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How research consortia can contribute to improvements in PhD students' research environment and progress in sub-Saharan African countries version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review
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How research consortia can contribute to improvements in PhD students' research environment and progress in sub-Saharan African countries version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review
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Journal Article
How research consortia can contribute to improvements in PhD students' research environment and progress in sub-Saharan African countries version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review
2024
Overview
Background
The Africa Capacity Building Initiative (ACBI) programme aimed to 'strengthen the research and training capacity of higher education institutions and support the development of individual scientists in sub-Saharan Africa through UK-Africa research collaborations' including by funding PhD studentships. We conducted research to understand students' experiences and to see how consortia-based programmes such as ACBI and their own institutions can enhance PhD students' research environment and progress.
Methods
In-depth interviews with 35 ACBI-funded PhD students explored their perspectives about how their research and personal development benefitted from belonging to a research consortium. Questionnaires were used to corroborate interview findings.
Results
Students recognised that membership of a research consortium provided many benefits compared to less well-resourced peers. By drawing on the programme and consortiums' resources, they were often able to overcome some limitations in their own institution's systems and facilities. Through their consortia they could access a wide range of international expertise and support from mentors and colleagues for their technical and psychosocial needs. Multiple consortia opportunities for engaging with the international scientific community and for networking, gave them confidence and motivation and enhanced their career prospects.
Conclusion
Our study and its recommendations highlight how the breadth and diversity of resources available to PhD students through research consortia can be harnessed to facilitate students' progress and to create a supportive and conducive research environment. It also underlines how, through a multi-level approach, consortia can contribute to longer-term improvements in institutional research environments for PhD students.
Publisher
F1000 Research Limited,F1000 Research Ltd
