U-CARE hosted workshop on public contribution in research in Tanzania
Faraja Chiwanga, doctoral student at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health (left), in conversation with members of the advisory group during the workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Photo: Shadrack Mwamafupa.
In mid-November, U-CARE’s Programme Director, Professor Louise von Essen, hosted a workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focusing on public contribution in research. The event was organised in collaboration with Muhimbili National Hospital – Mloganzila, with Associate Senior Lecturer Joanne Woodford delivering the workshop. The aim was to enhance local research skills and raise awareness of public contribution.
A diverse group of participants
The workshop brought together researchers, clinicians, and public contributors from across Tanzania.
“I was impressed by the strong interest shown by the participants,” says Louise von Essen. “The workshop attracted so much interest that we had to create a waiting list. Those who attended the workshop were highly engaged and asked insightful questions about how to incorporate public contribution into their future research.”
U-CARE Programme Coordinator Louise von Essen, Professor at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, in conversation with Faraja Chiwanga, doctoral student at the same department. Photo: Shadrack Mwamafupa.
The event was organised as part of GuardiansCan, a research project aiming to develop a mobile phone support for guardians of children with cancer in Tanzania, led by Professor von Essen. In GuardiansCan, an advisory board consisting of guardians of children with cancer, are involved as public contributors. The workshop participants gained practical insights into effective methods of working with public contribution in research. Importantly, the workshop included a question-and-answer session with GuardiansCan advisory board members who shared their experiences working as public contributors on the GuardiansCan project.
“Public contribution in Tanzania is still in its early stages,” explains Louise von Essen. “By organising this workshop, we aim to build Tanzanian researchers' capacity to integrate public contribution into their research.”
Joanne Woodford, Associate Senior Lecturer at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, presenting during the workshop. Photo: Shadrack Mwamafupa.
“Public contribution research is high on the agenda internationally. I hope this workshop has empowered Tanzanian researchers to design and conduct research that is more relevant, feasible, and acceptable to local communities,” says Joanne Woodford.
Joanne Woodford an Miro Anter
What is public contribution in research?
Public contribution in research involves engaging members of the public as active partners in research. This includes patients, family members, informal caregivers, and the general public, who work alongside researchers to shape decisions in areas like research design, priority-setting, analysis, and dissemination. Importantly, public contribution can improve the acceptability, quality, relevance, and impact of research, while also empowering the public contributors themselves.