to develop evidence we need to Shed Light 💡 on our Path. I know Dr. George Wainaina will ask what concrete lessons can I show for being here.😂 Here it is friend, Biggest take away for me is the need for us to measure, understand and scale up best ways to Fight Entropy in Infrastructure Services! https://lnkd.in/eb6NHrvH

Last Thursday with my colleague Helen Farmer, I had the privilege of attending a workshop hosted by Perivoli Africa Research Centre (PARC) that explored the implications of the #AfricaCharter for research impact. This is an Africa-led initiative “to advance of research that will advance and uphold the continent’s production of scientific knowledge”. It was a fascinating two hours hearing from scholars who collaborate with African colleagues about the challenges they have experienced due to university bureaucracy and due diligence but also the particular demands of REF #impact. This event was very much a ‘starter for 10’. It highlighted the risks of extractive practices and tokenistic attempts at creating pathways to impact to ‘internationalise’ research impact. One of the most interesting discussion was how the REF template can encourage a ‘hero narrative’ that runs the risk of misrepresenting and downplaying the essential and valuable contribution of partners. I often say that the ics is a ‘peculiar beast’ that represents a very particular and narrow version of reality for the purpose of assessment of reach and significance. Writing case studies that effectively convey the rich tapestry of contributions that lead to ‘REFable’ research impact is a challenge due to the practical constraints of the word count and template. No easy answers but a discussion that is vital and critically needed now as the community and @UKRI_Research England develop the guidance for #REF2029. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic: Alex Lewis Jo Lakey Andrew Wray Mark Reed @Lucy Series Rebecca Fairbairn Allen Mukhwana John Kirkland, O.B.E Silke Blohm Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu, MBChB, MSc, PhD, PGCTHE, FHEA Sarah Naomi Lee Sarah Njeri