Research Theme 5: Communication, dissemination and exploitation strategy

Training and capacity building activities will be coordinated by IRD, Epicentre, and LSTM, with a focus on research training for early career researchers from LMICs and Makerere University/College of Health Sciences. These activities will be developed in close collaboration with local partners to ensure they address local needs, are equitable across countries, and adhere to gender balance requirements. The multidisciplinary nature of the project and consortium will allow training and PhD topics to cover fields such as clinical research, epidemiology, biostatistics, qualitative research, and health economics.

Tailor-made Training Programmes

At the project’s outset, the coordinating teams will work in collaboration with local partners to develop a comprehensive training plan. Training on study implementation, coordinated by IRD, will be conducted at each country site, covering ethics, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Good Documenting Practice (GDocP), and Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP). LSTM will support qualitative and cost studies training, while Makerere University will focus on the implementation trial. To ensure adherence to meet international GCP standards, training will be provided to research, medical, nursing, and MoH staff through workshops and on-the-job training. Scientific training in epidemiology, clinical research, biostatistics, qualitative studies, implementation research, and cost studies will be scheduled throughout the project, conducted in English and available remotely for all participating countries.

PhD and Postdoctoral Training Programme

The project has recruited three PhD students.  These students will choose to train in areas such as paediatrics, epidemiology, health economics, qualitative research, and implementation science, registering for a minimum of three years at one of the EU partner universities and co-supervised by at least two consortium partners. They will benefit from networks and opportunities associated with IRD and LSTM, including participation in Bordeaux University’s annual summer school on sustainable African cities. Additionally, the consortium will support two postdocs: a social scientist at TRUE in Malawi for formative research studies and a health economist at LSTM in the UK for health economic studies, both under the guidance of senior consortium members.