1. Professor Tumani Corrah CBE, PhD, FRCP, PWACP. Director, Africa Research Development, Medical Research Council UK & Emeritus Director, MRC Unit, The Gambia Building a better future for research excellence & impact in Africa

2. Where we were 2 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

3. The burden of Infectious diseases is greatest in sub-Saharan Africa. World Health Organization, The Global Burden of Disease 2004 Update, Geneva: 2009 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world 3

4. Biomedical Sciences Professional Development Pathway LAB ASSISTANT FSc LAB TECHNOLOGIST BSc OR HND SCIENTIFIC OFFICER MSc HIGHER SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (HSO) PhD SNR SO POSTDOC SENIOR SCIENTIST SENIOR SCIENTIST BSc Fel- low- ship PI PhD MSc Top school leavers UK style fast-track Workplace development & progression Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world 4

5. Out of control? Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world 5

6. 1. Few African scientists leading research in Africa Challenges “The number of scientific papers produced by Africans has tripled in the past decade, to over 55,400 in 2013, according to Reed Elsevier… That still only accounts for 2.4% of the world’s total, but is quite a jump. The quality is rising too.” The Economist http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21611112-scientific- research-africa-gathering-momentum-rise 6Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

7. 2. Challenges for institutional leaders To sustain internationally competitive, cost effective centres of scientific excellence on the continent To empower African scientists to develop and lead these centres To further develop African scientists to win international, competitive grants To be scientifically productive 7 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

8. 3. Challenges for ambitious early-career African researchers Lack of national research funding systems Weak university commitment, capabilities & culture to lead research Northern institutions are often more attractive Few opportunities ‘at home’ Increasing scale & complexity of research – data, partnerships: interdependence 8 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

9. To sum up Leadership Career opportunities Institutions (or Environment) 9 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

10. Our Mission The Vision for Africa Research Development 10 In 10 years: World-class African scientists leading global health research in Africa – for Africa Transformation through investment, collaboration and partnerships In 10 years: World-class African scientists leading global health research in Africa – for Africa Transformation through investment, collaboration and partnerships Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

11. Our Mission 11 AREF = New donors TRADITIONAL = Established funders Developing leadership Career development Stronger institutions Developing leadership Career development Stronger institutions Two regional hubs, E&W Regional partnerships Two regional hubs, E&W Regional partnerships 1. Attract new funding 2. Distinctive value- adding program 3. Complement & integrate In 10 years: World-class African scientists leading global health research in Africa – for Africa Transformation through investment, collaboration and partnerships In 10 years: World-class African scientists leading global health research in Africa – for Africa Transformation through investment, collaboration and partnerships Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

12. Our Mission 12 Achieving strategic influence & organisational excellence Postdocs: Seed funds, Fellowships  mentors,+ cohorts  impact Management excellence to attract & manage big funding 1. Institutional leaders of today 2. Research leaders of the future 4. Quality research administration In 10 years: World-class scientists leading global health research in Africa Transformation through collaboration In 10 years: World-class scientists leading global health research in Africa Transformation through collaboration Technologies, big data, bio- medical engineering, clinical 3. Technical excellence Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

13. Our Mission 13 2. Distinctive value- adding program Institutional leaders of today Research leaders of the future Technical excellence Quality research administration AREF Programme Enabling people & institutions to excel Transformation through investment, In 10 years: World- class African scientists leading global health research in Africa – for Africa collaboration and partnerships Transformation through investment, In 10 years: World- class African scientists leading global health research in Africa – for Africa collaboration and partnerships Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

14. Our Mission 14 Two regional hubs in Africa 3. Build on MRC strengths MRC The Gambia MRC/UVRI Uganda In 10 years: World-class scientists leading global health research in Africa Transformation through collaboration In 10 years: World-class scientists leading global health research in Africa Transformation through collaboration Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

15. Travel fellowships Competitive seed funds Intensive courses – Advanced, e.g. biostats – Basic, e.g. epidemiology Researcher development – Leadership & management – & 1:1 coaching E-learning – Live video-linkage – Web-based resources Connections to excellence – Cohorts & networks – Specialist expertise – Role models & mentors Research leaders of the future Enhancing learning, development, impact & careers Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world 15

16. Case for start up funding Unmet need Operational capability Early benefits Value of partnerships 4 “success” features we need to demonstrate to potential donors Postdocs: Seed funds, Fellowships  mentors & cohorts  impact Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world 16

17. Accountable & transparent Responsive & participatory Equitable & inclusive Efficient & effective Legal & ethical Good governance is essential to achieving excellence and impact in research 17 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

18. Good governance is essential to excellent research - - by Africa, for Africa Accountable & transparent Responsive & participatory Equitable & inclusive Efficient & effective Legal & ethical Individual scientists Committee Communities Partnerships Governments International & non- governmental organisations 18 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

19. Capacity: next generation researchers Accountability: research funding decisions Ethics & responsiveness: community engagement Quality standards: partnerships & training Accountability & responsiveness: government engagement Effective impact: international policy engagement Good governance is essential to excellent research - - by Africa, for Africa Accountable & transparent Responsive & participatory Equitable & inclusive Efficient & effective Legal & ethical 19 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

20. Let’s transform African science: Low-value extraction  high-value knowledge  socioeconomic impact Primary production of samples & data Adding value through analysis & interpretation Leading policy 20 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

21. Let’s transform African science: From a “cocoa bean” research economy  high-value products  socioeconomic impact Primary production of samples & data Adding value through innovation & manufacture Generating profit 21 Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world

22. Ebola – a learning curve??? Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world 22

23. 23 First MRC/LSHTM West African Postdoctoral Fellow The future Leading scientific research to save lives and improve health across the developing world