Factors affecting African postdoctoral researcher capacity development within ‘learn-by-doing’ international research partnerships: findings from the ‘Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control (PIIVeC)’

Amegee Quach, Jessica, Valea, Innocent, Bates, Imelda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199 and Pulford, Justin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-8480 (2023) 'Factors affecting African postdoctoral researcher capacity development within ‘learn-by-doing’ international research partnerships: findings from the ‘Partnership for Increasing the Impact of Vector Control (PIIVeC)’'. BMJ Global Health, Vol 8, Issue 9.

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Abstract

Introduction:
The Partnership to Increase the Impact of Vector Control sought to develop the research and leadership capacity of 10 African postdoctoral vector borne disease scientists via a ‘learn-by-doing’ approach. We identified factors that either supported or hindered their development and, drawing on this information, determined key lessons for future programmes with similar objectives.

Methods:
A longitudinal qualitative study encompassing focus group discussions and semi structured interviews conducted with the cohort of African postdoctoral fellows, programme leadership, supervisory and research support staff (N=28). Data analysis was informed by a general inductive approach.

Results:
Numerous supportive and hindering factors were identified. Supportive factors were primarily structural or attitudinal in nature, whereas hindering factors were primarily operational or contextual. None of the supporting or hindering factors were specific to vectorborne disease research. Four key lessons for future programme implementation emerged, including: the value in exposing postdoctoral fellows to a diverse work-mix and training-mix to improve understanding of the broad skillset needed for scientific career advancement; recognising and managing the potentially competing interests of different partnership members to ensure everyone benefits from participation; ensuring equity of opportunity and rewarding engagement; and ensuring flexibility in support provision.

Conclusion:
Our study highlights numerous factors that may be readily incorporated into early career researcher capacity strengthening initiatives based on a learn-by-doing approach. Many of these factors are supported by a growing weight of evidence and would be appropriate to research capacity strengthening programmes both within and outside of a vector borne disease context.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 650 Insect vectors
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012626
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	19 Sep 2023 13:15
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2023 13:15
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/23161

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