Call for Applications: 2015 Science Advice Workshop for African Scientists

The call for application to attend a science advice workshop for African Scientists on 26-27 February 2016 is now open (See attached document). Please assist us in circulating the call widely within your networks.

The workshop will bring together 50 scientists (young and established researchers) and key stakeholders for a dialogue on models of science advice, and promising practices for working at the interface between science and policy, and will form a basis for a network of science advice stakeholders in Africa.

It is coordinated by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) on behalf of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) which is a newly formed network operating under the aegis of the International Council of Science (ICSU).

This call is open to researchers residing and working on the African continent. Applications meeting the following criteria will be prioritised:

a.    Have a science background (natural and applied sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering, health and medical sciences);

b.    Be affiliated to institutions of higher learning, academies of science, government/ statutory/private research/advisory institutes;

c.    Demonstrate the policy relevance of their area of research specialisation or professional expertise.

The following documents should be submitted electronically (via email) to Kholani Mbhiza (kholani@assaf.org.za) by 30 October 2015:

a.    Brief biography (not more than 400 words);

b.    Comprehensive CV (including list of publications);

c.    Motivation letter (this should cover: current contributions to the science-policy interface, reasons to be considered to attend the workshop, and how the lessons learnt from the workshop would be disseminated and would benefit the applicant’s country)

d.    Letter of reference supporting the application

Call for applications - African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships 2016

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is pleased to announce the ninth call for applications for the African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships (ADDRF). The ADDRF Fellowship Program seeks to facilitate more rigorous engagement of doctoral students in research, strengthen their research skills, and provide them an opportunity for timely completion of their doctoral training. The Program targets doctoral students with strong commitment to a career in training and/or research. The overall goal of the ADDRF Program is to support the training and retention of highly-skilled, locally-trained scholars in research and academic positions across the region.

The ADDRF will award about 20 fellowships in 2016 to doctoral students who are within two years of completing their thesis at an African university. In this phase of funding and in consideration of IDRC’s health programming priorities, candidates whose dissertation topics address health policy or health systems issues will be given special consideration.

The application form and supporting documents (attached) must be submitted on email at2016addrf@aphrc.org

For questions, please contact:
The ADDRF Manager, E-mail: 2016addrf@aphrc.org
Telephone: 254 20 400 1000/ +254 20 266 2244 /+254 20 266 2255
Cell: +254 722 205-933 / 720 098-388 / 733 410-102; Fax : +254 20 400 1101

Kindly circulate the call widely

Downloads:

• 2016 ADDRF English Call
• 2016  English ADDRF Application
• Budget Template 2016 ADDRF
• Timeline to completion
• Tips for preparing an application for an ADDRF Award

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Date limite: 15 janvier 2016

African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), avec l’appui du Centre de Recherche pour le Développement International (CRDI) a le plaisir de lancer le 9e appel à candidatures pour la Bourse Africaines de Recherche pour la Rédaction de Thèse (ADDRF). ADDRF a pour but de faciliter un engagement plus rigoureux des étudiants en thèse de doctorat dans la recherche; de renforcer leurs capacités à faire la recherche ainsi que d’offrir aux boursiers l’opportunité de terminer à temps la rédaction de leur thèse. La bourse vise les étudiants en thèse de doctorat engagés vers une carrière en formation et/ou en recherche. Le but général d’ADDRF est d’appuyer la formation et le maintien de spécialistes dans la région, formés localement dans le secteur académique et de la recherche.

L’ADDRF attribuera environ 20 bourses en 2016. Ces bourses seront octroyées aux étudiants d’universités africaines auxquels il reste tout au plus deux ans pour terminer leurs thèses.Pendant cette phase et en tenant compte des priorités du CRDI en matière de programmes de santé, une attention particulière sera accordée aux candidat(e)s dont les sujets de thèses adressent les problèmes de politique de santé ou de système de santé.

Le formulaire de demande et les pièces justificatives (re-joint) doivent être soumis à un seul email à 2016addrf@aphrc.org

Pour des questions, veuillez contacter:
ADDRF Manager, Courrier électronique: 2016addrf@aphrc.org

The application form below and supporting documents must be filled and submitted via email at 2015addrf@aphrc.org | Le formulaire de demande et les pièces justificatives doivent être soumis à un seul email à  2015addrf@aphrc.org

Downloads:

• 2016 ADDRF French Call
• 2016 French ADDRF Application form
• Budget Template 2016 ADDRF
• Timeline to completion
• Conseils pour préparer une demande ADDRF

My visit to the University of Warwick - A game changer in my studies

By Tumaini Malenga Chiseko, Cohort 4 fellow

Tumaini Malenga

Most sincere thanks to CARTA for the support during my six weeks stay at the University of Warwick, under the supervision of Prof. Frances Griffiths. I am a cohort 4 CARTA fellow pursuing my studies at the University of Malawi's College of Medicine. My research is embedded in the Majete Malaria Project (MMP). MMP is a collaboration of African Parks with Wageningen University, Amsterdam Medical Centre and University of Malawi’s College of Medicine, to set up a community-driven malaria prevention intervention study in a low-income community surrounding a wildlife reserve. I will be assessing the social implications of the intervention with regards to health behaviour and changes in socio-economic indicators.

My time at Warwick was an incredibly fruitful experience in terms of getting me to think more critically about the approach to my research question, as well as polish up on my writing. I was very well supported at the medical school and had all the resources of a Warwick student at my disposal. I had access to the library, and online journals to perform my searches. I also had access to the student working space where I was able to interact with other Warwick doctoral students, some were fellow Africans. 

While at Warwick, I was given the opportunity to present my work at a seminar. I had the opportunity to have my work discussed and I responded to questions that needed my attention whereas I took note of what I needed to work on later.  This helped me improve on expressing my ideas. There were opportunities to participate in other seminars organized by the department. I was lucky to attend a seminar with a very similar topic to mine something that gave me an opportunity to update myself on the current literature on behaviour change communication as it relates to health, as well as other literature on influences of changes in health behaviour.

Prof. Frances Griffiths

Whilst there, Prof. Griffiths and I met four times a week for five weeks and talked through my systematic literature review. She took time out of an incredibly busy schedule to support me in a manner that I felt confident in the work I was doing. The walk back to the library after each meeting was my way of reflection. There were days I would burn out mentally but was always comforted after a meeting as I felt I had made some progress. 

I learnt something new every day. It was a learning curve for us both as we tried to create a piece that brought something new to the arguments and seeing where the old thoughts were exhausted and the new gaps emerged. I did second guess myself quite a lot and I must commend Frances for helping me believe that the answer was somewhere in my mind, I just had to trust that I can bring it all together.

Coincidentally I met with Prof. Donald Cole, also affiliated with CARTA, who has very kindly agreed to co-author my paper. He offered support on his visit to Warwick and has helped shape structure the paper and my line of argument. Also useful were the one to one sessions, lasting well over an hour, with the librarian Samantha Johnson. Sam helped me understand how to run searches for articles for a review and searching for literature in general. I also met Dr Gillian Hundt who very kindly spent time with me helping me think about prospects for the future and options I would have as a young researcher in Africa.

This visit gave me an opportunity to access quite a number of useful resources that I do not have access to in Malawi. After the six weeks being at Warwick, I had the opportunity to put my paper in good shape. I am hopeful that my work will soon turn into my very first publication which I would be very proud to share. I urge other CARTA fellows to take advantage of such opportunities availed by CARTA.  

Special thanks to the CARTA program for availing me this opportunity that has been an eye opener for me. I can testify that this visit has positively impacted on my research and I am confident that I will excel in remaining areas of my fellowship. I also thank Prof. Frances Griffiths and Donald Cole for helping me work through my systematic review. Gillian Hundt and Margaret Thorogood for mentoring and advice given before and during my stay at the University. Gaynor and Barbara with logistics of helping me settle in, and Samantha for helping me with the journal article searches.  

Equipping researchers with skills to become able research leaders

Fundraising for research is fundamental. It requires advanced skills in grant writing.   However, most scholars and researchers find themselves asking this question: Why do funding applications fail? This is why CARTA has introduced a Graduate Workshop for its fellows who have graduated from the program to equip them with necessary skills for developing winning proposals. 

The workshop was held from September 28 to October 2, 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. Attended by 17 participants, the workshop drew facilitators from CARTA northern partner institutions including the University of Warwick, the University of Toronto and the University of Gothenburg and APHRC.  The experts spent significant time in the one-on-one sessions with participants and guided them on how to improve their research ideas.

The CARTA Graduate Workshop was organized to help participants: write a proposal that addresses a research question in line with their interests; understand how to structure and write the proposal; understand the process of developing a proposal; seek and receive critique of research ideas and plans; and appreciate the importance of successfully working towards submission deadline.

“Our vision for a CARTA fellow is that of a researcher who is able to contribute effectively to their area of expertise and able to be a research leader. Winning competitive grants is one such indicator of a research leader,” said Dr. Alex Ezeh, CARTA Director while launching the workshop. “You cannot be an effective researcher if you do not have funds to do your work. The workshop builds on the skills and competencies that the fellows acquire during their PhD fellowship,” he added.

“Poor writing, referencing, grammatical errors, proof reading of grant application significantly detract from its overall quality, said Dr. Evelyn Gitau, Programme Manager, Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA), adding, “Don’t give up, unsuccessful applications are common.”

Participants thanked CARTA, facilitators and external reviewers for providing high quality valuable advice and promised to complete the proposals in good time.