REACH

scientific capacity strengthening
Through
Research Management strategy Coaching


We offer

  • Training on REACH, our innovative scientific capacity strengthening management strategy
  • Coaching on REACH
    • One week on-site annual workshop, monthly on-line webinars, on-line collaboration platform.
  • Training on the scientific method

We target:

– Research for Development.
– Scientific Capacity Strengthening.
– Scientific Institutional Capacity Strengthening.

Introduction

Scientific research is generally agreed to be an important component in international development and has an important impact on the industrial, agricultural, technological fields and more, which has potential to increasing the national income and thus improve the human standard of life. Scientific research is also important in the fight against poverty, which is crucial for example in in sub-Sahara Africa countries, as the number of extremely poor people in this region increases with several million persons every year[1]. In order to empower research and researcher in lower income countries the development aid sector for scientific research offers aid research grants, training, scientific equipment, scientific equipment repair, coordination and administration support.  Ultimately, the purpose of development aid to scientific research is the ‘graduation’ from foreign assistance altogether. This is only possible where researchers have access to both financial resources and an enabling scientific environment, within their own economy and their own institutions, without depending on outsiders for continuous assistance. Thus, we must look at the long-term objective and the HR&S target is to empower the transition from development aid dependency to self-sustained institutions. There is no time to wait.

For scientific researchers to be successful they depend on: i) financial resources, ii) an enabling scientific infrastructure, and iii) that the research administration and coordination is taken care of. One outcome challenge that has been identified by HR&S from collaborating with local partners is that many scientific institutions in lower-income countries are not able to offer a sustainable economy and an enabling scientific infrastructure for its researchers.  As a consequence, only a fraction of the research performed today addresses the needs of the majority of the world’s population. Financial resources: Many countries invest 2-3 % of their GDP in Research and Development (R&D) activities and in addition the private sector often contributes, but in lower income countries the contribution from GDP to R&D expenditures is usually very low, maybe 0.1 % or less and the contribution from the private sector is almost absent.
An enabling scientific infrastructure: The scientific infrastructure is usually fragile at scientific institutions in lower income countries, which makes it difficult or impossible for ambitious researchers to successfully generate, publish and implement scientific findings.
Research administration and coordination: Many senior academics and Principal Investigators (PIs) on a grant, have to engage in research administrative and coordination matters to a level that there is actually very little or almost no TIME to perform the scientific research itself, no matter how ambitious and capable the researchers are.

[1] In 2019, 478 million people lived in extreme poverty, and in 2021, 490 million people in Africa lived under the poverty line of 1.90 PPP$/day.  https://unctad.org/press-material/facts-and-figures-7

Thus, the HR&S scientific capacity strengthening management strategy coaching is designed to address these critical shortcomings and to support scientific institutions and their researchers with sustainable procedures for the generation, dissemination, and implementation of scientific findings. The expected impact from the HR&S coaching programme is that researchers have access to both financial resources and an enabling scientific environment. The sustainable impact is often composed of:

  1. ensuring an enabling scientific infrastructure,
  2. ensuring a sustainable economy, and
  3. assigning non-scientists to manage research administration and coordination.

Narrative

HR&S operates at scientific institutions with fragile scientific capacity strengthening procedures. The coaching entails compiling and addressing the necessary conditions required to bring about a given impact and builds on the HR&S Real-time Outcome Planning and Evaluation tool (ROPE).

The purpose of the Research Management coaching is scientific capacity strengthening and to empower scientific institutions and  their scientific researchers with the generation, dissemination, and implementation of scientific findings.

The coaching sessions for departments and institutions are composed of certain steps.  It starts with that the participants’ ambitions are compiled together with the related outcome challenges. Activities to solve the challenges are then agreed on and implemented together. Progress or no progress is measures real-time by tracking measurable indicators, the progress markers. Successful activities are translated into solid strategies ensuring that previous outcome challenges have been dealt with and thus do not cause hindrances any-longer. Sustainable impact or not sustainable impact is assessed with scientific methods. The coaching is an iterative exercise that continues until evidence based sustainable impact has been reached.

Coaching of departments and institutions usually also include coaching of individual researchers, technicians and team-leaders.

The coaching sessions targeting individual researchers  supports the researcher to develop individual Road-maps that guide on how to manoeuvrer within a fragile system, and team-leaders develop road-maps for their team.

HR&S has 20 years of experience from working with research management in countries with fragile scientific infrastructure. The tool ROPE has been developed through lessons learned and informed decisions during working within the countries in close partnership with key stake-holders.

Purpose is to ensure sustainable operations and economy in scientific research, enabling equal partnership collaboration for sustainable development.

Partners

HR&S offers coaching to scientific institutions and other scientific research related stakeholders  in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Within scientific institutions we target the:

  • Top and middle management.
  • Management administration.
  • Scientific researchers.
  • Technicians.
  • Librarians.

Related stakeholders include:

  • Agreed suppliers of scientific equipment.
  • Ministry of research and education.
  • Private and policy sector seeking scientific knowledge and capacity.
  • Development institutions targeting scientific research.

Corner-stones

  • Motivation.
  • Truth & Trust.
  • State-of-the-art knowledge.
  • Sustainable economy.
  • Institutional capacity.
  • Transparency & accountability.
  • Cross-cultural understanding.
  • Equal partnership.

Modes of delivery

  1. On-line trainings.
  2. On-line workshops.
  3. On-site workshops.
  4. Individual coaching.
  5. Round-Table sessions.
  6. Field visits.

Justification

Although scientific researchers and innovators in Sub-Saharan Africa present amazing solutions to national and international challenges, their ideas are often unrecognised and unsupported.  Consequently, findings tend not to be implemented, and businesses not to be started. As a result, the society lack access to products, services and employment opportunities that would have strengthened the society. This also reduces the tax income to the government and thus creates a lack of advanced education, social security and resourceful institutions. Moreover, international negotiations and international trade tend to be unbalanced and some countries tend remain behind on the international competitive development arena. The number of extremely poor people are increasing every year.

Human Rights and Science (HR&S) claims that the efficiency of implementation of locally developed solutions is strengthened through international equal partnership collaboration. We argue for truth, trust, harmony, equity, resilience, mutual knowledge sharing, sustainable economy, institutional capacity and cross-cultural understanding. We have developed six unique tools and strategies (TAct, ROPE, TRUST, CROSS, RISE & TestE) while targeting scientific research, innovations and social enterprising. With ten years of experience, with operations in twelve Sub-Saharan African countries, and with evidence of outcome and impact, we can state that our model is successful.

Method

As mentioned the evaluation planning of the Research management programmes follow the Real-time Outcome Planning & Evaluation (ROPE) strategy. A new ROPE programme starts with setting a goal and to develop indicators to measure results. Then we develop an implementation plan, we secure finances, staff, and infrastructure, then we ensure knowledge sharing, the accounting procedures and the cross-cultural understanding. Then we make an activity plan and assign to people and institutions; who will do what, how and when. Now we implement, and after we measure the results and analyse. Thereafter we complement with what did not go well until we reach the goal we set up in the beginning. HR&S offers to coach through the procedures.

We only work in areas identified by our local partners, and besides programme design and implementation coaching, HR&S contributes with expert advice on the scope of the programme, international state-of-the art knowledge, facilitation of accounting and auditing, cross-cultural understanding, monitoring and evaluation as well as start-up loans. The ROPE practical strategy is useful for the implementation of development programme management, scientific research management, laboratory management. The ROPE strategy is likewise useful for scaling small activities to profitable social enterprises.

ROPE_REACH

Twenty 3-5 days in-person workshops, and 100 on-line events, have been held targeting the ROPE Research Management Strategy (REACH) .

We have targeted Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Findings from these events have been compiled below.

Background

Successful scientific research requires quality scientific infrastructure. Ambitious scientific researchers cannot excel if the scientific infrastructure does guarantee an enabling scientific environment for them.

In addition, in case the scientific institution does not offer a quality scientific infrastructure, the senior academics and Principle Investigators (PIs) on a grant, may have to engage in management and administrative matters to a level that there will be little or almost no TIME to do proper research. Such management and administrative matters may for example include advanced financial monitoring and reporting, research policies, ethical and regulatory clearances, human resources management and grants administration.  Moreover, the academic staff, mostly, have not been trained and are inexperienced on issues related to administration and management, such as institutional leadership, financial sustainability, establishment of standards, and development of individual capacities.

The HR&S Research Management Strategy Coaching is designed to address this critical shortcoming. As one corner-stone in the institutional capacity we address a sustainable economy for the institution targeted. Benefitting from our own innovative management strategy the Real-Time Outcome Planning & Evaluation (ROPE) we coach through key aspects and together develop a firm road-map for change, by implementing solutions to every challenge.

Developing Research Management Individual Capacities. The research management responsibility must be managed by professional research management personnel. Thus enabling  researchers, who have been selected competitively to implement their research, to be able to focus on performing of their research. HR&S thus offers to coach and train individuals working in research management functions to promote the notion of the research management ‘career’ pathway in institutions, supported by an appropriate infrastructure.

Institutional Capacity & Leadership. To create awareness, engagement, and continuity of support for strengthening research management functions in institutions, across generations of leadership and senior academic staff. This will build institutional memory in order to strengthen research management across successive generations of leadership.

Financial Sustainability. The exploitation of resources, prioritisation of investments and technological development are strategic and well managed ensuring sustainable research management, financial processes, career pathways and mechanisms to ensure that institutions become self-sufficient in managing their research enterprises through; cost recovery, cost allocation management, as well as transparency and accountability in finance and governance.

Standards of Operation & Testing the Strength of Evidence of Impact. Designing, implementing and maintaining good Institutional as well as Research Management Practice Operational Standard as a tool for research institutions ensure quality research systems, benchmarking, and enabling institutional assessment of progress.

Target Partners

The programme addressed five categories of Target partners (TPs):

  • TP1 Research
    TP1A. Researchers: PhD students, Post-doc researchers, Professors.
    TP 1B. Research Students: MSc students.
    TP 1C. Supervisors.
    TP 1D. Entrepreneurs from the university.
  • TP2 Education
     TP 2A. Lecturers.
  • TP3 Research services
    TP 3A. Laboratory Technicians.
    TP 3B. IT technicians.
    TP 3C. Librarians.
  • TP4 Research management
    TP 4A. Department management.
    TP 4B. University Top management; VC, DVC research, innovation and enterprising, DVC administration, DVC academic, Finance manager, Bursary.
    TP 4C. Top management Administration; Accountant, Procurement officer, Public relations and communication.
  • TP5 External Research services
    TP 5A. Agreed Suppliers.

Ambitions

Professional Ambitions among the researchers have been found to be:

  1. Individual career goals.
  2. Perform high quality research.
  3. Disseminate scientific findings.
  4. Implement scientific findings.
  5. Enable talents of Africa.

1. Individual career goals

  • Do scientific career. Be promoted.
  • Become a professor.
  • Become an authority in a subject.
  • Establish a research group and become a team leader.
  • Become journal editor.

2. Perform high quality research, in order to:

Generate knowledge.

  • Become experts, for example in water treatment.
  • Develop products and services.
  • Generate innovations.

Address the needs of the people

  • Solving problems of the population. Save Africa from suffering from a lot of problems, save Africans.
  • Develop new products and services for the community, for example: minimal amount of minerals required in rice, varieties of cotton, develop phyto-medicine, implement cooperative processes.
  • Characterise the local situation for example: identify appropriate local material (clay etc.), sharing of land.
  • Sensitise the local community on development, for example: analyse the mind-set of the community, promote use of developed products.
  • To know what research that needs to be done to save Africa.
  • To develop our communities by using research results, gather all local research to benefit basic development in the communities.
  • Introduce anthropology in health-care, promote health-care by medicinal plants.

Address the needs of the country

  • To know the needs of the country and address it through research, for example;
    address the lowering level of groundwater, to know the quality of water and able to make advanced measurements of water quality and with the most advanced pieces of equipment, identify and address pollution from industries, to use results from research to improve agricultural and process engineering.

Address the needs of the government

  • Support politicians to develop national policies to promote community development, lobbying politicians
  • Support policymakers.
  • Involve universities and research teams in the elaboration and realisation of development policies.

Address the needs of the private sector.

  • At the university level.
  • At the institutional level.

3. Disseminate scientific findings

To other researchers

  • Publish scientific papers.
  • Present results at conferences.

To the public

  • Produce books and distribute to the public.
  • Offer workshops to the public.
  • Translate findings into local language.
  • Increase community awareness about development.

To the government

  • Share scientific findings with the policy makers.
  • For example: regulated sharing of land, enabled free movement of people in Africa.
  • Through University website.

To the private sector

  • Through University website.

4. Implement scientific findings and services while making profit

Offer chemical, physical and biological analytical services

  • Chemical, physical and biological analyses.
  • Accredited chemical analyses.
  • Training on analytical equipment.

Take on consultancy assignments

  • Address the needs of the rural and urban civil society, for example: food security, economic resilience for cotton, manage livestock, access to safe drinking water, improved water treatment, fuel production and appropriate habitat based on local raw material.
  • Address the needs of the government.
  • Address the needs the private sector.

Develop for-profit businesses

  • Sell products and services developed through research.
  • Develop patents of novel ideas for example on pesticide formulation.

5. Enable talents of Africa

All youths, also those lacking tuition fees.

  • Enable the talents of the youths of the country. Develop the university to be able to capture the genius of all the youths, because only a few get this opportunity, many more would contribute if provided the opportunities.

Female students and researchers.

  • Offer opportunities targeting women to do scientific research.

African researchers in other continents

  • Promote African researchers at other continents.

TP2. Technicians

  • Fulfilling laboratory responsibilities.
  • Teach about theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry.
  • Analytical chemistry.

Outcome Challenges

The outcome challenges have been developed in relation to testimonies shared during the workshops.

TP1 – Researchers

Outcome challenges for the researchers (TP1) have been presented as:

  1. Lack of motivation to do research.
  2. Lack of funds.
  3. Lack of time management.
  4. Lack of collaboration & networking.
  5. Lack of awareness about, skills and opportunities to do literature reviews.
    • Limited or no access to; computers, internet, electricity, published papers (literature database keywords), reference compilation software.
    • Limited or no understanding of; the scientific method (the need to do literature review of recent papers, setting up a hypothesis), search profiles.
  6. Lack of theoretical research capacity.
  7. Lack of practical research capacity.
  8. Lack of capacity to address the needs of the rural and urban civil society.
  9. Lack of capacity to disseminate scientific findings.
  10. Lack of capacity to implement scientific findings. 
  11. Lack of capacity to develop a business around implementation of sientific findings.
  12. Lack of capacity todevelop and share plolicy briefs.

Individual career goals

Lack of motivation to do research

Lack of motivation due to lack of dissemination and implementation of sientific findings.
“To be motivated then I have to add something to the scientific community.”
“Motivation depends on the real goal. I need to have clear and reachable goals.”

Lack of motivation due to weak leadership.
“Some needs to be motivated by others.”
“Good leadership can provide motivation, but we lack motivating leaders.”
“The leader have to give the motivations by their presence in meetings.”
“Police, soldiers, and leadership are related to provide motivation.”

Lack of motivation due to limited financial support.
Sometimes during the workshops, the word “motivation” atually refers to money.
“Too low salary.”
“The private institutions offers higher salary.”
“If we don’t get something when we do something, then we we will start to do nothing. The focus may be on achieving money rather than on quality values. Some people tend to love money too much.”
“We should actually think that we make an investment in ourselves even if we do not get well paid, but we do not thnk like that”.

Lack of interest in and passion for research itself.
“We cannot oblige someone to be motivated.”
“If there is motivation or here is lack of motivation, will be seen as soon as difficulties appear.”
“If members do not have motivation they can be chased away from the team. We don’t force anybody to be a member of a research team.”

Time management

“I lack enough workhours to spend on research.”
“I have to spend a lot of time on administrative issues.”

 

Perform high quality research

Collaboration & networking

“It is difficult to develop multidisciplinary teams.”
“There are no opportunity to attend conferences.”

Performing theoretical research

“I lack skills in data management.”

Performing practical research

“We do not have access to functioning equipment, such as AAS, HPLC, GCMS, ICPMS, FTIR, UV, LCMS, capillary electrophoresis and NMR.”
“I lack knowledge about which equipment I need to perform my research.”
“I do not have enough workhours to spend in the laboratory.”
“I am not allowed to choose the supplier that i find is best.”

Addressing the needs of the rural civil society

“I lack information about local needs.”
“I do not know how to get commitment at the community level.”
“I lack social know-how; how to introduce new methods to the community, how to change the communities’ mind-set.”
“I lack communication skill and experience from development at the community level”.
“I lack knowledge about local technical conditions, technical know-how and the type of equipment at the community level.”
“We suffer from weak internet connection at the community level.”

 

Disseminate scientific findings

“I lack skills in how to publish my findings.

 

Implementing scientific findings

Share scientific findings with the government
“The communication between the academic sector and policy makers is weak.”
“I lack opportunities to practice linking scientific results to policy making.”
“I lack knowledge about policy-briefs.”

Developing Businesses

“I do not know how to implement innovations.”
“I do not know about patenting.”
“I do not know about how to start a business.”

 

Enable talents of Africa

“Talents may not have access to tuition fees.”
“Talents may not have access to powerful internet.”
“Social economic challenges hindering women from doing scientific career.”


TP2 Technician

” We lack enough staff.”
” We lack adequate salary.”
” We lack laboratory space.”
” We lack servicing tools and manuals.”
” We lack funds to do service and maintenance real-time.”
” We lack communication with reliable suppliers.”

TP4. Institution managements

  • Africa still lags in investments in transformative science and innovation.
  • Low institution ranking.
  • Lack of approved research grants submitted by researchers.
  • Non-functioning scientific equipment.
  • Lack of approved manuscripts submitted by the researchers.
  • Lack of implemented scientific findings.
  • Lack of impactful partnership with policy-makers.
  • Lack of impactful partnership with private sector.

 

Activities

The Activites have been developed as a rsult of testimonies shared during the workshops.

TP1. Researchers

Individual career goals

Plan

“I will ensure individual time management.”
“I will ensure enough time to do research through own well-disciplined time management.”
“I shall ensure time to attend the meetings.”
“I will ensure an individual long-term planning with measurable mile-stones.”

Apply for reserch grants

“I will seek knowledge to know how to apply for research grants and how to invest them well, so that my career is promoted and not destroyed.”
” I will send grant application to donors supporting research and scientific meetings.”
” I will identify appropriate grant giving institutions.”
” I will seek funding from the government.”
“I will send grant application to the government.”
” We shall arrange a Grant Club where we support each other with seeking research funding; set times, venue and appoint a coordinator.”

Publish

” I will seek knowledge to know how to publish.”
” We shall arrange a Publishing Club where we support each other to publish; set times, venue and appoint coordinator.”

Manage the English language. Manage an English Club; weekly, set time, venue. With English teacher. Coordinator appointed. Homework: learn three new words per day.

Change attitude related to lack of motivation due to limited financial support

“We shall change attitude from focusing on money to focusing on research output.”
“We should be motivated from that we make the investment in ourselves.”
“Team work can also motivate.”

 

Perform high quality research

Motivation

“We shall believe in ourselves.”
“The prolonged provision of aid became a problem since it discouraged creativity, innovation and creative thinking as the researchers focus on the money rather than the impact of the research.”

Deliver

“We shall develop novel ideas.”
“We shall develop products and services.”
“We shall develop patents.”
“We shall do more research even with the available inadequate pieces of equipment.”

Collaboration & networking

“I shall seek opportunities to do things together.”
“I shall capture opportunities for collaboration.”
“We shall share knowledge and experiences with each other.”
“We shall create knowledge sharing platforms.”
“I shall ensure time to attend meetings.”
“I shall have a positive attitude to all contributions by others.”
“I shall  help other people to become more motivation.”
“I shall address team building.”
“I shall build research teams.”
“I shall network among research teams.”
“We shall increase the direct research collaboration through identifying authors as new potential collaborators.
“In order to have reliable and functional research teams it is necessary that objectives of the projects that the team shall work on  are well defined.”
“We shall arrange with collaborative platform between researchers, students and technicians.”
“We shall partner with departments of the same discipline worldwide.”
“We shall build a network of all African scientists.”
“We shall establish pan African networks with regular meetings in domains without. “
“We shall build networks of all African scientists in order to do basic and applied research together.”

State-of-the-art knowledge

“We shall seek knowledge and ensure to be up-dated about the state-of-the art.”

Practical research

“We shall ensure that we have access to a quality laboratory with functioning advanced equipment and well educated technicians.”
“We shall identify quality pieces of equipment that are suitable for African conditions.”
“We shall create a good atmosphere and a collaborative platform between researchers, students and technicians.”
“We shall develop a proper business situation around laboratories.”
“We shall convince the authorities through policy-briefs and Round table sessions to equip the laboratories at academic institutions.”

Address the needs of the civil society

“I shall analyse the mind-set of the community.”
“I shall benefit from and collaborate around local knowledge when developing products and services.”
“We shall develop products and services appropriate to and useful for the local civil society, for example to use local material as pigment and traditional medicine to overcome health problems in Africa.”
“I shall sensitise the local community on development.”
“I shall promote the usage of developed products.”

Collaborate with policymakers

“I shall support policy development.”
“I shall support politicians to develop national policies in order to promote community development.”
“We shall lobby among the politicians.”

Collaborate with the private sector

“We shall address the needs of the private sector.”

Disseminate scientific findings

Scientific meetings

“We shall increase the amount of disseminated results through workshops and conferences.”

Publish

“We shall publish more.”

Share with the government

“We shall inform about scientific findings through policy briefs.”
“We shall inform about products and services through Round Table discussions.”
“We shall prove ourselves useful to the government in order to motivate them to invest more in scientific research.”

 

Implement scientific findings

“We shall work in research areas with practical applications.”
“We shall reach out more to the society.”
“We shall have more knowledge of the areas of research required by the society”
“We shall have knowledge about the problemof the society before starting the research work.”
“We shall focus on impactful research for the society.”
“We shall discuss with industries to identify  gaps and then research on on topics relevant for the industry.”
“We shall work in collaboration with research beneficiariesin order to come up with impactful research topis”.
“We shall communicate and compare with others in order to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration that will promote implementation.”
“We shall implement results directly after publication.”
“We shall establish local research institutions, besides the universities and the governmental institutions, to promote implementation.”
“We shall adopt competency based training.”

 

Sustainable economy

“We shall analyse how money raised can generate further income.”
“We shall avoid to be depending fully on aid.”

Develop businesses

“We shall improve our service delivery.”
“We shall take responsability for generating the necessary start-up capital while doing boot-strapping.”

 

Enable talents

“We shall ensure tuition fees for all ambitious students.”
“We shall ensure gender equity regarding scientific careers.”
” We shall empower women by ensuring women researcher role-models.”
“We shall promote African researchers at other continents.”

TP2 Technician

Quality laboratory with functioning advanced equipment.

“We shall select the most relevant and appropriate equipment, accessories and consumables.”
“We shall identify the technicians and technologists that needs to be in charge of the new pieces of equipment.”
“We shall identify research topics and researchers that can be supported with new pieces of equipment available.”
“We shall develop the required physical infrastructure.”
“We shall evelop the operational and financial plans for the laboratory.”
“We shall ensure that we have procedures in place where we can i ) perform an honest tender to identify reliable suppliers and secure high quality after-sales services, ii) negotiate prices,  ii) placing orders and pay, iii) ensure professional transporttion and installation, iv) trainings on operation, analytical methods and maintenance, and v) ensure professional after-sales contact with the suppliers.”

Knowledge

“We shall promote educated for technicians.”
“We shall  train other technicians. “
“We shall ensure that technicians have the capacity to operate all pieces of equipment.”
“We shall ensure sharing of knowledge and capacities among all relevant stakeholders.”

 

Collaboration and networking

“We shall ensure a good atmosphere and a collaborative platform between researchers, students and technicians.”
“We shall ensure arrange an association of chemists in the country.”
“We shall ensure arrange strong collaborating with other laboratories.”

TP 4. The institution management

  1. Investments in transformative science and innovation.
    Serve Africa’s science and innovation ecosystem through the design, funding and oversight of world-class science and innovation programmes. Recognise the power of collective effort and be intentional and proactive in the development, maintenance and growth of equitable strategic partnerships and networks.  Co-create solutions via dialogue and prioritise long-term ownership and sustainability.
  2. Enabling scientific institutional infrastructure
    Serve the African research ecosystem by designing, funding and managing programmes that support excellent science and innovation; and that build and reinforce environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and produce quality research that impacts development.
    • Leveraging thought leadership.
    • Productive partnerships.
    • Build and maintain networks to mobilize resources for investments in long-term science and innovation programmes on the continent.
  3. Enabling literature reviews
    Offer a computer rooms:
  • With access to
    • Good enough computers.
    • Internet
    • Electricity
    • Literature database passwords.
    • Reference compilation software
  • Coaching and training by librarians on
    • Literature databases and key-words
    • How to set up a search profile
    • Reference compilation software
  • Coaching and training by senior researchers on;
    • the scientific method,
    • the importance of literature review with recent papers,
    • developing and testing a hypothesis.

Digital learning

INASP (International Network for Advancing Science and Policy) has been designing and running online learning programmes with and for lower income country academics and researchers, and have had 20,000 participants.INASP aims to make the most of digital learning to meet the needs of learners, to leverage what digital learning offers, despite technology and connectivity gaps, to ensure it is used to redress inequity, rather than reinforce it, and to do this in ways that are designed by and for those in education in lower income countries. (INASP, https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2023061314431315) Three common critiques levelled at online learning are i)  technology is a significant barrier and this limits its value, ii) it doesn’t enable learners to interact, which in turn diminishes their learning outcomes; and iii) that it is less equitable – both in who can participate and who can succeed online.
Technology barriers. Two major factors limit the accessibility of online learning in lower income countries: an individual’s digital skills, so that they can navigate and study successfully online, and the digital infrastructure that’s available to them, so that they can get online easily and reliably. Both factors are known to limit participation in online courses and to impact negatively on learning outcomes. But while they’re important, time management issues and the pressures of other work have emerged as a bigger challenge, cited by 70% of our learners, compared to the 30% that mention internet problems and the 15% who mention unreliable power supplies.
Equity. Equity, and taking one dimension that is key to equitable learning: gender. Women are often said to encounter additional barriers to online learning, with structural ‘offline’ barriers, such as caring responsibilities, their ability to access broadband or data connections, limiting their access, and digital spaces – just like physical ones – often being hostile or unsafe. While these barriers certainly exist, proportionally more women have completed the INASP courses than men. The differences aren’t huge (between 49% and 72% of women complete, compared to 47%-68% of men). However, when we looked at the 3,000 people who participated in one of INASP’s MOOCs (massive open online courses), we also saw that women’s confidence levels increased slightly more than those for men. These numbers don’t suggest that more women are accessing and succeeding through digital learning – there are still many barriers to address – but what they do suggest is that a more positive picture is emerging. INASP has found indications that that digital learning can be easier to access because access isn’t controlled by institutional gatekeepers, and that it is easier to fit around family and caring responsibilities. Could digital learning in fact help to overcome some of the deeper, structural barriers to education and professional development, by offering new possibilities?
Social interaction A third critique is that online learning is not good at enabling the kind of social interaction that can be important for gaining new knowledge and developing new skills and confidence. But it is possible to encourage real connection and interaction in online learning, and for some learners it can even suit them better, because they can engage with their peers in ways that suit them. And taking steps to actively encourage interaction can help to significantly improve outcomes – motivating and keeping people engaged, and encouraging them to learn from, not just alongside, their peers.

Learning design
The key to success is found in learning design – that is, by starting with the needs of the learners and using those to guide you. 1. Creating pathways through a course – thinking of participants with the least reliable internet access, at the lowest speeds, the lowest level of digital literacy and the least experience of online learning. 2. Putting together a design team with an explicit concern to mitigate bias – say a team which has a good gender balance. Also ensure learning spaces – the virtual classrooms and spaces – are inclusive and safe places by having at least one member who can review the design from a gender perspective as well as encouraging everyone involved in design and facilitation to engage on this matter. 3. Enable connections to and learn from peers from across the world. 4. Ensure a facilitator as completion rates from facilitated courses are twice as high as self-study courses because someone not only responds to questions but can pose their own and encourage discussion. 5. Peer assessment and group work are both great ways to engage participants, and can help to provide valuable feedback at a larger scale, and can be a learning gain in its own right. Being able to give useful and constructive feedback is an important skill in the academic world, and beyond. 6. The growth in the use of video conferencing tools and chat apps, whether text or audio based, allow you to host live drop-in clinics, where participants can ask questions, discuss particular issues or get help dealing with specific problems.

Milestones

The Milesones have been developed as a result of discussions during the workshops.

Access to internet

Education and research activities came to a standstill during the lockdown caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. The pandemic has pushed most educational activities and communication to rely on the internet.  The internet provides the crucial link for communication amongst people. The need for social distancing in this pandemic era has enhanced online based activities. Reliable internet connectivity is essential for successful benefit from online based activities/communication. Internet connectivity has always been a challenge for group members. While the university provides internet, connectivity is intermittent and when working the internet is slow. It goes without saying that reliable internet is essential in this new normal where most activities are now internet based.  The research group members will benefit from good internet with constant connectivity, this will enable the members to carry out literature reviews effectively and carry out zoom meetings to discuss various issues pertaining to research in the group. Reliable internet will also enable the group to effectively participate in virtual conferences.

Internet connection options shall be made available both at the usniversity / department level and at home.

University

The connectivity shall cover the whole campus.
Expected Cost:
Modem: Euro 100.
Connectivity per year (100 GB): Euro 1000.

Home

Researchers also need to be able to connect to internet from home.
Expected cost
Euro 40 per person and month (50GB).
Assume 10 members fo a research team: Euro 5000 per year.

Access to laboratory

The activities were also affected by the Covid 19 pandemic with laboratory work halted.

Input

HR&S REACH support packages

The HR&S REACH support package was developed in two versions; one to suit researchers and research teams and another one to support scientific institution managements.

Same with FAST, SCALE, SERV, 22 RISE, and RISEagency.

  1. Monthly ROPE coaching zoom meetings.
  2. ROPEtrello board
  3. WhatsApp chat groups
  4. HubSpot CRM for 22RISE management.
  5. Monthly local grant and manuscript review meetings.
  6. AuthorAid website
    1. Information
    2. Training
    3. Mentors & collaborators
  7. Reach4Life website
  8. TWAS
    1. Fellowship programme https://twas.org/opportunities/fellowships
    2. https://twas.org/opportunities/research-and-project-grants
    3. https://twas.org/opportunity/owsd-early-career-fellowship
  9. ChatGPT

Input
Knowledge sharing & opportuinites

INASP https://www.inasp.info/ We believe that locally generated knowledge and solutions are key to solving local and global challenges

Author Aid https://www.authoraid.info/en/

Research4Life https://www.research4life.org/

CAS.org https://www.cas.org/solutions/cas-scifinder-discovery-platform
cas-scifinder: https://www.cas.org/solutions/cas-scifinder-discovery-platform/cas-scifinder   – Identifying a chemical substance

AAS  https://www.aasciences.africa/gallery/webinars

TCC Africa https://www.tcc-africa.org/
The Training Centre in Communication(TCC Africa), is the first African-based training centre to teach effective communication skills to scientists. TCC Africa is an award winning  Trust, established as a non-profit entity in 2006 and is registered in Kenya.  TCC Africa provides  capacity support in improving researchers  output and visibility through training in  scholarly and science communication.

COMSTECH https://www.comstech.org
https://www.comstech.org/comstech-distinguished-scholar-webinar/

TWAS https://twas.org
The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, working to advance science and engineering for sustainable prosperity in the developing world.
‎‎https://twas.org › opportunities
With the world’s largest South-South PhD and postdoctoral research fellowship programme, TWAS helps early-career researchers to gain education and experience.
Fellowships https://twas.org › opportunities › fellowships
With the world’s largest South-South PhD and postdoctoral research fellowship programme, TWAS helps early-career researchers to gain education.
Research and Project Grants  https://twas.org › opportunities › research-and-project-grants
Research grants fund several programmes that support: Researchers in developing countries, allowing them to purchase specialized equipment and more.

ELSEVIER https://researcheracademy.elsevier.com/

SPRINGER https://beta.springernature.com/pre-submission?journalId=11187

Language editing https://webshop.elsevier.com/language-editing/

Time management & planning (forwarded by Joanna)
https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2010/09/20/sunday-meeting
https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique
https://www.sfwa.org/2011/12/14/guest-post-how-i-went-from-writing-2000-words-a-day-to-10000-words-a-day/

The scientific method
Differences of Useful terms used in Research Methodology, https://youtu.be/fcnKStMNvuQ
Difference between Research Methods and Research Methodology, https://youtu.be/RSUfNkJFWeU
Differences between Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Framework , https://youtu.be/qXeWfhc-X0I
Differences between Reliability and Validity, https://youtu.be/qXeWfhc-X0I

Problem Statement
https://youtu.be/98vOS9yihRA
How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement https://youtu.be/3y4tsQwHOUY
How to identify a research gap, https://youtu.be/gyimuqAdYyo
How to select Research Topic, https://youtu.be/1QuZ0Dp9i3g

Data collection and analyses
Data Collection Websites , https://youtu.be/fN7RXVg4Q9Q
Interpretation of Regression Analysis, https://youtu.be/E-Gd8WNa1N8
Regression Analysis with Scientific Calculator, https://youtu.be/NHYLthpxQnw
How to install Add-ins, https://youtu.be/yku_A6f4I78
Basics of MS Excel, https://youtu.be/pbHbnHD_EyM

Literature review
Basics of Literature Review | 5 Simple Steps, https://youtu.be/9w5cqeUVpZ0
Literature Databases, https://youtu.be/2WV0K8AaDqo

Science writing  (forwarded by Joanna)
https://youtu.be/vtIzMaLkCaM
Article Writing Pros and Cons, https://youtu.be/HUYybGlHGEU
1-Shitty First Drafts.pdf
6-MIN Journal_Focus.pdf
Belcher_Chapter 1.pdf
https://beta.springernature.com/pre-submission?journalId=11187

Review Article
How to Write a Review Article | Step by Step Guide https://youtu.be/b72N-Qu7A90
Differences between Review Paper vs Research Paper, https://youtu.be/t5TTqfixL2A

Plagiarism
Five Simple Rules to Avoid Plagiarism https://youtu.be/iBm_kj8jNZM

Social media
How to add or update articles in Google Scholar, https://youtu.be/fTlsRufXbDw
How to cite and download articles from google scholar, https://youtu.be/fwnjg7jkvwI

Other (share by John Wasswa)
Research Methods For Business: A Skill Building Approach By UMA SEKARAN, https://youtu.be/lW-tYvM7Kbk
Best Books of Research for beginners , https://youtu.be/OeACYQwcgvU
Best Academic Paper Writing Books, https://youtu.be/c3aB7rI2mv8
How to Convert Word to PDF | Without Software or Internet, https://youtu.be/_ITupCafSyk
How to Convert PDF to word | Without Software or Internet, https://youtu.be/5BzZGghbFJw
Guidelines for Writing a Thesis or Dissertation, https://youtu.be/JIumBcr21yU
How to write the introduction, https://youtu.be/S-koanSBMOY
MCQs on Research Methodology
Important for all Competitive Examinations, https://youtu.be/xKh3SLWweWs
Research Proposal Presentation Speech, https://youtu.be/RO_V_UQ9NPE
History of Gold Prices in Pakistan, https://y2u.be/F3-jAfeO5Hc

Input
Sources of funding, Research grants

  • https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com
  • https://scienceforafrica.foundation/funding

    Funding: We support, strengthen and promote science and innovation in Africa. Bill & Melinda gates.

  • https://www.opcw.org/resources/capacity-building/international-cooperation-programmes/research-project-support-programme
  • https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/
    for Students from Developing Countries to Study in UK
  • #work4un UN Young-professionals-programme
    https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/work4un-young-professionals-programme
  • UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
    Internships for African Students
    https://www.uneca.org/about/internship-programmes
  • https://www.state.gov/african-and-diaspora-young-leaders-forum/
    U.S Dept of State hosting the “African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum”.
  • McCain Global Leaders Program 2023 for Emerging Leaders.
    https://www.mccaininstitute.org/programs/leadership-programs/
  • https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/scholarship
    Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships in Canada for Researchers
  • https://www.wur.nl/en/article/african-food-fellowship-connects-new-generation-of-leaders-for-food-system-change.htm
    Wageningen University & Research (WUR) African Food Fellowship
  • https://mepi.state.gov/about-mepi/
    US-MEPI Student Leaders Program for Students from Middle East and North Africa
  • https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-scholarships
    Australia Awards Fellowships for Developing countries
  • https://www.irex.org/
    IREX Community Engagement Exchange Program 2023 for Young Leaders
  • https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/mastercard-foundation-african-scholars-tackle-climate-change-at-cambridge
    Mastercard Cambridge University African Scholars Programme 2023 for Graduate African Students
  • https://aasciences.africa/Programmes/ARISE
  •  https://twas.org/opportunities/fellowships/postdoc
  •  https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-research-professors-ldcs
  • https://eth4d.ethz.ch/funding-opportunities/ETH4D-exchange-grants/ETH4D-doctoral-mentorship-programme.html
  • https://iubmb.org/activities/fellowship-programs/iubmb-wood-whelan-research-fellowships/
  • https://www.comstech.org/comstech-research-fellowships-for-least-developed-countries-2/ Research fellowships to young researcher in OIC countries to enable them to spend 6-12 months at a relevant center of excellence,  f. ex. Burkina, Uganda, Togo
  • https://www.comstech.org/comstech-research-fellowships-for-women-scientists-ldc-oic/ For women f. ex. Burkina, Uganda, Togo
  • https://vref.se/lee-schipper-scholarship/ Scholarship supporting Africa researchers, which provides funding support and mentoring advise, in the field of sustainable transport and energy efficiency supporting young researcher’s initiatives.
  • Early Career Central https://ecrcentral.org/
  • Visibility STEM Africa – Opportunities https://www.visibilitystemafrica.com
  • Doing a PhD in Africa – Events and Opportunities https://doingaphdinafrica.org/events-opportunities
  • Mawazo Institute – list of  funding, training, conferences, and other opportunities https://mawazoinstitute.org/opportunities-database
  • Opportunity Desk https://opportunitydesk.org/
  • *Research Professional News https://researchprofessionalnews.com/
  • The Royal Society Grants, Schemes and Awards https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/
  • Sida directory of research calls and grants https://www.sida.se/en/for-partners/research-partners/research-calls-and-grants
  • African Peacebuilding Network – research grants https://www.ssrc.org/programs/african-peacebuilding-network/
  • SCI Travel Bursaries https://www.soci.org/Awards/Travel-Bursaries
  • Scholars Hub Africa https://www.scholarshubafrica.com/
  • Seeding Labs Grants & Opportunities (monthly roundup) https://www.scholarshubafrica.com/
  • Swiss-African Research Cooperation – Funding Database https://www.sareco.org/funds/
  • Euraxess UK Funding Search https://euraxessfunds.britishcouncil.org/Search.aspx/Index
  • Euraxess Researchers in Motion (EU) https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/
  • FundsforNGOs – Latest Funds https://www2.fundsforngos.org/category/latest-funds-for-ngos/
  • The Institute of International Education Scholar Rescue Fund https://www.scholarrescuefund.org/
  • Terra Viva Grants Directory https://www.terravivagrants.org/
  • Science (AAAS) – Where to Search for Funding. https://www.science.org/search/advanced
  • https://www.postgraduatesearch.com/funding
  • https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/
  • https://www.soas.ac.uk/study/fees-funding-and-finance/scholarships
  • https://www.scholars4dev.com/category/target-group/africans-scholarships/
  • https://www.european-funding-guide.eu/
  • British Academy Flexi-Grant platform https://britishacademy.flexigrant.com/
  • USDA NIFA grants https://www.nifa.usda.gov/page/search-grant
  • https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowships
  • Open Society Foundations – Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants
  • TWAS Fellowships https://twas.org/opportunities/fellowships
  • TWAS Grants for Scientific Meetings held in Developing Countries https://twas.org/opportunities/science-diplomacy-and-other-training
  • Royal Society of Chemistry Travel Grants https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/funding/find-funding/researcher-development-travel-grant/
  • British Council Current Opportunities & Grants https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/he-science/opportunities/academics-researchers
  • Newton’s List – Latest Funding Opportunities https://www.crdfglobal.org/funding-opportunities/
  • The Canadian international development research center https://www.idrc.ca/en/funding
  • International Foundation for Science (IFS) https://www.ifs.se/
  • Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) https://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/peer/index.htm
  • TDR at the World Health Organization (WHO) https://tdr.who.int/grants
  • West African Research Association http://www.westafricanresearchassociation.org/
  • UCDAVIS Horticulture Innovation Lab https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/funding-opportunities
  • NIHR – Global Health Funding Programmes https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/funding-programmes/global-health.htm

Lean business approach

1. Compile a list of potential financial partners
2. Do a stakeholder analysis
3. Market survey
4. Persona review
5. Reach out / sales
6. Lessons learned & informed decisions.

Progress Markers

The Progress markers reflect directly the Outcome challenges. The progress markers address outcomes rather than outputs. Outputs are activities we have control over and are compiled in an activity plan, outcomes are the desired results of outputs and something we do not have control over. The progress markers must be formulated in a way that they are measurable. They are separated into single units which can be easily measured.

 

Develop the Progress markers.

Scoring

Score the Progress markers. The operation builds on a sequence of monitoring and evaluation events, for with dates, participants and results are recorded. a. The monitoring starts at the same time as the design of the program. The first task is to identify the baseline of the program; the presentation of the situation prior to the start of the program. Progress marker scorings together with the related comments are compiled in a monitoring data sheet. b. Scoring method 5 Excellent 90 – 100% 4 Good 70 – 90% 3 Adequate 30 – 70 % 2 Poor 0 – 30 % 1 Insufficient 0 – 10 % c. Scoring based on percentage supersedes scoring based on words. Thus, when a progress marker can be assessed with a percentage, then this is what the scoring shall be based on.

Lessons learned & Informed decisions

The Lessons learned & Informed decisions is an iterative procedure.

How and what do we learn from our mistakes or things happening outside of our control. Iterative measures.

We adjust the ROPE parameters as a result of lessons learned.

Compile lessons learned and revise the training program accordingly. Lessons learnt from the monitoring and evaluation exercises are fed into the training program revisions.

Sustainable impact

One way to ensure sustainable impact is to design, implement and maintain Standard Operational Procedures (SOP). We target Institutional capacity SOPs as well as sustainable economy SOPs.

We target a set of ten SOPs. Scientific capacity strengthening Partnerships required for the Ten SOPs:

  1. Management strategy
    HR&S coaching on ROPE-REACH.
  2. Internet
    Spider
  3. Time management
    HR&S coaching.
  4. Literature review
    Research4Life
  5. The scientific model
    HR&S training
  6. Networking
    INASP with AuthorAID Mentor programme
  7. Research grants applications
    INASP with AuthorAID training and resources on webage.
  8. Scientific equipment
    HR&S with FAST. Training sessions by suppliers.
  9. Scientific communication
    INASP with AuthorAID training and resources on webage.
  10. Implementing scientific findings
    HR&S with SCALE, Action10 with soft loans.

SOP
Institutional capacity & Sustainable economy

1. ROPE management strategy

Benefit from a collaboration software of your choice to have the easy overview of parallel activities.

Benefit from a ROPEtrello board to have an overview of the ROPE parameters.

Progress markers

TestE

2. Access to internet

Internet connection options shall preferably be made available both at the university / department level and at home.

Institution

  1. Develop efficient ICT governance strategies, policies standards and procedures at the institution.
  2. Set up and upgrade the ICT infrastructure, facilities and services.
  3. Enhance IT corporate systems that can provide conducive teaching, learning and research environment.
  4. Build staff capacity both academic, administrative and technical through short- and long-term trainings.
The connectivity shall cover the whole campus.
Expected Cost:
Modem: Euro 100.
Connectivity per year (100 GB): Euro 1000.

Home Researchers also need to be able to connect to internet from home.
Expected cost
Euro 40 per person and month (50GB).
Assume 10 members of a research team: Euro 5000 per year.

Education and research activities came to a standstill during the lockdown caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. The pandemic has pushed most educational activities and communication to rely on the internet.  The internet provides the crucial link for communication amongst people. The need for social distancing in this pandemic era has enhanced online based activities. Reliable internet connectivity is essential for successful benefit from online based activities/communication. Internet connectivity has always been a challenge for group members. While the university provides internet, connectivity is intermittent and when working the internet is slow. It goes without saying that reliable internet is essential in this new normal where most activities are now internet based.  The research group members will benefit from good internet with constant connectivity, this will enable the members to carry out literature reviews effectively and carry out zoom meetings to discuss various issues pertaining to research in the group. Reliable internet will also enable the group to effectively participate in virtual conferences.

 

SPIDER

Spider is an independent ICT4D center and since 2004 SPIDER has made the digitalisation of international development our main concern.  They are an independent public center with innovative programmes in Africa, Asia and Latin America and coordinate multilateral funding/investments and offer tailored professional development and capacity building through their global networks to any organisation and company that aims to bring about the Sustainable Development Goals through the use of information & communication technologies (ICT).

University or Rwand (UR)  SPIDER and Stockholm University Department of Computer and Systems Science (DSV) are supporting the sub-programme “University of Rwanda ICT Infrastructure and Business Solutions”. The overall objective of this sub-programme is to develop, deploy and maintain highly sustainable ICT solutions, quality services and innovations in order to ensure improved access on services and latest technologies that enable conducive teaching, learning and research. UR with support from SPIDER and DSV will: i) Develop efficient ICT governance strategies, policies standards and procedures at UR. ii) Set up and upgrade the ICT infrastructure, facilities and services at UR. iii) Enhance UR IT corporate systems that can provide conducive teaching, learning and research environment. iv) Build staff capacity both academic, administrative and technical through short- and long-term trainings.

Makerere University, Uganda, 2018 to 2022. Priority areas:

  • Teaching, Learning and Supporting Environment: Capacity Building Activities and Technical Support to DICTS
    • Network infrastructure, systems integration, service implementations, online pedagogy and platforms to increase digital literacy among staff and students, information security and Graduate Training for 30 Students at Master Level
    • Communication networks, cybersecurity, supercomputing, data engineering, data science, ICT project management and governance, big data analytics, data mining, artificial intelligence).
  • Research and Innovations: Enhancement of campus-wide wireless infrastructure, Implementation of the Electronic Documents and Records Management System (EDRMS) to digitize all University Data; Research Data Services and Systems (MAK Internal cloud service/Computational Unit) for researchers; and Inclusiveness and Gender Mainstreaming.
  • Enhance ICT inclusiveness and Gender Mainstreaming as well as knowledge transfer and partnerships.

University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2015 to 2020, aimed to:

  • Strengthening efficiency on research management
  • Increasing the research capacity and quality of outputs
  • Increasing the dissemination of research results to end-users, and
  • Strengthening research networks and collaboration with key stakeholders

The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) 2015 to 2022.
COSTECH is a prime driver of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in Tanzania and strives to build capacity to innovate, produce a wider variety of high value goods and services, adopt and absorb technologies and utilize existing knowledge to solve social and economic constraints. COSTECH will create platforms to manage and communicate findings from research done in and on Tanzaniza. COSTECH, SPIDER and Stockholm University Department of Computer and Systems Science (DSV) partners to work at strengthening COSTECH’s capacity for research communication using ICT as a supporting tool. SPIDER has an advisory role and provides expertise to support COSTECH’s activity on building the digital platforms that will contribute to the research communication sub-programme. Experts from DSV and other SPIDER partner universities provide on-site support through short consultancies.

 

Access to a computer

3. Time management

As a researcher, managing your time effectively is crucial for productivity and achieving your goals. The team agrees on time management templates that are made available for everyone. Time management is discussed at every monthly meeting.

 Here are some strategies to help us manage our time more efficiently:

  1. Set clear goals: Start by defining your research goals and objectives. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks that you can work on. This will help you prioritize your time and stay focused.
  2. Plan and prioritize: Create a schedule or to-do list to plan your research activities. Identify the most important and time-sensitive tasks, and allocate specific time blocks for them. Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency.
  3. Use time management techniques: Explore different time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, where you work in focused bursts followed by short breaks, or time blocking, where you allocate specific time slots for different activities. Experiment and find the techniques that work best for you.
  4. Avoid multitasking: While it may seem like multitasking can help you get more done, it often leads to decreased productivity and lower quality work. Instead, focus on one task at a time, complete it, and then move on to the next one.
  5. Eliminate distractions: Minimize distractions that can derail your focus and consume valuable time. This may involve turning off notifications on your phone, closing unnecessary browser tabs, or finding a quiet space to work.
  6. Delegate and collaborate: If possible, delegate certain tasks or collaborate with colleagues or students to share the workload. This can help you save time and achieve more collectively.
  7. Take regular breaks: Breaks are essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. Schedule short breaks throughout your workday to relax, recharge, and clear your mind.
  8. Maintain a healthy work-life balance: It’s important to allocate time for activities outside of your research. Make sure to prioritize self-care, exercise, hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. Balancing your personal life with your research commitments can enhance your overall well-being and productivity.
  9. Continuously evaluate and adjust: Regularly review your progress and evaluate how you’re managing your time. Identify any areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to your schedule and strategies.

Remember that everyone’s work style and preferences are different, so it’s important to experiment and find the time management techniques that work best for you. It may take some trial and error to develop an effective time management system, so be patient and persistent in your efforts.

4. The Scientific Method

HR&S offers paid for training on the scientific method.

5. Literature review

Performing a scientific literature review involves a systematic approach to gather, evaluate, and synthesize existing research studies on a specific topic. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you conduct a scientific literature review:

  1. Define your research question or objective: Clearly define the focus and scope of your literature review. Formulate a specific research question or objective that will guide your review process.
  2. Identify relevant databases: Determine which databases are most appropriate for your research topic. Commonly used databases include PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and others specific to your field of study.
  3. Develop search terms: Construct a list of keywords and phrases related to your research question. Think about synonyms, alternative spellings, acronyms, and variations of terms that may be used in the literature.
  4. Conduct the initial search: Begin by searching the selected databases using your identified keywords and phrases. Refine and narrow down your search results as needed.
  5. Screen and select studies: Review the titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles to determine their relevance to your research question. Exclude studies that are clearly unrelated and select those that are potentially relevant for further evaluation.
  6. Read full-text articles: Obtain and read the full-text articles of the selected studies. Carefully examine the methodologies, results, and conclusions of each study to assess their quality and relevance to your research question.
  7. Extract relevant information: Create a data extraction form or table to record key information from each study, such as the author, year of publication, research design, sample size, main findings, and limitations. This will help you organize and compare the information later.
  8. Analyze and synthesize the literature: Identify common themes, patterns, and gaps in the literature. Compare and contrast the findings and conclusions of the studies. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each study and their implications for your research question.
  9. Write your literature review: Structure your literature review into sections, such as introduction, methods, results, and discussion. Summarize the main findings of the studies you reviewed, highlight any controversies or disagreements, and propose areas for further research.
  10. Revise and edit: Review your literature review for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Make sure you have properly cited all the sources you have referenced and formatted your review according to the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
  11. Update your review: Keep in mind that the scientific literature is continuously evolving. Consider updating your review periodically or before submitting it for publication to ensure it remains current.

Remember, a literature review should be objective and unbiased, presenting a comprehensive overview of existing research on the topic. It should provide insights into the current state of knowledge, identify research gaps, and contribute to the existing body of scientific literature.

Research4Life

provides institutions in lower income countries with online access to academic and professional peer-reviewed content. We aim to improve teaching, research and policy-making in health, agriculture, the environment and other life, physical and social sciences. Since 2002, Research4Life has provided researchers at more than 11,000 institutions in over 125 lower- and middle-income countries with free or low-cost online access to up 205,000 leading journals and books in the fields of health, agriculture, environment, applied sciences and legal information. We do this in partnership with organizations in the fields of scholarly communications, technology and international development: WHO, FAO, UNEP, WIPO, ILO; Cornell and Yale Universities; the International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers and more than 200 international publisher partners. There are five content collections:

  • Research for Health (Hinari),
  • Research in Agriculture (AGORA),
  • Research in the Environment (OARE),
  • Research for Development and Innovation (ARDI) and
  • Research for Global Justice (GOALI).
Hinari
 
Not-for-profit institutions from eligible countries, areas and territories can register for free or low-cost access to international scientific journals, publications and databases. Check eligibility criteria and discover how to register for access to Research4Life.
Users who are new to Research4Life may want to check our training material. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Dgroups or via our newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming trainings! Our resources can help you promote Research4Life in your institution.
  • UN agencies working in unison
  • Providing more than 125 countries, areas and territories in the developing world free or low-cost access
  • Content from up to 200 publishers
  • Latest technology support
  • More than 10,500 institutions registered
  • Up to 194,000 peer-reviewed international scientific journals, books, and databases available online
  • All stakeholders committed to support the programs at least until 2025
  • Ongoing plan to address the challenges and ensure a long-term legacy of research in developing countries
Training and effective promotion for librarians, information specialists, scientists, researchers and students. All materials are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

ChatGPT

6. Networking

As research communication is of global benefit, it is vital that researchers can find others in their field and get the information they need to develop their skills or ensure the latest research is shared and accessible (AuthorAID).

Mentorship

AuthorAID

Developing a global network of researchers.Through the network, researchers can find long-term mentors or short-term advice to help them through the process of research design, writing and publication. This also enables researchers to find others in their field for collaboration, discussion and information. https://www.authoraid.info/en/mentoring/

Find a mentor Are you an early-career researcher seeking someone more experienced to help you with your writing and research? Would you like guidance in writing and submitting scientific papers? Would you like advice about responding to reviewers? Are you seeking advice on writing grant applications? Learn more about the mentoring scheme

Become a mentor Are you a senior researcher or editor who can provide mentoring support to up-and-coming researchers? Would you like to volunteer for a cause that’s related to higher education or research? Are you keen to share your knowledge of research writing and scholarly publishing?  Do you enjoy coaching or mentoring? Learn more about becoming a mentor

Visiting other laboratories & receive visitors

  1. Ensure source of funding to cover all related costs.
  2. Define your research interests: Determine the specific area of research you are interested in exploring. This will help you identify relevant laboratories and researchers working in that field.
  3. Conduct online research: Use search engines, academic databases, and research platforms to find laboratories and research groups that align with your interests. Look for universities, research institutions, and private organizations that focus on your chosen area of study.
  4. Attend conferences and seminars: Academic conferences and seminars provide opportunities to connect with researchers in your field. Attend these events and actively engage with researchers, sharing your interests and goals. Networking at such events may lead to invitations to visit laboratories.
  5. Reach out to your network: Utilize your existing network of professors, mentors, colleagues, and peers. Let them know about your interest in visiting a laboratory and ask if they have any recommendations or contacts in the field.
  6. Check laboratory websites: Visit the websites of universities, research institutions, and specific laboratories. Look for information about their research programs, ongoing projects, and visiting researcher opportunities. Many laboratories have dedicated webpages or sections that provide information on how to visit or collaborate with them.
  7. Contact researchers directly: Once you have identified specific laboratories or researchers, reach out to them directly. Craft a concise and polite email introducing yourself, explaining your research interests, and expressing your desire to visit their laboratory. Highlight any relevant experience or qualifications you possess.
  8. Prepare a research proposal: Some laboratories may require you to submit a research proposal outlining the goals and objectives of your visit. Prepare a detailed proposal that showcases your understanding of the field, your research plan, and how your visit will benefit both parties.

Follow up and be patient: After reaching out to researchers or laboratories, give them some time to respond. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable period, consider sending a polite follow-up email to inquire about the status of your request. Remember, the availability and willingness of laboratories to accommodate visiting researchers can vary. Be prepared for the possibility of rejection or limited opportunities. Persistence and demonstrating genuine interest and enthusiasm for their work will increase your chances of securing a visit to a laboratory.

AuthorAID

Developing a global network of researchers.This enables researchers to find others in their field for collaboration, discussion and information. https://www.authoraid.info/en/mentoring/

Looking for research collaboration Are you an early-career researcher seeking someone to collaborate with on your research project? Find collaborators in our research community. Share details of your research project and put out a call for interested parties. Look for other research projects in your area of interest
Find out more about how you can connect with other researchers

Search the AuthorAID network for researcher Are you looking for a research partner or someone to discuss your work? Perhaps you are simply looking for a bit of advice or the opinion of someone in your field. With a network of over 17,000 researchers from around the world, we’re sure you will be able to find what you are looking for.Search the AuthorAID network

Call for collaborators on our Google Groups forum The AuthorAID Google Groups is an open forum for researchers to network and find collaborators around the globe. Look for collaboration opportunities or post details of your own research project. Also regularly updated with useful resources and tips on collaboration Enter the collaboration forums

OPCW

Providing scientists and engineers with opportunities to gain work experience in advance laboratories in the territory of other Member States.

https://www.opcw.org/resources/capacity-building/international-cooperation-programmes/fellowship-programme

Keep track of development institutions

Benefit from CRM software to be effective and efficient

Select Customer Relation manager (CRM) software and upload potential partners on the platform as customers. Use the platform to make the reaching out effective and efficient.
 
HR&S has developed a joint Hubspot platform for our HR&S  Country Branches.

7. Seeking research grants

  1. Keep track of and attend AuthorAID training events, AuthorAID offers twice-yearly MOOCs per year in research writing and/or grant proposal writing,
  2. AuthorAID resources.
    Present and become expert on the topic of the presentation.
  3. Monthly meetings where grant application drafts are presented, and reviewed by the team. Experts put extra effort on their area of expertise.
 

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) AuthorAID offers twice-yearly MOOCs per year in research writing and/or grant proposal writing, attracting thousands of participants from around the world and with high completion rates compared to typical MOOCs. The online courses are interactive and moderated, with peer-review exercises and discussion forums. All course completers receive a certificate. Courses covers topics such as: Literature reviews, publishing ethics, writing your paper, and getting published in a journal.

https://aasciences.africa/Programmes/ARISE

8. scientific equipment

HR&S offers paid for training & coaching on FAST.

Chemetrix Academy

We know the importance of well-trained lab personnel—not only for lab efficiency and productivity, but also for your career success. At the Chemetrix Academy, we’re dedicated to providing you flexible, cost-effective training options to help you reach your goals.

analytica Lab Africa

is the only trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, biotechnology and diagnostics in South Africa. The show features both local and international market leaders, addressing visitors in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. analytica Lab Africa provides a comprehensive overview of the entire range of topics that pertain to laboratories in research and industry across a wide range of sectors. analytica Lab Africa is co-located IFAT Africa, covering the full spectrum of lab technology and analysis, technologies for water, sewage, refuse and recycling.

IFAT Africa

is the ultimate platform to showcase technologies and solutions for water, sewage, refuse and recycling for the sub-Saharan Africa market. The trade fair is the gateway for international companies to the African market and for African enterprises to the global market, connecting key industry players with senior buyers and decision makers in the region.

9. Research communication

  1. Keep track of and attend AuthorAID training events.
    AuthorAID offers twice-yearly MOOCs per year in research writing and/or grant proposal writing, as well as intensive research writing courses targeting environmental health
  2. Same for Research4Life.
  3. AuthorAID resources.
    Present and become expert on the topic of the presentation.
  4. Monthly meetings where manuscripts are presented, and reviewed by the team.
    Experts put extra effort on their area of expertise.
 

AuthorAID online research communication training

Project dates INASP’s AuthorAID project aims to build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed by southern researchers and organisations so that their research can be published and communicated. The AuthorAID project was initiated by INASP in 2007. Since 2013, AuthorAID has provided free-to-access online courses in research and proposal writing for early-career researchers in low- and middle-income countries.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) AuthorAID offers twice-yearly MOOCs per year in research writing and/or grant proposal writing, attracting thousands of participants from around the world and with high completion rates compared to typical MOOCs. The online courses are interactive and moderated, with peer-review exercises and discussion forums. All course completers receive a certificate. Courses covers topics such as: Literature reviews, publishing ethics, writing your paper, and getting published in a journal.
Intensive research writing course targeting environmental health From 2013, INASP’s AuthorAID project run intensive research-writing courses for researchers working in environmental health. The 10- to 14-week courses provide hands-on and practical support to a small cohort of researchers looking to transform a draft manuscript into a publishable journal article. The course supports participants to improve their technical writing and editing skills to increase the chance of their views and findings reaching an international audience through publication in major journals. Participants go through online lessons, engage in online discussions with fellow participants and facilitators, and complete weekly assignments, including peer reviews of classmates’ work, and receive extensive written feedback on their draft manuscript.

Springer “Follow our checklist to avoid common mistakes and get your manuscript to journal editors faster.”

https://beta.springernature.com/pre-submission

10. Implementing findings

Entrepreneurship

HR&S offers paid for training & coaching on SCALE.

Action10

Action10 offers soft loans in our eight sub-Saharan partner countries.

Test the Strength of Evidence (TestE)

Acknowledgement

The Research management support programme (REACH) was developed by Assoc. Prof. Cecilia ÖMAN.

She is grateful for the support provided by friends, colleagues and partners all over the world.