KAMPALA, UGANDA – Over 30 researchers and graduate students from Makerere University have undergone specialized training aimed at enhancing their skills in research co-creation, science communication, and policy engagement.
Organized by the Environment for Development (EfD) Mak Centre, the training emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and policy impact, particularly in environmental economics and natural resources management.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prof. Edward Bbale, Director of the EfD-Mak Centre, underscored Makerere University’s commitment to becoming a research-intensive institution. “Our research must not be done for its own sake or just for attaining degrees. It must impact communities,” he said.
The training focused on building capacity in research co-creation, science communication, and policy engagement. Dr. Peter Babyenda, Uganda’s Policy Engagement Specialist and lead trainer, identified a gap in writing skills among graduate students, prompting the focus on effective communication.
Participants praised the training, citing transformative insights into purposeful research and effective communication. “I’ve learned that as a researcher, you need to know who will use your results and what impact they will have,” said John Robert Opus, a graduate student.
Hilda Namuleme, a researcher at the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), noted the training’s impact on her approach to writing and communicating research results. “I learned that I need to start with the results when writing for the media,” she said.
The EfD initiative seeks to influence policy in the Global South through high-quality research. Future training sessions will focus on methodologies and advanced research techniques.
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