Fig:ARIN and University of Illinois’ LEAM LAB

By Florence Onyango and Rosemary Mwende

The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) and the University of Illinois’ LEAM LAB held a collaborative meeting on January 10, 2025, at ARIN’s Nairobi offices to explore joint initiatives aimed at strengthening research capacity and impact in Africa. Key stakeholders discussed strategies to address systemic challenges in academia and advance evidence-informed decision-making.

A central focus of the meeting was supporting early-career researchers (ECRs). Participants explored ways to help ECRs overcome the funding-publication gap, a significant barrier to academic and professional growth. The teams also discussed opportunities for fostering innovation, capacity building, and cross-cultural learning, including the development of joint courses and targeted workshops to promote impactful research.

ARIN was represented by Akinyi Eurallyah, Dr. Humphrey Agevi, Ezekiel Gordon, and Rosemary Mwende. Patrick Sullivan represented LEAM LAB.

The meeting identified key challenges, including limited funding access for ECRs, systemic issues within the funding-publication cycle, and concerns regarding data governance, specifically accuracy, reliability, and ethical data use.

Despite these challenges, participants recognized significant opportunities for strengthening strategic partnerships, enhancing global research exchange, and advancing capacity building for researchers and knowledge brokers. Both ARIN and LEAM LAB committed to developing mentorship programs, organizing joint workshops, and implementing initiatives to bridge funding gaps and enhance research capacity in Africa.

This meeting marks a crucial step toward a sustainable research collaboration between ARIN and LEAM LAB. The partnership aims to equip researchers with the tools and opportunities needed to address regional and global challenges through innovative, evidence-based, and equitable solutions.