Capacity building for research leadership: The need, support and strategies for growing African research leaders
This study examines research leadership in social science and policy research in Africa and identifies the capacity needs for training
Abstract
A robust social science and policy research capacity in Africa is essential to rigorous basic and applied research in the quest for solutions to the region’s development challenges. Building a strong research capacity means creating supportive institutional environments, and the availability of a cadre of competent researchers and experienced research leaders. Recognising this value, many developed countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, have developed formal training programmes to specifically progress researchers into research leaders. Anecdotal evidence suggests Africa’s persistent problems - such as lack of adequate funding and infrastructure – affect the availability and effectiveness of research leaders, not least in social science and policy research which operate under seriously under-resourced conditions.
This work was commissioned by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), with the financial support of UKaid from the Department for International Development.
Citation
Owusu, F.; Kalipeni, E.; Kiiru, J.M.M. Capacity building for research leadership: The need, support and strategies for growing Africanresearch leaders. Partnership for African Social and Governance Research, Nairobi, Kenya (2014) 69 pp.
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