Research Participant Information Sheet

Scoping the Path to Leadership in Africa Research Participant Information Sheet

Purpose

The goal of the project is to support African research leaders to flourish in their environments, leading and creating vibrant research ecosystems. Strong leadership will catalyse the researchers, teams and organisations to be more successful. In this context, leadership is defined not just as leadership styles, vision and strategy etc. but issues specific to the research ecosystem, for example building linkages with policy makers, engaging with communities to influence research, and participating in language and culture mobility programmes. It could also include being effective ambassadors for science and adherence to research ethics.

There is an increasing demand for leadership training bespoke to specific cadres and career levels. The vast array of leadership training programmes available, covering a range of methodologies, theories, and approaches only adds to the complexity of the offer.

It is expected that the scoping work will ultimately support the capacity building capabilities for researchers within the African continent. Institutions will be able to use the recommendations in the report to benchmark future leadership development opportunities, such as secondments and mentorships, for their researchers and provide first-class training.

Why have I been invited to participate?

You have been invited to participate because you are a researcher who we feel will be able to provide insights into leadership development for the next generation based upon your own career journey and what you wish you had known when you started out.

Focus groups, an online survey, and semi-structured interviews will be conducted face to face or by telephone, with researchers at all stages of their careers and others allied to research in research intensive universities and representative of health disciplines, in up to 12 different countries including the US and UK. We aim to achieve 6 focus group discussions, 250 online survey respondents, and
20 in-depth interviews of up to 1 hour duration. The interviews will be transcribed and analysed thematically to draw out the key points from which guidance documents and training will be developed.

Do I have to take part?

You have the right to refuse to take part without giving the researchers any reason. You also have the right to change your mind and to notify the researchers that you wish to withdraw at any point during the research. You may also withdraw your data up to the point of publication.

What if something goes wrong?

If something goes wrong or if you feel that you have been harmed in any way by this study please contact, Dr. Jose Jackson-Malete, Project Co-Director, The Alliance for African Partnership, Michigan State University, 427 N Shaw Lane, Room 100, East Lansing, Michigan USA 48824. Tel: 517-884-8587 or Email: jacks184@msu.edu.

If you have questions or concerns about your role and rights as a research participant, would like to obtain information or offer input, or would like to register a complaint about this study, you may contact, anonymously if you wish, the Michigan State University’s Human Research Protection Program at 517-355-2180, Fax 517-432-4503, or e-mail irb@msu.edu or regular mail at 4000 Collins Rd, Suite 136, Lansing, MI 48910.

Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?

All information you supply in this study will be anonymised and neither you nor your institution will be identifiable in any way.

How will my data be used?

  • Your responses will be used purely to analyse views about the path to leadership in order to help to develop or improve leadership development in future;
  • Your responses will be kept confidential and will not be shared with any third parties (unless required by law);
  • An evaluation report and academic publication will be drafted using the aggregated responses
  • Responses will be retained for 2 years after completion of the project, which is scheduled to be December 2018.

What will happen to the results of the research study?

The results of the study will be compiled into a report for the Wellcome Trust and AESA and will contribute towards the production of guidance and training materials for use by African research institutes and universities in developing the next generation of research leaders. In addition, it is expected that the findings will be published in peer reviewed journals.

If you agree to participate, please complete and sign the Participant Consent Form

For further information on the project

Alison Mitchell, Project Director, Director of Development, Vitae, CRAC, 22 Signet Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA, UK. Tel: +44(0)7753814020 or Email: Alison.mitchell@vitae.ac.uk

Jose Jackson-Malete, Project Co-Director, The Alliance for African Partnership, Michigan State University, 427 N Shaw Lane, Room 100, East Lansing, Michigan, USA 48824, Tel: 517-388-9849 or Email: jacks184@msu.edu