Research Capacity Building Research Articles

From development work to research publication: a case of Norwegian teacher educators developing research literacy

ABSTRACT The importance of research capacity-building in teacher education is highlighted to enable teachers to be change agents who continually develop their own and the school’s collective practices, which again presupposes that the teacher educators themselves are research literate. However, teacher educators come from different backgrounds and have varying levels of experience with conducting research. They are also often challenged by competing demands from teaching and conducting research. This article examines four teacher educators who conducted developmental projects in their program while simultaneously participating in a series of structured workshops in research methods and academic writing. The article reports on interview data and logs from the participants and investigates how the workshops contributed to their development of research literacy. The findings indicate that the participants required and appreciated the structured scaffolding they were given, and they highlighted the importance of positive group support. The participants also expressed that the workshops contributed not only to building capacity for conducting research for them individually but also for building research capacity within their home institutions. Implications for teacher education are discussed, and the authors argue that targeted and individualized support beyond what is currently the case might be needed.

A scoping review to identify barriers and facilitators of research participation among chiropractic faculty.

To describe peer-reviewed literature on chiropractic faculty participation in research and identify important barriers and facilitators. We conducted a scoping review using comprehensive searches of relevant databases from inception through November 2022. English language publications of any design were included, with search terms consisting of subject headings specific to each database and free text words related to chiropractic, faculty, and research. Primary and secondary reviewer teams performed article screening and data abstraction using Covidence software, with primary reviewers responsible for consensus. Data were entered into evidence tables and analyzed descriptively. A total of 330 articles were screened, with 14 deemed eligible including 8 cross-sectional/correlational studies and 6 narrative reviews/editorials. Article publication dates ranged from 1987 to 2017. No intervention studies were identified. Facilitators of chiropractic faculty research included research assignment as primary role, institutional culture promoting research, and dedicated release time. Barriers included teaching/clinic assignments, lack of incentives and mentorship, and teaching load. Qualitative results identified 5 domains impacting faculty research: demographics/professional roles; personal empowerment; research culture; institutional setting/policies; and research training. Our scoping review found a paucity of recently published articles on chiropractic faculty participation in research. Educational institutions building research capacity among chiropractic faculty must establish cultural environments where scholarship is expected, rewarded, and valued. Tangible support, such as research policies, resources, and space, advanced training, funding, and release time, must be available. Faculty are encouraged to build upon key facilitators, evaluate interventions to address barriers to chiropractic faculty research, and publish their results.

Experiences of inequality in international collaborative research – Perspectives from environmental and sustainability scholars from Ghana, West Africa

Global north and south research partnerships are essential for building research capacity in the global south and for generating new knowledge to address complex socio-environmental problems. However, insights from various disciplines, particularly global health research, suggest that north-south research collaborations often reproduce unequal power relations and outcomes. To mitigate these, some international funding organizations have produced guidelines that promote ethical practice in collaborative research. Despite these measures, significant gaps exist in understanding how the experiences and perspectives of Global South scholars, particularly those in the field of environmental sciences, shapes discourses on unequal north-south research partnerships and the ethical guidelines developed to address disparities. To bridge this gap, we conducted explorative qualitative research focused on understanding the experiences of environmental science and sustainability researchers from Ghana in international collaborative research. Our findings revealed a general optimism among scientists regarding the benefits of international collaborative for making impactful contributions in the global south, expanding professional networks, opening opportunities to publish in high impact journals and developing new research skills. At the same time, our findings also indicate that pervasive forms of inequality centered around lack of recognition, poor clarity of roles, disrespect, unequal resource sharing, poor communication, and non-adherence to contractual agreements persist. We contribute to the ongoing scholarly debate on research inequality by proposing a framework to guide the management, design, and implementation of north-south research partnerships. Our proposed framework serves as a starting point toward identifying potential unequal and unethical issues that often arise in north-south research partnerships.

Capacity Building in Research on Traditional Medicine: Experience of a Workshop Conducted under the Aegis of the Indian Council of Medical Research

Training healthcare professionals in research methodology is essential to promote research and innovation. This is particularly relevant in India, where there is a wealth of potential drug candidates from Indian Traditional Medicine (TM) systems that await exploration and scientific validation using modern medicine principles. Surprisingly, there is a lack of reported activities to train modern medicine practitioners in TM research in the literature. Recognising this need, a structured training program was planned and conducted under the auspices of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to train modern medicine practitioners in TM research. A survey was conducted among modern medicine practitioners to assess training gaps and identify key areas to be covered in the workshop modules. The workshop received a positive response, as evidenced by the numerous registration applications and positive feedback from participants. The present article shares the experiences of conducting the pilot workshop, which may serve as a valuable resource for planning similar workshops.

Donor Coordination and Evidence Uptake in Early Childhood Education Policy

ABSTRACT In this reflective piece, representatives of the agencies that funded and managed the Early Learning Systems Research program – the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the World Bank – take stock of recent global developments in research, policy, and financing by donors for early childhood education (ECE). A rapid increase in research on early childhood interventions has secured a consensus that in vesting in early matters for later outcomes in life. In recent years, development finance institutions have taken unprecedented steps to incorporate ECE into their policies and approaches, have helped build research capacity, and fostered communities of practice on ECE. Despite these developments, however, the share of official development assistance (ODA) for ECE remains extremely low. Limited prioritization of ECE by donors may be reinforced by a persistence of low demand for ECE financing from governments and differences in delivery mechanisms between ECE and other levels of education. The authors conclude with considerations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in increasing donor finance for ECE.

Building Research Capacity at FQHCs: A model of support from the All of Us Research Program – CORRIGENDUM

Building Research Capacity at FQHCs: A model of support from the All of Us Research Program – CORRIGENDUM

Advancing Public Health: The Latin American Coalition for Escherichia coli Research

The Latin American Coalition for Escherichia coli Research (LACER) is an interdisciplinary, collaborative initiative aimed at advancing the understanding of E. coli. LACER brings together researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals from various Latin American countries, in order to foster cooperation, the exchange of knowledge, and innovative research aimed at tackling the challenges posed by E. coli infection. Through a collaborative approach, LACER members engage in joint research projects, data sharing and capacity building activities. By promoting scientific dialogue and fostering international collaboration, the coalition seeks to enhance the region’s research capabilities, bridge knowledge gaps, and provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers and healthcare providers. LACER also plays a crucial role in raising awareness concerning E. coli infection, promoting educational and training programs, and advocating for improved surveillance systems and public health interventions. By actively involving stakeholders from academia, government agencies and the private sector, the coalition aims to promote a holistic approach to E. coli research and control in Latin America. Through its diverse membership and comprehensive approach, LACER strives to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies, with the ultimate goal of mitigating the impact of E. coli on public health and agricultural systems in Latin America.

The Role of NHRC in Regulating Health Research Ethics in Nepal: A Narrative Review

This study aims to chart Nepal's evolution of health research ethics over time and the role of the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) in its regulation. This narrative review article mentions the pervasiveness of contract research and the contribution of universities and international organizations in producing data and supporting pilot projects. It further highlights the structural inequalities and limitations of health research in Nepal, including lack of technology, infrastructure, funding, limited access to resources and global scientific networks. It discusses Nepal's emerging regulatory and ethical field, establishing the NHRC and developing ethical guidelines and review committees. The challenges faced by NHRC in terms of capacity and resources and the need to strengthen research ethics monitoring and compliance are also marked. This article also discusses several key challenges and areas of concern regarding research ethics and capacity building in Nepal's health research context. The conflicts arising from defining health research and determining which activities require ethical review are highlighted, especially about programmatic interventions and monitoring and evaluation exercises. The need for comprehensive mapping of health research activities is emphasized as an initial step toward understanding the research landscape. Additionally, issues related to timely ethical reviews, the co-investigator’s role, institutional research capacity, data ownership, publication practices, and the ethical considerations of health and development interventions are discussed. It emphasizes redressing these challenges and promoting responsible research practices in Nepal.

MEMBANGUN BUDAYA AKADEMIK DI SEKOLAH MENENGAH: INTERVENSI PELATIHAN PENULISAN ILMIAH DI KABUPATEN MAJENE

Scientific writing training for teachers in the district of Majene has been organized by the Postgraduate of Makassar State University as part of the Community Service (PKM). The activities are designed to empower teachers in developing and sharpening their skills in scientific writing, with the hope that this will have an impact on improving the quality of education and academic collaboration at the local level. Through a participatory approach, the training offers an interactive platform for teachers to learn the basics of scientific writing, receive direct feedback from sources, and collaborate with fellow participants. This interaction, which combines theory with practice, gives participants an in-depth understanding of the research, writing, and publication process. Furthermore, by leveraging the expertise of the source, participants gain insight into the standards and expectations of the wider academic community. The post-training evaluation showed rejoicing results. The majority of participants increased confidence in writing and felt better prepared to participate in academic discussions and contributions to scientific publications. This increase confirms the effectiveness of the training approach adopted. This initiative, apart from its success in improving teacher writing skills, also shows the great potential of collaboration between higher education institutions and secondary schools. With partnerships like this, there is an opportunity to boost innovation and sustainable capacity-building in education and research in Indonesia.

Guiding the emerging primary care researcher: A report of research capacity-building workshop.

There is an escalating interest in research capacity building across the globe. Research is an integral part of the continuous improvement process, clinical decision making and health system strengthening and should be embedded into the health system. TheSouth African Family Practice Journaleditorial team held a workshop on 19 August 2022 at the 24th National Family Practitioners Congress in Cape Town, with the aim of supporting primary care clinicians in their development from early-career researchers to established clinician-scientists. Small group and plenary discussions yielded valuable insights into the lived experiences of early career researchers and highlighted critical action areas to build the landscape of clinician-led research in the South African context.Contribution:This article contributes to current literature by providing insight into the lived experiences of early-career researchers and explores opportunities for research capacity-building.

Promoting research for the fragile Somali health system –

A 3-day conference was held in Garowe from the 30th of January to the 1st of February 2022 under the leadership of the Somali National Institute of Health to strengthen the foundation of health research in the country by promoting strategies for health research capacity building, sharing available evidence for action, and widening research collaborative networks. The conference was also instrumental in concretizing plans for improving the existing Somali Universities’ health research performance. It was jointly organized and supported by the National Institute of Health, the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the Somali Swedish Researchers’ Association, and a consortium of Somali and Swedish universities. The Puntland State Ministry of Health hosted the conference. This paper summarizes topics presented at the conference and identifies gaps and opportunities for research capacity strengthening in Somalia, which would generate evidence to inform public health policies. An Organizing Committee for the management and logistics of the conference and a Scientific Committee were established, the latter providing expertise in selecting key research topics and speakers/delegates for the conference. More than 180 participants from academic institutions and the health sector service delivery network attended the conference. Twelve panel presentations and 51 abstracts were delivered, covering health system research priorities. Of the 51 presented abstracts, 35% were on communicable diseases, 26% on reproductive maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, 24% were on the health system, and 16% on non-communicable diseases. The conference also highlighted the need to build research capacity to support researchers and institutions to strengthen their research skills, including research methodology, data analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing. Highly relevant findings were presented that had the potential to inform health policy and scale up the community-based health services towards Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals.

EIDM training as a key intervention among researchers to enhance research uptake and policy engagement: an evaluation study.

The Evidence Informed Decision Making (EIDM) field has evolved faster in the past decade. This progress shows a need for capacity enhancement amongst evidence producers and evidence users in EIDM training. Through the Enhance DELTAS programme, led by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), the project provided research uptake and policy engagement training, mentorship and webinars to awardees of the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science (DELTAS) Africa initiative, led by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). Two workshops were offered to individual early career DELTAS researchers in policy engagement and evidence uptake, referred to as ENHD101, and among research leaders to enhance institutional capacity on policy engagement and evidence uptake, (ENHD102). Overall, the programme attracted 31 early career researchers and 20 research leaders over the eight months of training, mentorship and webinars. Following the programme, the early career researchers understood the importance of EIDM for better health policies and programmes. In addition, the team appreciated the complexities of the policymaking processes as they developed the policy engagement strategy for their research. The implementation of the EIDM knowledge was reflected during the mentorship of research fellows with policy briefs as the end product. Notably, research leaders, appreciated their role in strengthening the capacity for EIDM in decision-making spaces. Although none of the research leaders participated in strengthening the capacity for EIDM during the programme, the team anticipated improving in the long run. In addition, the research leaders developed and implemented institutional strategies for policy engagement and research uptake through the use of social media to influence policymakers. In conclusion, the project supported the capacity building of African researchers in EIDM. It was evident that enhancing knowledge and skills on EIDM through an integrated approach to include training, mentorship, and webinars demonstrated enhanced capacity for policy engagement and evidence uptake.

Leveraging collaborative research networks against antimicrobial resistance in Asia.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health security threat requiring research collaboration globally and regionally. Despite repeated calls for international research collaboration in Asia, literature analyzing the nature of collaborative AMR research in Asia has been sparse. This study aims to describe the characteristics of the AMR research network in Asia and investigate the factors influencing collaborative tie formation between organizations. We carried out a mixed-methods study by combining social network analysis (SNA) and in-depth interviews. SNA was first conducted on primary data to describe the characteristics of the AMR research network in Asia. Exponential random graph models (ERGMs) were then used to examine the influence of factors such as organization type, country affluence levels, regional proximity and One Health research on collaborative tie formation among organizations. In-depth interviews were conducted with network participants to provide contextual insights to the quantitative data. The results reveal that the research network exhibits a core-periphery structure, where a minority of organizations have a significantly higher number of collaborations with others. The most influential organizations in the network are academic institutions from high-income countries within and outside Asia. The ERGM results demonstrate that organizations prefer to collaborate with others of similar organization types, country-based affluence levels and One Health domains of focus, but also with others across different World Health Organization regions. The qualitative analysis identified three main themes: the challenges that impede collaboration, the central role of academic institutions, and the nature of collaborations across One Health domains, giving rise to important empirical milestones in understanding AMR research in Asia. We thus recommend leveraging academic institutions as "integrators" to bridge differences, increasing funds channelled towards research capacity building to alleviate structural barriers to collaboration, streamlining collaborative mechanisms to overcome cumbersome administrative hurdles, and increasing efforts to establish trust between all organizations.

Assessment of Higher Education Programmes for Enhancing the Postgraduate Community

This article assesses the higher education research capacity building programmes designed to enhance the postgraduate community and scholarly publishing. Post-graduate studies are potential components for promoting knowledge, increasing institutional outputs. Post-graduate studies are likely to create research profile for students who seek future academic appointments. In spite of that higher institutions in low-income countries face serious challenges in building research capacity. This is compounded by local institutional competition for rankings and ratings. To some extent, investments in research usually take a long time before leading to demonstrable results. Yet again postgraduate students across disciplines feel pressure to publish their scholarship and remain unsure partly due to a lack of explicit training. Once more part of academic written output remains unpublished resulting to grey literature. Publishing requires a cocktail of skills in practical activities, and a broad awareness of theoretical/academic developments and trends. A large number of agencies evolved to offer programmes with the aim to expand research capacity in certain kinds of institutions. Institutions hold opposing mechanisms for supporting and sustaining research capacity among postgraduate students. A desk study approach is considered to collect data. Desktop study reviewed the key strategies, models for building postgraduate research capacity and programmes designed for increasing postgraduate scholarly publishing among the South African universities. The research reveals that the Cooke’s framework potentially offers a mechanism to contribute to the realisation of the research capacity building goals. A set of recommendations are offered for programme improvement.

Successful Recruitment of Low‐income and Minority Patients in the Southern United States: Implementation of Intensive Blood Pressure Control to Slow Cognitive Decline (IMPACTS‐MIND) Trial

AbstractBackgroundBlack communities, low‐income populations, and those living in the stroke belt bear a disproportionate burden of dementia and are underrepresented in previous trials on preventing cognitive decline and dementia. Improved methods to implement interventions to slow cognitive decline and reduce health disparities are needed. The Implementation of Multifaceted Patient‐Centered Treatment Strategies for Intensive Blood Pressure Control to Minimize Cognitive Decline (IMPACTS‐MIND) trial is testing a multifaceted strategy for implementing an intensive blood pressure (BP) intervention protocol on cognitive decline in racial minority and low‐income hypertensive patients in primary care.MethodThe IMPACTS‐MIND study is a cluster‐randomized trial in 10 primary care organizations with 40 clinics in Louisiana and Mississippi. The included organizations predominantly treat low‐income and minority patients, and 9 of the organizations (with 36 included clinics) are federally‐qualified health centers (FQHCs). We are recruiting a goal of 1,260 patients who are at least 40 years of age (2/3s over age 60 years) with have uncontrolled systolic BP. Recruitment has been conducted in partnership with primary care organizations. Using electronic health record systems, potentially eligible patients based on BP are contacted via a letter and phone call to assess willingness and preliminary eligibility. Provider and staff referrals are also encouraged and incentivized.ResultWe have enrolled 581 participants in the study to date. Participants are an average of 63.0 years of age, 68% are Black, and 59% are female. More than 60% have a high school education or less, and 72.8% have an annual household income <$25,000. Over 44% have diabetes, 28.9% depression, and mean body mass index of 33.6 kg/m2. Mean baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score is 19.7. Successful recruitment of low‐income and minority participants has hinged on strong relationships with primary care partners through study steering committee membership for each organization and state FQHC organizations, manuscript co‐authorship for all members, monthly meetings to support study conduct, and building research capacity and opportunities for partnering organizations.ConclusionEffectively recruiting low‐income and minority patients is possible through partnership with primary care providers who treat these patients. Building relationships with these organizations around common interests and priorities is critical to effective recruitment.

Abstract A049: Community partnership to empower Black men to drive research to identify barriers to prostate cancer early detection and equitable care

Abstract Introduction: Black men have a two-fold higher rate of prostate cancer death in the US compared with other men, the largest racial inequity in US cancer-related deaths. Annual PSA testing among Black men starting at age 45 years would reduce mortality compared with current screening practices. However, the US Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines do not make screening recommendations specifically for Black men. Black men comprised only 0-3% of practice-informing PSA screening trial cohorts. Given the burden of prostate cancer among Black men, capacity must be built to empower Black men and their communities to develop and execute clinical trials that may provide guidance on early detection strategies. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews to examine prostate cancer screening access among Black men in the Pacific Northwest, and we surveyed primary care physicians (PCPs) and urologists in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) region to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices about prostate cancer screening. Interviews were recorded and transcribed; consensus coding and thematic analysis were used to identify structural barriers associated with screening access. Anonymous online surveys were distributed to physicians via email using REDCap. Results: 29 men participated in semi-structured interviews. We identified three equity-related barriers related to prostate cancer screening access: (1) lack of information on the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening, (2) lack of PCP knowledge about prostate cancer disparities confronted by Black men, and (3) lack of trusted relationships with PCPs to support shared decision-making about prostate cancer screening. 32 urologists and 31 PCPs completed the survey. Nearly all urologists and PCPs were aware of the 2018 USPSTF guidelines regarding PSA testing (93.8% and 96.7%, respectively). 75% of urologists and 6.5% of PCPs agreed that PSA testing can significantly reduce prostate cancer mortality. Conclusion: Findings from the survey support the perception reported by interviewees that there is variation in knowledge and support for prostate cancer screening for early detection of prostate cancer among Black men. Our combined findings further demonstrate that (1) Black men have unique needs around early detection of prostate cancer and (2) patient partnerships can identify these areas of need and best inform patient-centered design of practice-changing research studies. Future Directions: With funding from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute we will apply these findings by (1) building engagement and research capacity among a cohort of Black men with a history of prostate cancer and their advocates, (2) identifying community derived research priorities around the early detection of prostate cancer in Black men, and (3) developing a research agenda to inform future large, patient-centered, comparative effectiveness clinical trials in early detection of prostate cancer in Black men. Citation Format: Jenney R. Lee, Dante' Morehead, Ben Young, Victor Tolbert, John Masambe, Garrett Britt, Lars Neuenschwander, Kyle Schuppe, Richard Pelman, Debi Johnson, Sung Min Kim, Erika M. Wolff, John L. Gore, Yaw A. Nyame. Community partnership to empower Black men to drive research to identify barriers to prostate cancer early detection and equitable care [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A049.

Training and Accompaniment Model for Expanding ADRD Research in LMICs – The Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health Experience

AbstractBackgroundOften, global health programs are designed to train individuals from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) with training provided in more resourced regions. Subsequently, the trainees return to their home community with limited additional resources. When research is funded, capacity‐building is rarely prioritized and partnership for core administrative and study management needs is absent. A program of ‘accompaniment’ where programs partner with trainees after their training period is less frequent and could alter the landscape of research capacity building for dementia.MethodsThe Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program provides both a one‐year in‐residence learning experience and seeks to accompany fellows as they return to their home community. Resources and activities in the post‐training period include funding for small pilot projects, networking and community building, training in grants management, support for logistic and administrative activities related to grants, partnering with grant and manuscript writing and assistance with data collection and management.ResultsOver seven years, Atlantic Fellows have received 137 Pilots Awards ($25k each) for activities in 41 countries. Many of these awards serve as launching pads for future funding. For example, the Multi‐Partner Consortium for Dementia Research in Latin America (ReDLat) grew out of a Pilot awarded to an Atlantic Fellow from Latin America uniting 14 research centers across six Latin American countries aiming to identify the unique genetic and social determinants of health that drive Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Work is underway and includes prominent capacity building activities with more than $12M in committed from global partners. More than 1454 individuals have been enrolled. Eleven Atlantic Fellows are directly involved in the project. Other examples include work in Brazil that has now been transformed into US National Institutes of Health funding. New work is currently launched in East Africa leading to competitive research applications under review.ConclusionsAn intentional model of accompaniment can achieve substantial impact on dementia research in LMICs.

University consortium to address public health priorities and research capacity building in the Caribbean

The State University of New York (SUNY) – University of the West Indies (UWI) Health Research Consortium (HRC) was implemented in 2015 by the SUNY Global Health Institute (GHI) and the SUNY-UWI Center for Leadership and Sustainable Development. The goal was to advance public health in the Caribbean through collaborative research and education among faculty and students at SUNY and UWI. The Consortium is now a dynamic matrix addressing health priorities that were initially agreed upon with the Jamaica Ministry of Health and Wellness. The HRC has built a foundational matrix that is planning for cutting edge laboratory instrumentation, biomedical informatics system, seamless electronic medical records network, national laboratory data management system, and novel biotechnology (e.g., robotic surgery cluster). The SUNY-UWI partnership fills existing gaps through collaborative programs with the SUNY GHI that facilitate UWI faculty interactions with SUNY faculty and core resources and incubators that encourage collaborations while UWI infrastructure expands. The Health Research Consortium utilizes existing academic models at UWI and SUNY to promote collaboration, capacity building, and program implementation. Consortium teams develop sound business development models that foster sustained economic growth and form the pipeline for workforce development and career opportunities. The Caribbean diaspora and UWI alumni are engaged in working together on this effort. In addition, mentoring in K-12 and beyond is needed to create a vision for the next generations.

Research-to-policy Partnerships for Evidence-Informed Resource Allocation in Health Systems in Africa: An Example Using the Thanzi Programme

ObjectivesEmpirical data on the impact of research-to-policy interventions are scant, with the few attempts mainly focusing on ensuring policymakers’ timely access to evidence and evidence-informed dialogs. MethodsThis article reflects on how the Thanzi Programme cultivates an approach of research-to-policy engagement in health economics. The program is structured around 3 interrelated pillars comprising research evidence generation, capacity and capability building, and research-and-policy engagement. Each pillar is described and examples from the Thanzi Programme are given, including illustrating how each pillar informs the other. Limitations and challenges of the approach are discussed, with examples of a way forward. ResultsThis program supports health system strengthening through addressing gaps identified by program partners. This includes providing health economics training and research and strengthened partnerships between in-country researchers and health policymakers, as well as between national and international researchers. Platforms bringing together researchers and policymakers to shape the research agenda, disseminate evidence, and foster an evidence-based dialog are institutionalized at country and regional levels. Health Economics and Policy Units have been established, which sit between the Ministries of Health and Universities, to augment policymakers and health economics researchers’ engagements on priority health policy matters and determine researchable policy questions. The establishment of the Health Economics Community of Practice as a substantive expert committee under the East Central and Southern Africa Health Community bolsters the contribution of health economics evidence in policy processes at the regional level. ConclusionsThe Thanzi Programme is an example of how a research-and-policy partnership framework is being used to support evidence-informed health resource allocation decisions in Africa. It uses a combination of high-quality multidisciplinary research, sustained research and policymakers’ engagement and capacity strengthening to use research evidence to guide and support policy makers more effectively.

Service mega-disruptions: a conceptual model and research agenda

PurposeThis paper aims to formally conceptualize service mega-disruptions as any far-reaching and unforeseen general environmental stressor or threat that impacts a service organization’s ability to provide a desired level of service. The authors differentiate sudden large-scale general environmental threats from traditional service failures in scope and scale of impact via number of customers and sectors affected and duration and speed of the disruption.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws from service recovery theory to build a conceptual model of service mega-disruptions. The resulting conceptual model maps service failure recovery strategies against a service mega-disruption recovery approach to examine consumer response to changes in service value. This work further articulates additional research needs including conceptualization, measurement and methods as traditional drivers of service recovery and the value of the service experience change in response to service mega-disruptions.FindingsThis work proposes a research agenda to investigate whether service mega-disruptions can bypass the need for service recovery due to a consumer self-moderating process. As past research shows, the less control a service provider has over a failure, the more customers attribute fault to the situation and transfer blame away from an organization. This paper suggests that this self-moderating process disrupts the need for service providers to court forgiveness for a failure with perceptions of similarity and controllability providing an alternate pathway to customer forgiveness. Similarly, it is suggested that service mega-disruptions play a role in transforming service ecosystems into tighter, more contractual systems with less agency for service providers and poorer ability to adjust to market conditions. The duration and longevity of effects on service providers’ control, agency and ability to adjust following a service mega-disruption must be researched further.Originality/valueThis paper builds theory to develop a conceptual model of service mega-disruptions and their role in customer engagement and reshaping the service ecosystem. This paper culminates in the proposition of a research agenda that aims to build research capacity among services marketing scholars as service providers’ coordination and market conditions are challenged by service mega-disruptions.