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DRECA
Developing Research Capacity among African Scientists: DRECA
Launched in January 2010, this 3-year collaborative project aimed to strengthen the scientific capacity and outputs of African institutions and research biologists. Over the three year period, the Tropical Biology Association and its partners delivered tailor-made training workshops in fundraising, scientific proposal writing, research design and publishing results. Participants in the workshops, who were early career scientists, were selected through an open application process. Follow-up support offered and a mentoring network established after the workshops ensured that new skills will be put into practice for a long time to come. The project has undoubtedly made an important contribution to Africa's Consolidated Science and Technology Plan of Action, one of whose goals is to ensure that Africa contributes to the global pool of scientific knowledge.
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| DRECA is a project that was funded by the EU's ACP Science and Technology Programme; A Programme of the ACP Group of States, with the financial assistance of the European Union. Contract no. FED/2009/218783 |
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The DRECA project is now closed. Below are some of the reports from the very successful workshops series...
2012 workshops series— Effective Teaching Strategies for Biological & Environmental Scientists
This Training of trainers (ToT) workshops series was held in East and West African regions. The workshops aimed to build the capacity of East and West African biologists to become effective trainers able to play an active training role at their institutions. Specifically, the workshops provided teaching skills and supportive training materials necessary for participants to become successful trainers back at their home institutions and catalysed links between educators in biology and environment nationally and internationally. The workshops targeted trainers actively involved in teaching biology and related fields preferably at graduate level, in universities, research institutes, NGOs and government departments. The workshops enhanced participants' capacity in transferring knowledge and skills in biodiversity research and conservation to other members of staff internally without the need for external expertise. Much of the teaching was interactive, involving role playing and group discussions, and trainees were given feedback on key aspects of effective teaching strategies. Follow-up support provided after the workshop ensured that new ideas learned are put into practice. |
• Kampala, Uganda: 18-20 Aug 2012
[View report] |
| Thirty-two (32) conservation scientists, researchers and managers working for twenty-nine (29) government, research and academic institutions, and NGOs in Africa were trained. |
2012 workshops series— designing research projects in the field
The workshops in 2012 aimed to fill the skills gaps that were identified by African institutions in the sound design of scientific research projects relevant to the management of natural resources. These workshops were designed to teach African scientists skills on how to frame research questions, select and design appropriate methods, manage and analyse data as well as how to interpret and present results. The workshops enhanced participants' skills in designing research projects- from setting objectives, to choosing methods and interpreting data. Being practical in design, these workshops strived to assist African environmental scientists improve their research, enabling them to produce publishable results and become more effective in their work. In addition participants gained skills in designing research methods and protocols, statistical analysis of data and presentation of results. View the workshop reports below: |
• Naro Moru, Kenya: 28 Feb - 2 Mar 2012
[View
report] |
| Seventy (70) conservation scientists, researchers and managers working for fifty-one (51) government, research and academic institutions, and NGOs in Africa were trained. |
2011 workshops series— communicating and disseminating research results
The workshops in 2011 built on the experience and expertise of the previous workshops in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. They were designed to enhance the capacity of conservation managers working for local government institutions, non-governmental organisations etc. to fundraise, prepare good scientific and quality popular material, and communicate their work effectively. The workshops equipped participants with skills in preparing quality papers for publication in journals and other media where research results can be easily accessed by the wider community. Teaching was based on practical exercises mainly using participants’ own work. Talks and case studies were used to illustrate steps in structuring scientific papers and how the publication process works. View the workshop reports below: |
| • Ruiru, Kenya: 8 – 11 Mar 2011 [View
report] • Kampala, Uganda: 28 Jun – 1 Jul 2011 [View report] • Kumasi, Ghana: 26 – 29 Jul 2011 [View report] • Ibadan, Nigeria : 23 – 26 Aug 2011 [View report] |
| Seventy-two conservation scientists, researchers and managers working for government, research and academic institution, NGOs, etc in Africa were trained. |
2010 workshops series— developing successful research proposals
The workshops were designed to enhance the capacity
of participants to fundraise for priority research. The workshops
took place in: |
| • Royal Suites Hotel, Kampala, Uganda:
22 – 25 Jun 2010 [View
report] • Kenya Institute of Education, Nairobi, Kenya: 20 – 23 Jul 2010 [View report] • Catholic Redemptorist Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria: 31 Aug – 3 Sep 2010 [View report] • Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana: 6 – 9 Sep 2010 [View report] |
| Seventy-six conservation scientists, researchers and managers working for government, research and academic institution, NGOs, etc in Africa were trained. Click workshop titles above to view workshop reports. |
DRECA host institutions and contacts
Each workshop was organised and hosted by partners in the respective participating countries.
Ghana Host institution: University of Ghana Contact person: Dr Erasmus Owusu |
Nigeria Host institution: Nigerian Conservation Foundation Contact person: Mrs Funmi Tsewinor |
| Kenya Host institution: Nature Kenya (the EANHS) Host institution: Zoology Section, National Museums of Kenya Contact person: Ms Agatha Nthenge |
Uganda Host institution: Faculty of Forest and Nature Conservation, Makerere University Host institution: Dept of Zoology, Makerere University Contact person: Dr Efitre Jackson |
Please check out the TBA workshop portfolio for details of our previous workshops.