Research capacity can be broadly defined as a country’s ability to produce, debate and use research knowledge and products relevant to their needs, such as new technologies. In the international development domain, research capacity strengthening is a key concern. Research capacity is a long-term, complex process that requires the interplay of individuals, organizations, national and international research systems. No model or mechanism has emerged as the most effective at supporting research capacity development.
The complexities of country contexts mean that diverse and multi-faceted approaches are appropriate. In some approaches to research capacity support, the ideal is for capacity to be led by partners in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The reality in consortia models is often that high-income countries have a larger influence on directing and managing grants and are accountable for the outputs. It is difficult for LMIC partners to take any real lead on research projects in these circumstances.
The aim of the session is to discuss and learn from different approaches of research capacity building beyond short-term research projects, bringing together the perspectives of researchers and funders.
Chaired by GLOHRA Steering Committee members:
Prof. Dr. Johanna Hanefeld
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) | Professor Global Health Policy | United Kingdom
Prof. Dr. Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Center for Global Health | Co-Director | Germany
Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Ifedayo M. O. Adetifa
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) | Director-General | Nigeria
Dr. Garry Aslanyan
World Health Organization (WHO) | Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) | Manager of Partnerships and Governance
Dr. Michael Makanga
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) | Executive Director | The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. Faith Osier
Imperial College London | Faculty of Natural Sciences | Department of Life Sciences | Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology | Chair | United Kingdom
Prof. Dr. Veronika von Messling
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) | Director-General for Life Sciences | Germany