Project Report: Using ‘Magnet Theatre’ to engage public audiences with health research in coastal Kenya
by Gladys Sanga, Irene Jao, Joy Kiptim, Alun Iwan DaviesThis project reflection from KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya explains how they used Magnet Theatre to engage communities and what they learnt from the process
Guide: Ethical dimensions of community engagement and involvement in global health research
by Erica Nelson, Bridget Pratt, Dorcas Kamuya, Noni MumbaThis learning resource, from the UK's NIHR published in collaboration with the Institute of Development Studies, discusses the ethical dimensions to consider when engaging communities and involving patients in global health research. It was published in July 2021 reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Report on the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence's (SANTHE) COVID-19: where art and science meet project. The project, supported by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund in 2020, brought scientists and young African creatives together to explore the COVID-19 infodemic
Project Report: Women in STEM: A science mentorship program to inspire young women and girls in Malawi
by Halima Twabi, Mesh Editorial TeamIn this project in Malawi, funded by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, young women and girls were mentored by successful female scientists to encourage, support and inspire them to take careers in science.
Project Report: PowerPack of SuperScientists: Reframing gendered narratives to empower female scientists in South Africa
by Maphe Mthembu, Mesh Editorial TeamIn this project from South Africa, funded by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, SANTHE researchers were transformed into SuperScientists to empower female scientists and challenge gender narratives that block women’s career progression in science.
Project Report: Creative Arts and Social Inclusion: Engaging communities with substance misuse and HIV in Zimbabwe
by Clement Nhunzvi, Mesh Editorial TeamSubstance abuse and HIV are highly prevalent, complex and often misunderstood conditions among young people in Zimbabwe. Supported by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, Clement Nhunzvi and his team in Zimbabwe used a creative arts competition to engage school children (13-20 years) in social inclusion and stigma reduction when confronting substance abuse and HIV in the community.
Project Report: Science-2-Society: Raising future leaders in high schools in South Africa
by Lerato Ndlovu, Mesh Editorial TeamImmunologist Lerato Ndlovu shares her experience of using a play and career talks in a project, supported by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, to engage high school pupils in rural South African communities with research and increase their scientific understanding of TB and its treatment.
Project Report: Gown and Town: Increasing retention of high school students to improve adolescent health in Nigeria
by daisyolu, Mesh Editorial TeamIn this project, from the Institute of Child Health, University of Ibadan and funded by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, viewpoints were shared by adolescents and teachers through a photo exhibition to understand reasons behind high school dropout rates. A stakeholder forum was held to give students an opportunity to voice their experiences and to catalyse better support for high school enrolment and retention, enabling adolescents to make better decisions to improve their health.
Project Report: The Sickle Cell Heroes Comic Book: the patient’s perspective in Kenya
by Sophie Uyoga, Mesh Editorial TeamPatients with sickle cell disease and their families often face challenges due to a lack of understanding and stigma related to the disease in their communities. In this project, funded by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, a comic book of stories inspired by the experiences of children with SCD was made to raise awareness of SCD and the importance of research.
Project Report: The Silent Plague: raising awareness of antibiotic-induced hearing loss in Nigeria
by Adebolajo Adeyemo, Mesh Editorial TeamIn this article, Dr Adebolajo Adeyemo describes his community and public engagement project, supported by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, in which he aimed to raise awareness of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss through the creation of a Nollywood movie, in Nigeria.
Project Report: The Sciback-skit programme: Engaging young people as malaria ambassadors in Kenya
by Trizah Milugo, Mesh Editorial TeamIn this project from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya and funded by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, high school students were educated about malaria and scientific research, to inspire them to become ambassadors in their communities, and to go on to have careers in science.
Project Report: Scrutinized: Harnessing adolescence advocacy to end TB in Botswana
by Lucy Mupfumi, Mesh Editorial TeamThis project from Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, supported by the DELTAS Africa CPE Seed Fund, used storytelling and film to explore perceptions and attitudes to HIV/TB in schools in Gaborone, Botswana
Lifeology is an online platform and communication tool that engages broader audiences in science, health and research in a fun, accessible way. They do this via beautifully illustrated, science-backed, bite-sized “flashcard” courses.
Project Report: Community Engagement in the Collaborative African Genomics Network (CAfGEN)
by Thato Vinette Regonamanye, Dr. Mogomotsi MatshabaThe Collaborative African Genomics Network (CAfGEN) is a H3Africa affiliate and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study coordinated at Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence. This article describes their approach to community engagement.
Guide: Top Tips for Supporting Engagement through Seed Funding schemes
by Wellcome Africa & Asia Programmes, Mesh Editorial TeamThis guide is authored by public engagement staff across Wellcome Africa & Asia programmes and it shares their learning from setting up and running seed funding grant schemes to support engagement projects embedded in research
This report from the Wellcome Trust DBT India Alliance, published in May 2021, describes the results from an online survey carried out in 2020 looking at understanding of, participation in and attitudes towards engagement in their grantees
Guide: Essential Principles & Practices for GPP Compliance: Engaging stakeholders in biomedical research during the era of COVID-19
by Mesh Editorial TeamThis tool from AVAC in intended to help guide stakeholder engagement in COVID-19 research. Built from the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines for Biomedical HIV Prevention Trials (GPP), it responds to needs expressed by both researchers and advocates.
Guide: UNICEF Minimum Quality Standards and Indicators in Community Engagement
by Mesh Editorial TeamUNICEF C4D's Minimum quality standards and indicators in community engagement provide globally established guidance on the contribution of community engagement in development practice as well as humanitarian action.
Guide: WHO R&D Good Participatory Practice for COVID-19 clinical trials: a toolbox
by Mesh Editorial TeamThis toolbox was developed in 2020 for the World Health Organisation COVID-19 Research Roadmap and provides a synthesis of key action points from the WHO GPP-EP guidelines. This “how to” guide gives an overview, tips and resources and will be updated as new resources are completed and approved.
Policy Briefing: Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: ethical considerations
by Mesh Editorial Team, Nuffield Council on BioethicsThis policy briefing from The Nuffield Council on Bioethics sets out the key ethical considerations relevant to public health measures being introduced to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.