1
|
Estany A, Piro FN, Broerse JEW, Malagrida R. Science Shops as key intermediary structures to respond to the current health research agenda bias: Evidence from the InSPIRES project. Health Expect 2024; 27:e14052. [PMID: 38653570 PMCID: PMC11039388 DOI: 10.1111/hex.14052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To increase the likelihood of research responding to societal needs, intermediary structures such as Science Shops are being created. Science Shops respond to research needs identified and prioritized through participatory processes involving civil society. However, these are not mainstream structures, and most research needs addressed by the scientific community are not defined by a diversity of stakeholders (including citizens) but are mostly prioritized by researchers and funders. Literature shows this often leads to bias between the research topics investigated and the research needs of other relevant stakeholders. This study analyses how 14 Science Shops contribute to decreasing bias in health research agenda setting. METHODOLOGY We compare the research priorities identified through participatory processes by the Science Shops, which participated in the European Union-funded project InSPIRES (2017-2021), to the available research addressed in the literature (identified in Web of Science), which we use as a proxy for current research priorities. RESULTS Science Shop projects contributed to decreasing the existing bias in health research agenda setting: (1) between drug and nondrug treatments and (2) between clinical trials of treatments for illnesses affecting high-income versus middle- and low-income countries, which leads to a lack of local strategies for high disease burdens in nonhigh-income regions. CONCLUSION This study provides the first evidence of Science Shops' effectiveness in addressing current biases in health research agenda setting. We conclude they could play a key role in shaping local, national and international research policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aina Estany
- Living Lab for HealthIrsiCaixa Research Institute, IGTPBadalonaSpain
| | - Fredrik Niclas Piro
- Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Education and Research (NIFU)OsloNorway
| | | | - Rosina Malagrida
- Living Lab for HealthIrsiCaixa Research Institute, IGTPBadalonaSpain
- Athena InstituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Adegnika OS, Honkpehedji YJ, Mougeni Lotola F, Agnandji ST, Adegnika AA, Lell B, Sicuri E. Funding patterns for biomedical research and infectious diseases burden in Gabon. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2155. [PMID: 34819025 PMCID: PMC8611934 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biomedical research plays an important role in improving health. There seems to exist a negative correlation between the amount of biomedical research funding and disease burden from all Sub-Saharan African countries. In this study, we describe funding patterns for biomedical research, explore the correlation between funding and burden of diseases, and quantify inequalities in funds distribution across diseases in Gabon over the period 2005–2015. Methods Data on medical research funds from 2005 to 2015 were retrieved through a structured questionnaire distributed to Gabonese biomedical research institutions and by consulting online databases. Data on the burden of diseases were gathered from the World Health Organization and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. We used Kendall rank correlation coefficient to explore the correlation between cumulative funds over time and the burden of disease. The inequality distribution of funding across diseases was assessed through Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve. Results Biomedical research funding was characterized by a remarkable growth from 2005 to 2010 and a decline from 2010 to 2014. Funds were mostly from external sources and from partnerships. There was inequality in research funds allocation across diseases and malaria was far the most funded disease. There was a significant negative correlation between cumulative funding and the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, and of Helminthiasis (from 2006 to 2010) suggesting that research may be contributing to the management of such diseases. A positive, although not significant, correlation was found between cumulative funds and malaria burden. Conclusions The negative correlation between HIV and tuberculosis cumulative funding and burden suggests that research may be contributing to the management of such diseases but further research is needed to assess the causal direction of such as relationship. As the burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing, more research funds should be focused on those. While research partnerships have been and will remain fundamental, Gabon should increase the amount of national funds to overcome periods of reduced research funding flows from abroad. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12201-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Selidji Todagbe Agnandji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ayola Akim Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), African partner institution, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bertrand Lell
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicines, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisa Sicuri
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Health Economics Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chirwa TF, Matsena Zingoni Z, Munyewende P, Manda SO, Mwambi H, Kandala NB, Kinyanjui S, Young T, Musenge E, Simbeye J, Musonda P, Mahande MJ, Weke P, Onyango NO, Kazembe L, Tumwesigye NM, Zuma K, Yende-Zuma N, Omanyondo Ohambe MC, Kweku EN, Maposa I, Ayele B, Achia T, Machekano R, Thabane L, Levin J, Eijkemans MJC, Carpenter J, Chasela C, Klipstein-Grobusch K, Todd J. Developing excellence in biostatistics leadership, training and science in Africa: How the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) training unites expertise to deliver excellence. AAS Open Res 2020; 3:51. [PMID: 33501413 PMCID: PMC7802118 DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13144.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in health research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has led to a high demand for biostatisticians to develop study designs, contribute and apply statistical methods in data analyses. Initiatives exist to address the dearth in statistical capacity and lack of local biostatisticians in SSA health projects. The Sub-Saharan African Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) led by African institutions was initiated to improve biostatistical capacity according to the needs identified by African institutions, through collaborative masters and doctoral training in biostatistics. SACCAB has created a critical mass of biostatisticians and a network of institutions over the last five years and has strengthened biostatistics resources and capacity for health research studies in SSA. SSACAB comprises 11 universities and four research institutions which are supported by four European universities. In 2015, only four universities had established Masters programmes in biostatistics and SSACAB supported the remaining seven to develop Masters programmes. In 2019 the University of the Witwatersrand became the first African institution to gain Royal Statistical Society accreditation for a Biostatistics Masters programme. A total of 150 fellows have been awarded scholarships to date of which 123 are Masters fellowships (41 female) of whom 58 have already graduated. Graduates have been employed in African academic (19) and research (15) institutions and 10 have enrolled for PhD studies. A total of 27 (10 female) PhD fellowships have been awarded; 4 of them are due to graduate by 2020. To date, SSACAB Masters and PhD students have published 17 and 31 peer-reviewed articles, respectively. SSACAB has also facilitated well-attended conferences, face-to-face and online short courses. Pooling of limited biostatistics resources in SSA combined with co-funding from external partners has shown to be an effective strategy for the development and teaching of advanced biostatistics methods, supervision and mentoring of PhD candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias F Chirwa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Pascalia Munyewende
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Samuel O Manda
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.,Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,School of Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.,Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Henry Mwambi
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Samson Kinyanjui
- Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Taryn Young
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eustasius Musenge
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Jupiter Simbeye
- Mathematical Sciences Department, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Patrick Musonda
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Michael Johnson Mahande
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Patrick Weke
- School of Mathematics, College of Biological and Physical Science, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nelson Owuor Onyango
- School of Mathematics, College of Biological and Physical Science, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lawrence Kazembe
- Department of Statistics and Population Studies,, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Khangelani Zuma
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.,Human and Social Capabilities (HSC) Research Division, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma
- Statistics and Data Management, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Marie-Claire Omanyondo Ohambe
- Biostatistics, Doctoral School, Institut Superieur Des Techniques Medicales De Kinshasa (ISTM), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Emmanuel Nakua Kweku
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Innocent Maposa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Birhanu Ayele
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas Achia
- Division of Global HIV & TB (DGHT), United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KEMRI Campus, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Rhoderick Machekano
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jonathan Levin
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Marinus J C Eijkemans
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - James Carpenter
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Charles Chasela
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.,Research statistics, Right to Care, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jim Todd
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chirwa TF, Matsena Zingoni Z, Munyewende P, Manda SO, Mwambi H, Kandala NB, Kinyanjui S, Young T, Musenge E, Simbeye J, Musonda P, Mahande MJ, Weke P, Onyango NO, Kazembe L, Tumwesigye NM, Zuma K, Yende-Zuma N, Omanyondo Ohambe MC, Kweku EN, Maposa I, Ayele B, Achia T, Machekano R, Thabane L, Levin J, Eijkemans MJ, Carpenter J, Chasela C, Klipstein-Grobusch K, Todd J. Developing excellence in biostatistics leadership, training and science in Africa: How the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) training unites expertise to deliver excellence. AAS Open Res 2020; 3:51. [DOI: 10.12688/aasopenres.13144.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in health research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has generated large amounts of data and led to a high demand for biostatisticians to analyse these data locally and quickly. Donor-funded initiatives exist to address the dearth in statistical capacity, but few initiatives have been led by African institutions. The Sub-Saharan African Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) aims to improve biostatistical capacity in Africa according to the needs identified by African institutions, through (collaborative) masters and doctoral training in biostatistics. We describe the SSACAB Consortium, which comprises 11 universities and four research institutions- supported by four European universities. SSACAB builds on existing resources to strengthen biostatistics for health research with a focus on supporting biostatisticians to become research leaders; building a critical mass of biostatisticians, and networking institutions and biostatisticians across SSA. In 2015 only four institutions had established Masters programmes in biostatistics and SSACAB supported the remaining institutions to develop Masters programmes. In 2019 the University of the Witwatersrand became the first African institution to gain Royal Statistical Society accreditation for a Biostatistics MSc programme. A total of 150 fellows have been awarded scholarships to date of which 123 are Masters fellowships (41 female) of which with 58 have already graduated. Graduates have been employed in African academic (19) and research (15) institutions and 10 have enrolled for PhD studies. A total of 27 (10 female) PhD fellowships have been awarded; 4 of them are due to graduate by 2020. To date, SSACAB Masters and PhD students have published 17 and 31 peer-reviewed articles, respectively. SSACAB has also facilitated well-attended conferences, face-to-face and online short courses. Pooling the limited biostatistics resources in SSA, and combining with co-funding from external partners is an effective strategy for the development and teaching of advanced biostatistics methods, supervision and mentoring of PhD candidates.
Collapse
|
5
|
Martínez Pérez G, Tarr-Attia CK, Breeze-Barry B, Sarukhan A, Lansana DP, Meyer García-Sípido A, Rosés A, Maixenchs M, Bassat Q, Mayor A. 'Researchers have love for life': opportunities and barriers to engage pregnant women in malaria research in post-Ebola Liberia. Malar J 2018; 17:132. [PMID: 29606141 PMCID: PMC5880008 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2292-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoption of prevention and therapeutic innovations to ensure that National Malaria Control Programmes meet their incidence reduction targets is highly dependent on the conduct of rigorous clinical trials. In Liberia, malaria control virtually halted during the recent Ebola epidemic, and could enormously benefit from innovations to protect its most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, against malaria. Health policy-planners could feel more inclined to adopt novel interventions with demonstrated safety and efficacy when trialled among their women population. However, pregnant women are especially vulnerable when targeted as research participants. Whilst some studies in the region attempted to understand the ethical issues around the conduct of clinical research, there is need of such information from Liberia to inform future malaria research. METHODS This is a grounded theory study that aims to understand the barriers and opportunities for pregnant women to consent to participate in malaria research in Liberia. The study was conducted between November 2016 and May 2017 at the St Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Monrovia. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were held with hospital staff, traditional community representatives, and pregnant women. RESULTS According to the participants, useful strategies to motivate pregnant women to consent to participate in malaria research could be providing evidence-based education on malaria and research to the general population and encouraging engagement of traditional leaders in research design and community mobilization. Fears and suspicions towards research and researchers, which were amplified during the conduct of Ebola vaccine and drug clinical trials, may influence women's acceptance and willingness to engage in malaria research. Population's mistrust in the public healthcare system might hinder their acceptance of research, undermining the probability of their benefiting from any improved malaria control intervention. CONCLUSION Benchmarking for acceptable practices from previous public health interventions; building community discussion and dissemination platforms; and mapping communication and information errors from how previous research interventions were explained to the Liberian population, are strategies that might help ensure a safe and fully informed participation of pregnant women in malaria research. Inequity issues impeding access and use of biomedical care for women must be tackled urgently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Martínez Pérez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Saint Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Tubman Boulevard, Oldest Congo Town, PO Box 10-512, 1100, Monrovia, Liberia.
| | - Christine K Tarr-Attia
- Saint Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Tubman Boulevard, Oldest Congo Town, PO Box 10-512, 1100, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Bondey Breeze-Barry
- Saint Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Tubman Boulevard, Oldest Congo Town, PO Box 10-512, 1100, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Adelaida Sarukhan
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dawoh Peter Lansana
- Saint Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Tubman Boulevard, Oldest Congo Town, PO Box 10-512, 1100, Monrovia, Liberia
| | | | - Anna Rosés
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Maixenchs
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Thomson DR, Semakula M, Hirschhorn LR, Murray M, Ndahindwa V, Manzi A, Mukabutera A, Karema C, Condo J, Hedt-Gauthier B. Applied statistical training to strengthen analysis and health research capacity in Rwanda. Health Res Policy Syst 2016; 14:73. [PMID: 27681517 PMCID: PMC5041513 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-016-0144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To guide efficient investment of limited health resources in sub-Saharan Africa, local researchers need to be involved in, and guide, health system and policy research. While extensive survey and census data are available to health researchers and program officers in resource-limited countries, local involvement and leadership in research is limited due to inadequate experience, lack of dedicated research time and weak interagency connections, among other challenges. Many research-strengthening initiatives host prolonged fellowships out-of-country, yet their approaches have not been evaluated for effectiveness in involvement and development of local leadership in research. Methods We developed, implemented and evaluated a multi-month, deliverable-driven, survey analysis training based in Rwanda to strengthen skills of five local research leaders, 15 statisticians, and a PhD candidate. Research leaders applied with a specific research question relevant to country challenges and committed to leading an analysis to publication. Statisticians with prerequisite statistical training and experience with a statistical software applied to participate in class-based trainings and complete an assigned analysis. Both statisticians and research leaders were provided ongoing in-country mentoring for analysis and manuscript writing. Results Participants reported a high level of skill, knowledge and collaborator development from class-based trainings and out-of-class mentorship that were sustained 1 year later. Five of six manuscripts were authored by multi-institution teams and submitted to international peer-reviewed scientific journals, and three-quarters of the participants mentored others in survey data analysis or conducted an additional survey analysis in the year following the training. Conclusions Our model was effective in utilizing existing survey data and strengthening skills among full-time working professionals without disrupting ongoing work commitments and using few resources. Critical to our success were a transparent, robust application process and time limited training supplemented by ongoing, in-country mentoring toward manuscript deliverables that were led by Rwanda’s health research leaders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana R Thomson
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda. .,Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | | | - Lisa R Hirschhorn
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.,Ariadne Labs, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Megan Murray
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Vedaste Ndahindwa
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Anatole Manzi
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.,Partners in Health-Rwanda, Rwinkwavu, Rwanda
| | - Assumpta Mukabutera
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Corine Karema
- Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Kigali, Rwanda.,Quality and Equity Healthcare, Kigali, Rwanda.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeanine Condo
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Bethany Hedt-Gauthier
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.,Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.,Partners in Health-Rwanda, Rwinkwavu, Rwanda
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Moyi Okwaro F, Geissler PW. In/dependent Collaborations: Perceptions and Experiences of African Scientists in Transnational HIV Research. Med Anthropol Q 2015; 29:492-511. [PMID: 25800667 PMCID: PMC4737198 DOI: 10.1111/maq.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This article examines collaboration in transnational medical research from the viewpoint of African scientists working in partnerships with northern counterparts. It draws on ethnographic fieldwork in an HIV laboratory of an East African state university, with additional data from interviews with scientists working in related research institutions. Collaboration is today the preferred framework for the mechanisms by which northern institutions support research in the south. The concept signals a shift away from the legacy of unequal (post‐) colonial power relations, although, amid persisting inequalities, the rhetorical emphasis on equality might actually hinder critical engagement with conflicts of interest and injustice. To collaborate, African scientists engage various strategies: They establish a qualified but flexible, non‐permanent workforce, diversify collaborators and research areas, source complementary funding to assemble infrastructures, and maintain prospective research populations to attract transnational clinical trials. Through this labor of collaboration, they sustain their institutions under prevailing conditions of scarcity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - P W Geissler
- Department of Social Anthropology, University in Oslo
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rana NP, Weerakkody V, Dwivedi YK, Piercy NC. Profiling Existing Research on Social Innovation in the Public Sector. INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/10580530.2014.923271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|