Pathways to research leadership for early career researchers in Africa: A potential role for African and Global Funders

J. Jackson; A. Neba; C. Viney; L. Mtwisha; A. de-Graft Aikins; A. Mitchell; H. Kebirungi; K. Outtara

doi:10.20853/36-2-4697

J. Jackson Michigan State University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5879-0306
A. Neba African Academy of Science, Nairobi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6112-8433
C. Viney Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) / Vitae, Cambridge https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2882-2877
L. Mtwisha University of Cape Town https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0124-9903
A. de-Graft Aikins University College London https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9215-0134
A. Mitchell University of Lincoln https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0704-1580
H. Kebirungi Kyambogo University, Kampala https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3500-0524
K. Outtara Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20853/36-2-4697

Keywords: early career researchers, research leadership, funders, Africa, professional development and career pathways

Abstract

Early career researchers at African universities face numerous challenges and demands within a context of minimum resources; yet on the other hand, there is significant expectation for doing excellent science that is of high quality with integrity, while aligning science with societal goals. Furthermore, there is also expectation to increase outputs, make the system more inclusive, attract international partners and contribute to the University’s global rankings. The need therefore to build research capacity, expand the number of active researchers and advance the careers of African researchers has never been more critical, particularly if continental and other global priorities are to be achieved. There is consensus that research leadership is essential to building research capacity in African universities. As a result, there have been increasing investments in building research capacity and research leadership, with initiatives ranging from the creation of north-south research partnerships across disciplines and empirical subjects, to training research leaders and university administrators in top ranking universities in Europe and North America, as well as building the capacity of funders and science systems in Africa. This article will examine the competencies required to be a research leader and the programs that are currently available that support capacity building in research leadership. In addition, it will provide perspectives on the role that global and African funders should play to advance the careers of early career researchers to transition into research leaders, foster innovation, build linkages with policy makers and promote scientific leadership in Africa.

Author Biographies

J. Jackson, Michigan State University

Dr. José Jackson is the Co-Director of the Alliance for African Partnerships (AAP) at Michigan State University, a consortium of African institutions and Michigan State University established to co-create innovative solutions to global challenges that will transform lives in Africa. She has responsibilities for establishing a robust network of innovative partnerships among MSU, African universities, and other international partners; ensuring that the AAP has a governance structure that reflects and promotes the model of co-creation; strengthening capacity at partner institutions, particularly in the area of research and innovation management; promoting programs for women in science as well as attracting a diversity of resources necessary to achieve its vision of impact.

A. Neba, African Academy of Science, Nairobi

Dr. Alphonsus Neba is the Deputy Director Programs Science Support and Systems, African Academy of Science, Nairobi, Kenya

C. Viney, Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) / Vitae, Cambridge

Clare Viney is the Chief Executive Officer, Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) / Vitae, Cambridge, United Kingdom

L. Mtwisha, University of Cape Town

Linda Mtwisha is the Executive Director Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa

A. de-Graft Aikins, University College London

Professor Ama de-Graft Aikins is the British Academy Global Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom

A. Mitchell, University of Lincoln

Alison Mitchel is the Director of Inclusive Development, University of Lincoln, Brayford Way, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom

H. Kebirungi, Kyambogo University, Kampala

Dr. Harriet Kebirungi is the Coordinator, Gender Mainstreaming Unit, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda

K. Outtara, Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan University

Dr. Karim Outtara, Head, Biodiversity, Ethology and Conservation (BEC), Swiss Center for Scientific Research, Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan University, Côte d'Ivoire

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Pathways to research leadership for early career researchers in Africa: A potential role for African and Global Funders

Abstract

Author Biographies

References

This journal is an open access journal, and the authors and journal should be properly acknowledged, when works are cited.