Strengthening the role of African Science Granting Councils in promoting ethics and integrity in research and innovation
“Ethics and Integrity in Research and Innovation in Development” was the theme of the 2020 Science Granting Council’s (SGC) Masterclass. African SGCs need to enhance their activities and roles as part of their responsibilities in supporting ethical conduct of research and innovation. The African science enterprise through SGCs, needs to adapt to growing concerns if it is to remain relevant. SGCs should play a leading role in facilitating development of, or revision of research policies to ensure that ethics and integrity issues are addressed satisfactorily. This policy brief is a response to the growth in research being conducted in African countries.
Author(s): Ndebele, Paul, Tindana, Paulina, Kasule, Mary, Nenguke, Zivai, Bolo, Maurice
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Language: English
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Influencing policy change : a training and reference manual
This manual for researchers and policy development emphasizes (i) Key concepts and principles of policymaking – including evidence, conflicts, processes and terminologies; (ii) Instruments and tools of influence; (iii) Strategies for designing and writing effective policy briefs; and (iv) Debates surrounding policy influence such as the role of the media, gender roles, politics and advocacy. Where strong linkages exist between researchers and policy actors, these are more likely to promote evidence-based policies and create a policy environment that supports and facilitates innovation. The course employs mixed methods, including interactive lectures, individual assignments, group work sessions, plenary Q&A sessions, guest lectures, and multimedia presentations.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice
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Language: English
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Promoting ethics and integrity in research and innovation for development in Africa : the role of Africa’s science granting councils : a discussion paper prepared for the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) master class of 2021
The paper advocates for Science Granting Councils (SGC) to enhance ethics and integrity activities as part of their responsibilities for supporting ethical conduct of research and innovation. SGCs should play a leading role in facilitating development of, or revision of research policies to ensure that ethics and integrity issues are addressed satisfactorily. The African science enterprise through SGCs, needs to adapt to growing concerns if it is to remain relevant. The paper provides an in- depth report of current and existing challenges within the purview of the Science Granting Councils, which was provided to SGCs from 15 participating African countries at the SGCI Masterclass event.
Author(s): Ndebele, Paul, Tindana, Paulina, Kasule, Mary, Nenguke, Zivai
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Language: English
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Science granting council initiative online monitoring and evaluation system : user manual
This system works to monitor, track and report on achievement of Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) programme objectives. It can be accessed from everywhere and serves 15 council Member Country secretariats, with a real time analytics component. This manual is a “how-to” introduction to the portal, explaining dashboard navigation and user activities specifically aimed at organization administrators and coordinators, as well as how to access the training module. The dashboard of a regular user’s portal is similar, but with limited functionality.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Developing a social and behaviour change (SBC) and advocacy strategy for science granting councils (SGCs) in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) : a localization guide
The goal of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is to strengthen the capacities of the Science Granting Councils in sub-Saharan Africa to manage research, design and monitor research programs, and formulate and implement evidence-based policies. A Facilitation Guide for developing a Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Communication and Advocacy Strategy for Science Granting Councils is meant to direct users through steps that will lead to developing a National SBC&A strategy for each respective SGC. This paper outlines goals and tasks for developing the Facilitation Guide and SBC Strategy, drawing from current research models, communication strategies, knowledge management approaches and activities.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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‘Karibu Science’ : communication and advocacy strategy for science governing council (SGC) in Kenya
Science Granting Councils (SGC) are key players in the development of strong national Science, Technology and Innovation systems (STI) which are precursors for transformation to knowledge-based African economies. ‘Karibu Science’ strategically seeks to facilitate the entry of science into African socio-cultural, political and economic lives. The communication and advocacy strategy is positioned to move STI from its seclusion within high walled research labs, universities and libraries into the public domain. This phase of the SGC initiative works to create an environment for the uptake of research by delineating communication and advocacy objectives.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Rice husks to power communities
A rice husk gasification process has been developed in order to generate rural electricity. Electricity is neither accessible nor affordable for many Malawians. A pilot project has been proposed for some test villages.
Author(s): Chitete, Suzgo
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MEL framework for science, technology and innovation grant awarding councils in Africa
The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework provides guidance and tools for strengthening management and programming in Science Granting Councils (SGC) initiatives. This detailed paper analyzes the MEL methodology, mechanisms and characteristics of implementation at institution and stakeholder levels. The MEL framework has been structured into three sets of interlinked Key Performance Indicators (PKI). They cover country specific development targets under thematic areas, as well as performance of the SGCs under six key objectives. The objectives of SGCs are: Fund research in Science, Technology and Innovation; Foster International cooperation in STI; Coordinate Linkages; Capacity building; Governance and Policy advice and formulation.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Knowledge management strategy for SGCs
Knowledge management (KM) strategy guides the coordinating role that Science Granting Councils (SGC) play in ensuring that knowledge management systems are operating optimally. This includes ensuring that financial resources are leveraged, and that a well-understood regulatory framework exists to create a conducive environment for research. SGCs also coordinate the dissemination of research so that findings can be used in decision making and policy formulation. KM strategy is operationalized in the Social and Behavior Change Communication Strategy. This draft document reviews Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) operations, recommendations and goals.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Desk study : how research granting councils and similar organizations have approached social inclusion (process and outcomes)
The European Working Group on Empowering the Excluded (1999) explains social inclusion as the development of capacity and opportunity to play a full role in society, including economic, social, psychological and political. An intervention may focus on one or more attributes of inequity. Science Granting Councils (SGC) are advised to choose at least four Gender and Social Inclusion (GeSI) areas, with gender as a stand-alone and intersecting attribute; age, disability and geography ranking the highest. In contexts where attributes other than these four are prominent, they may be considered and discussed in addition to, but not instead of, gender, age, disability and geographic inclusion.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Review of current literature on communications, knowledge and gap analysis
This integrative literature review critiques and synthesizes secondary data from the Science Granting Councils (SGC) and Collaborating Technical Agencies (CTAs) on communication and knowledge management best practices, and works to identify gaps and needs. Capacity building needs are summarized in a table of 13 countries. Inadequate and non-sustainable public funding of science is a challenge in most sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries mainly due to the low rate of R&D investment (excepting South Africa). Engagement with the private sector was seen as a core communication activity that requires a buy-in from the private sector to increase or embrace research funding.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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SGCI 1 at a glance
This poster/one-pager describes the work of the Science Granting Councils initiatives through four themes: research management; use of indicators; private and public partnerships; and, building networks.
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Language: English
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Strategy to mainstream gender and social inclusion in science granting councils in Sub-Sahara Africa
Author(s): Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
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Language: English
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Final report of the review of the science granting councils initiative (SGCI) communication strategies
This review included a systematic in-depth assessment of the science granting council initiative (SGCI) communication tools, platforms and approaches. Recommendations to enhance outreach strategy and communications include a specific monitoring evaluation plan, and allocation of resources for a fulltime communications specialist to support internal and external communications. Annual regional meetings are highly valued. SGCI has made strong investments in the creation of new knowledge, including policy options for research resource allocation, best practices for research management [manuals and guides for SGCs], as well as the establishment of networks that promote science, technology and innovation-driven development in Africa.
Author(s): Namvua, Evelyn, Makila, Ethel, Odongo, Dorine
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Language: English
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