Project Report: Community Engagement in the Collaborative African Genomics Network (CAfGEN)
by Thato 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.
Project Report: Clinical and Genetic Studies of Hereditary Neurological Disorders in Mali
by Guida Landouré, Mesh Editorial TeamThis project used focus group discussions, individual interviews and community meetings to explore stigma around hereditary neurological diseases in Mali.
Project Report: The Genomics of Schizophrenia in South African Xhosa people (SAX) study
by Megan Campbell, Adele PretoriusThe Genomics of Schizophrenia in South African Xhosa People (SAX) study sought to identify genes or mutations underlying predisposition to schizophrenia in the South African Xhosa population. Engagement activities included a Community Advisory Board and a Mental Health Literacy Day.
Project Report: Exploring perspectives on genomics and sickle cell public health interventions in Cameroon
by Kengne Kamga Karen, Valentine Bitoungui, Abagma Mani, Meya Melanie, Ongey Foncham, Marsha Treadwell, Ambroise WonkamThis project used qualitative methods to gather an in-depth understanding of cultural influences on perspectives and attitudes regarding genomic research and public health interventions for Sickle Cell Disease-related complications in Cameroon
The Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) consortium's Community Engagement Working Group was established in 2015. They have developed preliminary Guidelines on CE to support genetics and genomics research
Report: Next Generation Biomedical Scientists (NGBS)
by Alice MutambiranwaThe NGBS was a nationwide programme in Zimbabwe engaging secondary school pupils in order to raise awareness on genomics technologies and careers in genomics technology. The project sought to inspire high school students to identify local health challenges, and through community engagement, originate research-based solutions.
Project Report UPDATE: Science, Art, Community: Building Interactive Understanding of Albinism in Tanzania
by Standing Voice, Mesh Editorial TeamStanding Voice is an organisation that works to support people with albinism in Tanzania. This article explores how one of their projects, which communicates facts about albinism through interactive performances, navigates the cultural complexity surrounding albinism in Tanzania.
mGenAfrica is an internet-based platform and mobile application designed to promote engagement between research staff in genomics and other health research fields with high school learners (16-19 year olds)
Project Report: TrypanoGEN
by Mesh Editorial TeamProject Report: Engagement in the H3Africa Consortium
by Mesh Editorial TeamThis article describes and provides the tools to use a card game developed to engage players with the genetics behind malaria susceptibility.
Guide/Project Report: A Question of Taste - Hands-on Demonstration of Genomics
by Mesh Editorial Team, Bella StarlingThis article introduces an activity designed to introduce people to key concepts in genomics.
Guide: San people of Africa code of ethics for researchers
by South African San InstituteA code of ethics created by the San people of Africa for researchers wishing to study their culture.
Art is a powerful medium for communication and engagement with science. To create a collaborative project that melds art with research creative practitioners and scientists must be brought together, but these individuals may think differently, have different priorities and work in different ways. This account of Genome Adventures, gives a little insight into the process of bringing different disciplines together and the challanges and benefits that result.