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WUNGlobalAfricaGroupResearchImpactWorkshop
ImplementingtheSDGsinEastAfrica:Translatingcollaborativeresearchintopolicyimpact
Workshopparticipants,UniversityofNairobiTowers,29November2018
UniversityofNairobi,Kenya,29-30November2018
WorkshopReport
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TableofContents
Heading PageWorkshopsummaryandthanksbyWorkshopConvenersandCo-Chairs,WUNGlobalAfricaGroup
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WelcomemessagebyProfessorPeterM.F.Mbithi,Vice-Chancellor,UniversityofNairobi
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Abouttheworkshophost:UniversityofNairobi 7MapofEastAfricaregionandsurrounds 9Workshopformat 10Workshopprogram 11Workshopfindingsandoutcomes 14Samplesofpost-workshopfeedbackbyparticipants 16Listofworkshopparticipants 19
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Workshopsummaryandthanks:ConvenersandGAGCo-ChairsDearworkshopparticipantsandotherstakeholders,
TheaspirationsfortheAfricanUnion’sAgenda2063:TheAfricaWeWantchallengegovernments,scholarsandtheinternationalcommunitytomeaningfullycontributetoAfrica’sdevelopmentagenda.Previousdevelopmentagendas,manyofwhichwereimposedonAfricanstates,didnotyieldtheexpectedresults.Instead,theyopenedupAfricaforexploitationandalsomarginalisedordinarypeople.IntheeraoftheUN2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment,whichincludes17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs),itisexpectedthatresearchwillprovidemuchofthedataneededtoguidepolicyformulationanddecisionmaking.Twoquestionsarisefromthisexpectation:
howcanorshouldtheresearchcommunityorganiseitselftoplayacriticalroleinAfrica’sdevelopment?HowshouldresearchonSDGsengagewithexistingpoliciesbutalsotranslateintoimpactfulpoliciesfor‘TheAfricaWeWant’.Usingaregionalresearchhubsapproach,theWorldwideUniversitiesNetworkGlobalAfricaGroupconveneditsannualResearchImpactWorkshopattheUniversityofNairobi,Kenya,toexaminetherolesofcollaborativeresearchinachievingtheSDGsintheEastAfricaregionand,indoingso,deliberatelyexploredtheopportunitiesandchallengesforresearch-policylinkages.Aregionalapproachisusefulforthreereasons.First,theGlobalAfricaGroupaimstodevelopregionalresearchhubsanchoredonitsmemberuniversitiesonthecontinent(Nairobi,Ghana,CapeTown)butalsodrawinginregionaluniversitiesandresearchersandpartneringwithlikemindedresearchnetworksandotherorganisations.TheUniversityofNairobi,astheEastAfricanhub,hostedthe2018GlobalAfricaGroupworkshopfollowingpreviousresearchworkshopsinAccra(June2017)andCapeTown(December2017).Second,theapproachappreciatesregionalvariationandcontext-specificdevelopmentchallengestowhichresearchshouldcontributeintangibleways.Third,aregionalapproachprovidesaplatformfordevelopingregionalpolicyresponsestoAgenda2063andtheSDGs.TheworkshopwasheldatUniversityofNairobiTowers,Kenya,on29-30November2018.AccommodationandtheworkshopdinnerwereheldattheNairobiSafariClubhotel.Somerelevantworkshoppre-readingmaterialsweremadeavailableontheWUNGlobalAfricaGroupwebsite,andcollatedworkshoppresentationslidesarealsoavailableonthewebsitetoaccompanythisreport.AsworkshopCo-ConvenorsandCo-ChairsoftheGlobalAfricaGroup,wewereextremelyimpressedbythequalityandrangeofpresentationsandbythelevelofactiveparticipationbythe60participants—whoincludedbothseniorandpostgraduateresearchersandarangeofregionalpolicyandmediapractitioners.Theworkshopfindingsandfeedback,aspresentedlaterinthisreport,indicatethatourapproachofcombiningaForumwithaseriesofMasterclasseswasusefultoparticipantsastheyconsideredthenatureofresearch-policylinkages
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intheimplementationoftheSDGsinEastAfrica.Wewouldliketothankalloftheworkshopparticipantsfortheirtime,energyandengagement.WewouldalsoliketosincerelythankourgeneroushostsattheUniversityofNairobi,includingVice-ChancellorProf.PeterMbithi,whoinvitedustoconvenethisworkshopinNairobiin2018duringWUNconsultationsinNairobiinJune2017,andActingDVCResearch,ProductionandExtensionProf.MadaraOgot,whoalsoservesasUoN’sWUNCoordinator.Furthermore,wewouldliketothankEmmanuelGuantaiandtheUoNsupportteamforsoablyfacilitatingthelogisticalmattersfortheworkshop,aswellasCollinsMuchaforthephotography.Theworkshopranverysmoothly—thankstoourhosts!WewouldalsoliketothankWilnaVenter,theWUNGlobalAfricaGroupCoordinatorbasedattheUniversityofCapeTown,forherexcellentsupportacrossallaspectsoftheworkshopprogram,andDrSusieJim,ChairoftheWUNCoordinatorsGroupbasedattheUniversityofBristol,forheractivesupportfortheworkshop.WewouldalsoliketothankthemembersoftheWUNGlobalAfricaGroupSteeringCommittee—boththosewhoparticipatedintheworkshopandthosewhoprovidedadvicefromafar.ThiswasthefinalworkshopunderourCo-ChairingoftheGroup(2016-18)andwelookforwardtotransitioningtotheincomingleadershipofProf.FlorettaBoonzaier(UniversityofCapeTown)andProf.SueParnell(UniversityofBristol)astheytakeoverasCo-Chairsforthe2019-21term.WewishthemallthebestandlookforwardtoparticipatinginfutureGlobalAfricaGroupworkshops.Westronglyencourageworkshopparticipantstocontinuetobuildtheirprofessionalnetworks—bothwithinacademiaaswellasinthepolicyworld—andtoactivelyworktowardsproducinganacademicpaper,policybriefing,mediapieceorgrantapplicationbasedontheideasandpracticaladviceprovidedatthisworkshop.TheGlobalAfricaGroupiskeentosupportthesetangibleoutcomes.Pleaseseeourwebsiteforfurtherinformationandfutureupdates:http://www.wun.ac.uk/wun/research/view/global-africa-groupKindregards,DavidandMaano
Prof.MaanoRamusindela DrDavidMicklerUniversityofCapeTown UniversityofWesternAustraliaCo-Chairs,WUNGlobalAfricaGroup13December2018
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OpeningremarksProf.PeterM.F.Mbithi
Vice-Chancellor,UniversityofNairobi
DistinguishedguestsLadiesandgentlemenOnbehalf of theUniversity ofNairobi andonmyownbehalf,itismypleasuretowelcomeyoutotheUniversityofNairobiandtotheWUNGlobalAfricaGroupworkshopon ‘ImplementingSDGs inEastAfrica: translating collaborative research intopolicyimpact’.
Itisquiteaprivilegeforus,theUniversityofNairobifraternitytobeamemberofWUNandanhonourtohostthisWUNGAGresearchimpactworkshop.Ladiesandgentlemen,theAgenda2063:TheAfricaWeWantplacesanexpectationon governments, scholars and the international community to contribute toAfrica’s development. The UN 2030 development agenda, from which manynationaldevelopmentblueprintsarederived,expectsthatresearchshouldplayacriticalroleindevelopment.
At the national level, the Vision 2030 also recognizes the role of research anddevelopment,scienceandtechnologyandinnovationinimprovingtheeconomyandhumandevelopment.On our part, the University of Nairobi being a research intensive university iscommittedtoensuringthatourresearch,acrossalldisciplinesremainsrelevantandthatitpositivelyimpactsthecommunityandtheregion.As such theUniversityofNairobi in its strategicdirection remainsalive to thesignificanceofresearchandhowitimpactsdevelopment,makingconsciousanddeliberateeffortstoachievethesame.
The role that research plays in identifying problems afflicting society andproviding solutions for the same cannot be overemphasized. This workshopthereforecomesattherighttimewhenthefocusisonresearchtoimpactpolicyanddevelopment,nationallyandglobally.Ladiesandgentlemen,IamawarethatthisworkshopwillbeexaminingtheroleofcollaborativeresearchinachievingSDGsinEastAfricaandwillexplorethelinkbetweenresearchandpolicy,identifyinggapsthatmayexist.IamalsoawaretheWUN Global Africa Group has taken a regional approach of strengthening thecontributionofresearchtodevelopmentbycreatingresearchhubs.
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Isincerelybelievethattheregionalapproachofstrengtheningthecontributionofresearchtodevelopmentwithineachregionisaviableapproachboundtomaketangiblecontributionsinaddressingtheregion-specificdevelopmentchallenges.Ladiesandgentlemen,withtheseremarks,Iwelcomeyouagain,totheUniversityofNairobi,anddeclaretheWUNGAGResearchImpactWorkshopofficiallyopen.Iwishyouallfruitfuldiscussions.ThankyouPETERM.F.MBITHI,PHD,EBSVICE-CHANCELLORANDPROFESSOROFVETERINARYSURGERY
Mainentrance:UniversityofNairobicampus
WorkshopmemberswithVice-ChancellorProf.PeterMbithi
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Abouttheworkshophost:UniversityofNairobi,Kenya
OurVisionistobeaworld-classuniversitycommittedtoscholarlyexcellence.
OurMissionistoprovidequalityuniversityeducationandtrainingandtoembodytheaspirationsoftheKenyanpeopleandtheglobalcommunitythroughcreation,preservation,integration,transmissionandutilizationofknowledge.
Websitehttp://www.uonbi.ac.ke/
Workshop venue: University of Nairobi Towers
TheUniversityofNairobi,abodycorporateestablishedundertheUniversitiesAct2012ofthelawsofKenyaandtheUniversityofNairobiCharter,isthepioneerinstitutionofUniversityeducationinKenyaandtheregion.
TheonlyinstitutionofhigherlearninginKenyaforalongtime,theUniversityofNairobirespondedtothenational,regionalandAfrica'shighlevelmanpowertrainingneedsbydevelopingandevolvingstrong,diversifiedacademicprogrammesandspecializationsinbasicsciences,appliedsciences,technology,humanities,socialsciencesandthearts.
ThroughmoduleII(continuingeducation)programmes,invaluableopportunityhasbeenopenedtohundredsofKenyansandnon-Kenyans,onapayingbasis,whomeetuniversityadmissionrequirements,butwhohavenotbeenabletoaccessuniversityeducationduetorestrictedintakeintotheregularprogrammesthatisdeterminedbylimitedresourceallocationbyGovernment.
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Inthiseffort,thelocationofthesevencampusesoftheUniversityinthecapitalcityanditsenvironsandfacilitatingeasyaccess,hasbeenanassetthathasseentheuniversityincreasinglybecomethebusyhubandcitadelofacademicactivityatalltimes.
Inadditiontotheregularandeveningandweekendprogrammes,classesareconductedattheUniversity'sExtraMuralCentreslocatedatthecountry'scountyheadquarters.
Theuniversityisproudofitsdistinguishedrecordofachievementsinteaching,research,developmentandconsultancywhilestrategizingforagreaterfutureasthecentreofacademic,researchandprofessionalexcellence.
TheinceptionoftheUniversityofNairobiistracedbackto1956,withtheestablishmentoftheRoyalTechnicalCollegewhichadmitteditsfirstlotofA-levelgraduatesfortechnicalcoursesinAprilthesameyear.TheRoyalTechnicalCollegewastransformedintothesecondUniversityCollegeinEastAfricaon25thJune,1961underthenameRoyalCollegeNairobiandwasadmittedintoaspecialrelationswiththeUniversityofLondonwhereuponitimmediatelybeganpreparingstudentsinthefacultiesofArts,ScienceandEngineeringforawarddegreesoftheUniversityofLondon.Meanwhile,studentsinotherfacultiessuchastheFacultyofSpecialProfessionalStudies(laterrenamedFacultyofCommerce)andFacultyofArchitecturecontinuedtoofferdiplomasforqualificationsofprofessionalbodies/institutions.
On20thMay1964,theRoyalCollegeNairobiwasrenamedUniversityCollegeNairobiasaconstituentcollegeofinter-territorial,FederalUniversityofEastAfrica,andhenceforththeenrolledstudentsweretostudyfordegreesoftheUniversityofEastAfricaandnotLondonaswasthecasebefore.In1970,theUniversityCollegeNairobitransformedintothefirstnationaluniversityinKenyaandwasrenamedtheUniversityofNairobi.
Inviewoftherapidexpansionandcomplexitiesinadministration,theUniversityunderwentamajorrestructuringin1983resultingindecentralizationoftheadministration,bycreationofsix(6)collegesheadedbyprincipals.Thefollowingarethenamesandrespectivelocationsofthecolleges:
1. CollegeofAgriculture&VeterinarySciencessituatedatUpperKabeteCampus
2. CollegeofArchitecture&EngineeringsituatedattheMainCampus3. CollegeofBiological&PhysicalSciencessituatedatChiromoCampus4. CollegeofEducation&ExternalStudiessituatedatKikuyuCampus5. CollegeofHealthSciencessituatedattheKenyattaNationalHospital6. CollegeofHumanitiesandSocialsciencessituatedattheMainCampus-
FacultyofArts;Parklands-FacultyofLaw;LowerKabeteCampus-FacultyofCommerce
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MapofEastAfricaregionandsurrounds
Source:extractfromUnitedNations,DepartmentofFieldSupport,GeospatialInformationSection,“Africa”,MapNo.4045Rev.8.1.,July2018,Fullmapavailable:http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/africa.pdf
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WorkshopformatTheworkshopwasstructuredintotwodays.ThefirstdaywasaForumwiththreesessionseachfeaturingapanelofpresentersfollowedbyQ&Awiththeaudience.Theseconddaywasaseriesofthreemasterclasssessionsfacilitatedbyexpertscoveringpolicywriting,researchcommunicationandgrantwriting.ThemasterclassesweredesignedtoprovideprofessionaldevelopmenttoPhDstudentsandearlycareerscholars,butallparticipantswereinvitedtojoinin.Day1Session1:KeyPolicyChallengesforSDGImplementationinEastAfrica.ThissessionfeaturedarangeofregionalpolicypractitionerswhorespectivelydiscussedsomeofthekeychallengestoSDGsimplementationintheEastAfricanregion,drawingontheirdifferentareasofwork,expertiseandexperience.Day1,Session2:TheRolesofCollaborativeResearchinSustainableDevelopmentinEastAfrica.ThissecondpanelfeaturedarangeofacademicsfromacrosstheWorldwideUniversitiesNetwork.TheyeachpresentedsomeoftheirresearchanddiscussedtheroleofresearchintheconceptualisationandimplementationofSDGs,includingopportunitiesforresearchcollaboration.Day1,Session3:TranslatingCollaborativeResearchonSustainableDevelopmentintoPolicyImpactinEastAfrica.Thisfinalsessionbroughttogetherapanelofacademicsandpractitionerstodiscussapproachesto,andexamplesof,buildingbetterlinkagesbetweentheacademicandthepolicyworldsinrelationtosustainabledevelopmentissuesintheregion.Day2,Masterclass1:Policywriting:Howtotranslateyourresearchintopolicybriefings.Thissession,facilitatedbyregionalpolicypractitioners,providedpracticaladviceonhowtowriteforpolicy-relatedaudiences.Thisassistedacademicsinthinkingabouthowtotranslatetheirscholarlyworkintopolicy-relevantforms,whichcaninturnenhancethewiderimpactofacademicresearch.Theinteractivesessionincludedanopportunityforparticipantstodiscusssomeaspectsofpolicywritingrelevanttotheirownresearchareas.Day2,Masterclass2:Researchcommunication:Howtocommunicateyourresearchviathemedia.Thissecondsession,facilitatedbyregionalmediaexperts,providedpracticaladviceoncommunicatingresearchtoawideraudiencethroughthemedia.Thiscantakeanumberofforms,includingTV,radio,print,onlineandviasocialmedia.Adviceincludedhowtotranslateyourworkintodigestibleformsforeffectivewiderconsumptionandhencebuildthevisibilityandimpactofyourresearch.Inthisinteractivesession,participantshadanopportunitytoconsiderthemediainrelationtotheirownwork.Day2,Masterclass3:Grantwriting:Howtotranslateyourresearchintofundingapplications.Thisfinalsession,facilitatedbygrantmanagersandsenioracademics,providedpracticaladviceonhowtoapproachandwritegrantapplicationtofundyourresearchprojects,whethersmallerorlargerinscale.Participantshadanopportunitytodiscusssomerelevantgrantschemes,suchastheWUNRDF,andtobegintothinkaboutdraftingapplications,buildingpotentialcollaborationswithotherparticipants.
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WorkshopProgramDay1Forum:Thursday29November2018Times SessionTheme Speakers8.30-9.00 Arrivalandregistration
9.00-9.15 Welcomeandintroduction
Prof.MaanoRamutsindelaandDrDavidMickler,GAGCo-Chairs;Prof.PeterMbithi,Vice-Chancellor,UniversityofNairobi
9.15-10.15 Session1:PanelofregionalpolicypractitionersKeyPolicyChallengesforSDGImplementationinEastAfrica
Chair:DrDavidMickler,UWASpeakers:
1. DrTilahunTemesgen,AfricanDevelopmentBankGroup,Nairobi
2. SenaitBerhane,UNAssistanceMissionforSomalia
3. DrBarbaraKing,SecondSecretary,Political,AustralianEmbassyAddisAbaba
4. TitusMaina,KenyaBusinessGuide
10.15-11.00
Q&Abetweenaudienceandpanel
MorningTea(11.00-11.30)Times SessionTheme Speakers11.30-12.30
Session2:AcademicpanelTheRolesofCollaborativeResearchinSustainableDevelopmentinEastAfrica
Chair:Prof.MaanoRamutsindela,UCTSpeakers:
1. Prof.JohnMuthama,UniversityofNairobi
2. Prof.SueParnell,UniversityofBristol(*viaSkype)
3. Prof.RobMarchant,UniversityofYork
4. DrIbrahimBedi,UniversityofGhana
5. Prof.FloridaKarani,UniversityofNairobi
12.30-1.30 Q&Abetweenaudienceandpanel
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Lunch(1.30-2.30)Times SessionTheme Speakers2.30-3.30 Session3:Mixed
academic/practitionerpanelTranslatingCollaborativeResearchonSustainableDevelopmentintoPolicyImpactinEastAfrica
Chair:DrSusanJim,BristolSpeakers:
1. DrGeorgeNyabuga,UniversityofNairobi,formerEditor,TheStandard
2. CharlotteMueller,MaastrichtUniversity
3. TigistGrieve,UniversityofBristol4. Prof.MaanoRamutsindela,
UniversityofCapeTown
3.30-4.30 Q&Abetweenaudienceandpanel
4.30-5.00 Day1ForumConclusions
DrDavidMickler,WUNGAGCo-Chair
Freetime(5.00-6.30)Times SessionTheme
6.30-9.00pm WorkshopdinnerNairobiSafariClubRestaurant
Workshophotelanddinnervenue:NairobiSarfariClub
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Day2Masterclasses:Friday30November2018Times SessionTheme Co-Facilitator(s)09.00-11.00
Masterclass1:PolicyWritingHowtotranslateyourresearchintopolicybriefingsLedbyregionalpolicypractitioners
1. DrAndrewMarriott,First
Secretary,AustralianHighCommissionNairobi
2. SahilShah,KenyaBusinessGuide3. YehualashetMekonen,African
ChildObservatory
Morningtea(11.00-11.30)Times SessionTheme Co-Facilitator(s)11.30-1.30 Masterclass2:Research
CommunicationHowtocommunicateyourresearchviathemediaLedbyregionalmediaexperts
1. MoinaSpooner,Commissioning
Editor:EastAfrica,TheConversationAfrica
2. DrJosephNyanoti,formerEditor,NationMediaGroup,JournalismLecturer,UnitedStatesInternationalUniversity,Nairobi
3. JamesMutua,JournalismLecturer,UnitedStatesInternationalUniversity,Nairobi
Lunch(1.30-2.30)Times SessionTheme Co-Facilitator(s)2.30-4.30 Masterclass3:GrantWriting
HowtotranslateyourresearchintofundingapplicationsLedbyseniorresearchmanagers
1. Prof.MadaraOgot,ActingDVC,
Research,Production&Extension,UniversityofNairobi
2. Prof.FlorettaBoonzaier,UniversityofCapeTown
3. DrSusanJim,Chair,WUNCoordinator’sGroup,UniversityofBristol
4.30-5.00 Workshopconclusions,actionsandnextsteps
Prof.MaanoRamutsindelaandDrDavidMickler,GAGCo-Chairs
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WorkshopFindingsandOutcomesFourmainoutcomeswereexpectedfromtheworkshop:
1. Therewillbedeepengagementbetweenpolicypractitioners,universityleaders,networkconvenors,academicsandpostgraduatestudentsonthreekeysetsofissues:
a. KeypolicychallengesforSDGimplementationinEastAfrica;b. TherolesofcollaborativeresearchinsustainabledevelopmentinEastAfrica;c. TranslatingcollaborativeresearchintopolicyimpactonSDGsinEastAfrica
2. Workshopparticipantswillbeprovidedwithprofessionaldevelopmentthroughexperttrainingtobuildcapacityinfourareas:
a. Collaborationbetweenacademicsandpolicypractitionersb. Policywritingc. Communicatingresearchviathemediad. Grantproposalwriting
3. Productionofthreetypesofoutputs:a. PolicybriefingpapersontheSDGsinEastAfrica:Thesewillbepublishedonthe
WUNGAGwebsiteandsenttotargetedpolicymakingbodies;b. Ajournalspecialissue/section:selectedcontributionstotheworkshopwillbe
publishedinaSpecialIssue/Sectionon“ImplementingtheSDGsinEastAfrica:Translatingcollaborativeresearchintopolicyimpact”inanacademicjournalbasedonthecontinent;
c. WUNResearchDevelopmentFundcollaborativegrantapplicationsinthe2019fundinground.
4. TheworkshopwillfurthersupporttheUniversityofNairobi’sroleastheEastAfricanregionalresearchhubanddeepenlinkagesbetweenWUNGAGandotherrelevantAfricanresearchnetworks.
Day1Forum:FindingsfromconcludingsessionParticipantswereaskedtogatherinsmallgroupsandspend15minutesdiscussingwhattheylearnedandtookfromthefirstdayoftheworkshop.Eachgroupthenrelayedthemostimportantfindingbacktothewholeworkshopgroupandthiswasrecorded.Belowisaselectionofresponses:
o Keypolicychallengesincludecapacitydeficitswithinorganisations,andareanissuefortheimplementationofSDGsintheregion;
o RoleofcollaborativeresearchonSDGsimplementationisimportant–LifeLongLearningmustbecontinuous;
o LocallanguagesarecriticalforachievingSDGs.Forexample,anideaaroseforapapertitled‘IntegratinglocallanguagesinSDGs’,suchasTanzanianlanguages.Thegovernmentdoesn’trecognisetheselanguages.TaskistodraftabriefinginMasterclasstomorrowtopushthegovernmenttoconsiderthis!duringthe
o SeeingAfrican“braindrain”asactuallyaninvestment!WhatdoesitmeantobeagloballymobileAfricanprofessionalnetworkingforsuccessfulachievementofSDGs?;
o Somalia–extentofchallengesfacingthiscountryandenormityofwhatneedstoputintoplace.DifficulttoseeachievementofSDGsinthecontextofconflictandinstability;
o Needfortheestablishmentofpolicyschools/entitiesatAfricanuniversitieswithpolicy-relatedresearchastheirfocus;
o KeypolicyprioritisationofworkinSDGs.Collaborationtobewell-defined,withcommongoalsandaccountabilityforwherethefundsaresourcesandspent;
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o MediaroleinachievingSDGsisimportantbutnoteffectivelyutilized,includingtobetteridentifyandmobilisefundsfortheregionalpriorityareasoftheSDGs;
o Importanceofcollaborationinrealandmeaningfulways,includingbringingincommunitiesweareworkingwithandforthroughparticipatoryresearchtechniques.
o Weneedtoalwaystakeacriticalapproachbyaskingquestionsuchas‘whoseagendasdrivetheSDGs?’Questionsabouttherolesoflanguagesandculturesandtheartsshouldalsobeasked.
o Needtorecognisethecomplexityofdevelopmentagendas,includingrelationshipsbetweenlocal,nationalandregionalagendasandthosebeingdrivenbyothersoutsideofAfrica;
o NegativestereotypingofAfricanandAfricans,drawingunwarrantedattentiontothedifficultwaysinwhichpeoplelive.Thiscanreproduceproblematicrepresentations.Needmorecriticalapproachtodevelopmentissues;
o Needforacademiatoensureandprovidemeaningfulevidenceforpolicymakerssothattheycanhittheirtargetandhelppeoplewhowillbeaffected.GenderissuesalsoneedtobeattheforefrontoftheSDGsintheregion;
o HowdowedrawsynergyinSDGstomakethemwork?Forexample,training,researchmobility,capacitybuilding.ExamplesincludecentresoftrainingfordiseaseinKenyaandalsoinChina;
o TacklingallSDGsisoverwhelming;perhapsweneedtoneedtofocusonpriorityareastohavemoreimpact?
Day2–FindingsfromMasterclasssessionsWhatisthekeyfindingorpointthatyoudiscussedinyoursmallgroup?
o Inordertohighlighttherelevanceofresearchtopolicymakers,weneedtoarticulatethemagnitudeofproblemandcontextualiseitinourresearch;
o Locallanguagepromotionisimportant–howdowedothis?Indigenouscentrescouldbesetuptoteachthese.HowcanpeoplewhodonotuseEnglisharticulatetheirissues?ThisarecriticalissuesforSDGimplementationintheregion;
o Weneedtoalwaysbeconsciousofwhoisimplementingthepolicy?Whoisfundingtheresearch?;
o Itmaybeveryusefultowork‘backwards’toengagestakeholdersattheoutsetofresearchtofacilitatebuy-in;
o Researchersshouldidentifywherethepolicygapsareandinformthemselvesbeforeengagingwithrelevantpolicyandotheractors;
o Inordertotackleproblemsfacingwomeninsmallbusiness,weshouldengagerelevantpolicymakersandstakeholderssuchastheministeroftradeandtransport,privatesector,others;
o Women’sempowermentfaceschallengesforpolicychange,includinginrelationtolackoffunds,negativeattitudesandopportunitiesforcollectiveaction;
o Akeychallengeforusingthemediatohighlightresearchfindingsisthatoftenthemediaandpoliticalsystemaretiedinwaysthatproducewhat’sintheinterestsofpoliticalpower.Isitbeneficialtothecommunity?Perhapsweshouldinsteadbypassthemediaandcommunicate/engagedirectlywiththeresearchusers;
o Weneedtoanalysenewsmediaitems,includingrecentexamplesfromKenya.Dotheypromoteissueofknowledgeorsomeothervalues?Dothemediacaresaboutwhatourpeopleconsume,witheritsnewsorknowledge?
o Benefitsofongoingcommunicationwithmediaoutletsandjournalists–canenhancerelationships,reducemisinterpretationandbuildcollaborationforbettersocialoutcomes.
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Samplesofpost-workshopfeedbackfromparticipants1.Towhatextentwastheworkshopthemerelevanttoyourwork/researchandtotheEastAfricaregion?“Theconferencethemewasveryrelevant.RealityofAidAfricaNetworkfocussesonresearchanalysisondevelopmenteffectivenessinAfrica.Wewerethereforekeeninknowinghowourresearchcanbetterimpactpolicyoutcomesintheregion.”“Toagreatextent,Irealizedtherelevanceoftheworkshopinthreekeyareas:researchproposaldevelopment,convertingmyresearchfindingstopolicyissuesandcommunicatingpolicyissuestoresponsibleauthorities.”“Theworkshopwas,unexpectedly,veryrelevanttomyworkonthinkingabouttheroleofthesocialsciencesinAfrica,especiallytowardstacklingtheSGDs.”2.ForumDay1:Werethesub-themesandstructureoftheForumonDay1effective?Wouldyouhavelikedtoseeanyotherthemesorpresentersincluded?“Thesubthemeswereeffective.Infutureitwouldbegoodtohavecivilsocietyorganizationsonthepanelaswehavedonealotofindependentresearchonvarioustopics.”“Yes,becausethefocuswasonSustainableDevelopmentGoals,andmyareaofresearchisonSDGNo.4.”“Themixofpresentersaroundspecificthematicareaswaswellplanned,effectiveandveryinformative.IfelttheywereusefulforthinkingcriticallyabouttheimplementationoftheSGDsinEastAfricabuttheyalsoprovidedcrucialcontextualinformationforthosenotfullyfamiliarwiththeissuesintheregion.”3.Towhatextentdidthisformatenableaproductivediscussionofresearch-policylinkagesinrelationtoimplementingtheSDGsinEastAfrica?“Iwouldsaytoalargeextent”“TheformatinitiatedinmythinkingthedesiretoconductmoreresearchthatisrelatedtopolicyissuesaffectingEastAfrica,withrespecttoimprovingqualityeducation,equalityofgenderanderadicatingpovertyanddiseases.”“Discussionwasveryproductiveandrelevantanditappearedthatmostattendeescouldfindsomemeaninginthepresentationsandthediscussionitraised.”4.MasterclassesDay2:wastheinclusionofMasterclasssessionsusefulinaworkshopsuchasthis?Ifso,why?
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“Theinclusionofmasterclasssessionswasimportantbecauseitchallengedmetoadoptcriticalthinkingwhenconductingaresearchpaperandthedimensionofresearchproposalwritingandfunding.”“Iwassurprisedbythehighattendanceinthemasterclasssessionsaswellasthelevelofparticipation–soIthinkthiswasaveryusefulinclusionintheprogrammeandwasobviouslyverynecessary.”5.Whatwerethemainbenefitsoftheworkshopforyou?“Opportunitiesfornetworking,informationsharingandaccess”“Knowledgeexpansion.Skillsincarryingoutresearch.Networkingandmakingfriends.DesiretocompleteaMaster’sdegreeandregisterforPhD,possiblyinaforeignuniversity.”“TheopportunitytonetworkwithcolleaguesatUoNandtomeetparticipantsinthenetwork.Theworkshopalsohelpedmegainasenseofwhatanetworklikethiscanaccomplishandwhatitspotentiallimitsmightbe.”6.Whatworkedparticularlywellattheworkshop?“Greatpanellists;wellinformedonissues,hadgoodcasesofpresentation.”“Timewaswellmanagedandallpresentationsperfect.”“Ithoughttheprogrammewaswellplannedandespeciallysuitedtheaimsoftheworkshop.”7.Whatdidn’tworksowellandcouldbeimprovedforfutureWUNGlobalAfricaGroupworkshops?“Involvecivilsocietymore.Havemoreprivatesectorengagement.Involvegovernmentministriesanddepartmentstoattend.Morebrandingandvisibility.”“Somedelegatesdidnotattendtheseconddayoftheworkshop.Thereshouldbeacommitmenttoattendallsessions.”8.DoyouhaveanyothersuggestionsforfutureWUNGlobalAfricaGroupworkshopthemes,formats,locations,etc?“Theorganisersdidagoodjobandshouldkeepitup.Thelocationforholdingtheworkshopshouldadopttheproposedrotationalsystem.”“Moreworkshopsonresearchdevelopment,eg.Writingforpublicationmightbesuitable.Itwouldalsobeusefultoconductworkshops/symposiawhereparticipantspresentsomeoftheworktheyareconductinginorderformemberstofindopportunitiesforcollaboration.”
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9.Spaceforanyfinalcomments“Theworkshopintroducedmetofurtherexperientiallearningwithrespecttothoroughresearch,presentationtechniques,though-provokingacademicengagementsandanopportunitytonetwork.Ilookforwardtothenextworkshop,andhopefully,Iwillbeinattendance.MayGodblesstheideabehindthisworkshopanditscontinuity.”“GreatworkshopthatIthinkwaswellreceivedbymostparticipants!”
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WorkshopParticipantsName Institution Email UoNorWUN
roleHOSTS
Prof.PeterMbithi
UNairobi [email protected] Vice-Chancellor
Prof.MadaraOgot
UNairobi [email protected] ActingDVCRPE;WUNCoordinator
EmmanuelGuantai
UNairobi [email protected] OfficeoftheDVCRPE
NyabokeOgeto
UNairobi [email protected]
OfficeoftheDVCRPE
CONVENORS
Prof.MaanoRamutsindela
UCapeTown [email protected] GAGCo-Chair
DrDavidMickler
UWesternAustralia
[email protected] GAGCo-Chair
WilnaVenter UCapeTown [email protected]
GAGCoordinator
DrSusanJim UBristol [email protected] Chair,WUNCoordinatorsGroup
PRESENTERS
DrTilahunTemesgen
AfricanDevelopmentBankGroup,Nairobi
SenaitBerhane
UNAssistanceMissiontoSomalia
DrBarbaraKing
AustralianEmbassy,AddisAbaba
TitusMaina KenyaBusinessGuide
Prof.JohnMuthama
UNairobi [email protected]
Prof.SueParnell*
UBristol [email protected] *viaSkype;IncomingGAGCo-Chair
Prof.RobMarchant
UYork [email protected] GAGSteeringCommittee
Prof.AndrewAdjei
UGhana [email protected] WUNCoordinator
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DrIbrahimBedi
UGhana [email protected] GAGSteeringCommittee
Prof.FloridaKarani
UNairobi [email protected]
DrGeorgeNyabuga
UNairobi [email protected]
CharlotteMueller
UMaastricht [email protected]
TigistGrieve UBristol [email protected] DrAndrewMarriott
AustralianHighCommission,Nairobi
SahilShah KenyaBusinessGuide
YehualashetMekonen
AfricanChildObservatory
MoinaSpooner
TheConversationAfrica
DrJosephNyanoti
USInternationalUniversity,Nairobi
JamesMutua USInternationalUniversity,Nairobi
Prof.FlorettaBoonzaier
UCapeTown [email protected] IncomingGAGCo-Chair
PARTICIPANTS
DrJosephMuniu
KenyattaUniversity
DrDianahNguiMuchai
KenyattaUniversity
MichaelMurigi
KenyattaUniversity
DrPeninahMwenda
InstituteofClimateChangeandAdaptation
ElsieMasava RealityofAidAfricaNetwork
DrDianaMochoge
AloiceOpiyoOnyango
UNairobi [email protected]
RoseMuiyuro UNairobi [email protected] AnneOketch UNairobi [email protected] DoreenKinya UNairobi [email protected] DrPhylistersMatula
UNairobi [email protected]
RosemaryMumaraki
UNairobi [email protected]
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JacobOmolo UNairobi [email protected] MaryWanyoike
UNairobi [email protected]
DrDanielGakunga
UNairobi [email protected]
Prof.LawalMarafa
ChineseUniversityofHongKong
IncomingGAGSteeringCommittee
DrMaggieOpondo
UNairobi [email protected]
DrOlufunkeAlaba
UniversityofCapeTown
NdiranguNgunjiri
UNairobi [email protected]
DrAndrewReichi
UNairobi [email protected]
DrCeciliaMbae
KenyaMedicalResearchInst.
AbdiimajidMunow
UNairobi [email protected]
DrJamesSpencer
UBristol [email protected]
DrJaneAmbuko
UNairobi [email protected]
EstherMujuka UNairobi [email protected] NoahNgetich UNairobi [email protected] PeninahYumbya
UNairobi [email protected]
ChepkemoiJaneth
UNairobi [email protected]
DrJoyKiiru UNairobi [email protected] Prof.AndrewDowsey
UBristol [email protected]
MartinMativo UNairobi [email protected] PejiLunyili UDaresSalaam [email protected] EvelynNganga UNairobi [email protected]