Event Details

This webinar will explore the RECIRCULATE project's research outputs and impact for sustainable development, with showcases from our postgraduate researchers.

One of the biggest challenges that Sub-Saharan African universities and research organisations face is the huge gaps between academic research, the private sector/industry and government. By geographical and operational disposition, African universities and research organizations seem cut off from industry and this has affected its relevance, capacity to produce high quality and employable graduates and the capacity to produce goods and services that solves practical challenges in the society.

There is no arguing that huge gaps exist between scientific research and the impact of research in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This provides an urgent need to design policy tools, knowledge transfer programmes and pathways-to-impact models that ensures a new era of impact-oriented research and innovation in African countries. At the heart of this, is the need for strategic equitable partnerships and collaboration strategies for societal transformation. However, it also requires for research to be co-designed with impact in mind from the onset which in itself requires a total paradigm shift.

An important question is why African academics and researchers do not think of the impact of their research. Is it because they operate in different worlds with little or no mutual interests with research users? Is it because there are no industry partners for them to collaborate with in the first place? Or is it just a question of institutional or societal challenges that makes research focused on just investigation? It is becoming clear that there are mutual interests and there are industry partners to collaborate with especially when most universities would usually have between 100 and 1000 SMEs within and outside the campus within a kilometre radius. Also, it is not difficult to find a good profile of stakeholder communities who are potential beneficiaries of university research.

As Sub-Saharan Africa witnesses an increase in private sector investment, technological development and industrialization across a wide range of sectors, there is need for national policy level discussions on sustainable strategic partnership models that consider equity, fairness and sustainability. Currently, global models show that African universities and research organisations can be ‘anchors’ for co-designing and supporting impact-oriented, research-driven eco-innovation partnerships which ultimately deliver “sustainable solutions”. Universities can also play the key role in delivering the high level (graduate/post-graduate) training that is essential to drive forward eco-innovative policies, products and services. The ultimate question now is - has the RECIRCULATE and ACTUATE Projects influenced the research agenda of young and early career researchers in Africa and what has been their experiences? This webinar would try to highlight the key outputs of research and its impact and potential legacy in Africa.

The objectives of this International Partnership webinar therefore include:

1. Highlighting the objectives and progress of the UK Government funded Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) 7 Million Pounds RECIRCULATE and the 800,000 Pounds ACTUATE Project and the projects progress so far in Africa especially as it officially comes to an end.

2. Exploring the challenges and opportunities for ‘effective, equitable and sustainable research that drives impact on societies in Africa and internationally.

3. Highlighting specific research outputs worthy of note from the perspectives of early career researchers and post-graduates who are the future of the African continent.

4. Providing an opportunity for further engagement with current and new stakeholders in different African countries for future collaborations, investments and development work.

Brief Programme

10.00 – 10.05 Introduction of Participants/Stakeholders (Moderated by Dr. Akanimo Odon Lancaster University, UK)

10.05 – 10.15 Introduction to RECIRCULATE/ACTUATE Projects – Prof Kirk Semple, Director RECIRCULATE/ACTUATE

10.15 – 10.30 Research Outputs and Impact – SETS – Anthony N-Yelkabong, Lancaster University Ghana

10.30 – 10.45 ‘Research Outputs and Impact – Water and Sanitation – Esther Agyabeng Fofie Research Scientist - CSIR Ghana

10.45 – 11.00 Stakeholder Interaction (some questions on mentimeter)

11.00 – 11.15 ‘Research Outputs and Impact – Bioenergy Production- Newton Ihoeghian – University of Benin Nigeria

11.15 – 11.30 ‘Research Outputs and Impact – Agricultural Production” – Ifeyinwa Valerie Ofilli Senior University of Benin Nigeria

11.30 -11.45 Stakeholder Interaction (some questions on mentimeter)

11.45 – 11.50 Conclusion/Wrap Up