EDCTP Forum communications workshop
From good to great: Mastering communication skills for impactful science
Location: Kigali Convention Centre, Room MH3
Date & time: Thursday, 19 June at 15:30–17:00
Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and the EDCTP Association (Africa Office) are co-hosting a workshop at the 12th EDCTP Forum to highlight the importance of communications in science and the role it plays in helping scientists advance their careers. The workshop builds on the successful communications training sessions delivered to PAMAfrica and SINDOFO consortia scholarship PhD and master's students and aims to inspire attendees to refine and leverage their communications skills to better share their research, expand their networks and make an impact through their career paths.
The workshop will examine how communications should be regarded as an essential part of every scientist’s professional toolkit, with questions for audience members to gauge how they apply their own communications skills to their work. A panel discussion will follow, with scientists at various stages of their careers and in different roles within the research ecosystem reflecting on their personal experiences mastering the art and science of communications. Following the panel discussion, workshop participants will be invited to reflect on the issues and experiences raised by the panelists, with the aim of expanding their communications horizons to better support their work.
Panelists
Trudie Lang, Global Health Network (United Kingdom)
Trudie is a Professor of Global Health Research at the University of Oxford and leads the Global Health Network programme. She has over 20 years of experience in running clinical trials, including trials in the developing world, for the pharmaceutical industry, the World Health Organization and in academia. Together with her team and partners, Trudie works to drive better health outcomes in vulnerable communities by enabling local leadership and ground-up implementation of high-quality health research studies.
Thomas Nyirenda, Strategic Partnerships & Capacity Development Manager and Head of the Africa Office, EDCTP (South Africa)
Thomas is Strategic Partnerships & Capacity Development Manager and Head of the EDCTP Africa Office. He trained in Medicine at University of St Andrews (Scotland), St Mary’s Hospital (UK) and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Malawi), and in Public Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK). He has 30 years of experience working in Clinical Medicine, Public Health and Clinical Research and Health Services Management in sub-Saharan Africa. He worked as a Medical Officer for Malawi’s Ministry of Health and at WHO before joining EDCTP in 2004. He has had teaching appointments at the College of Medicine in Malawi, University of Witswatersrand (South Africa) and Department of Global Health of Stellenbosch University (South Africa).
Victor Asua, Junior Researcher, Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (Uganda)
Victor is a Junior Researcher and Molecular Biologist at the Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration in Kampala, Uganda. He is also a PhD fellow at the University of Tübingen and a PAMAfrica consortium scholarship recipient.
Nyawīra Gīkandi, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Science for Africa Foundation (Kenya)
A Science Communications and Strategic Public Relations professional with over 10 years of experience, Nyawīra currently serves as a Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Science for Africa Foundation, where she was previously a Senior Communications Specialist. Her work involves driving, nurturing and cultivating high-level collaborations with a host of stakeholders, including governments, funders, scientists and policymakers, both within Africa and across the globe.
Moderators
Michelle Nderu, Project Officer, EDCTP (South Africa)
Michelle is a Molecular Biologist with an MSc in Medicine from the University of Cape Town. She has worked in the biotechnology industry as a Research and Development Scientist and was a Research Coordinator for South African Medical Research Council. As an EDCTP Project Officer, Michelle manages global health consortia and researchers in the implementation of research and capacity development programm
Jaya Banerji, Senior Consultant, Medicines for Malaria Venture (Switzerland)
A seasoned Senior Communications Consultant with an MPH from the University of Liverpool, Jaya has a deep and abiding interest in malaria and public health. She has worked extensively with several Geneva-based global health organizations. Jaya’s extensive expertise includes developing and implementing communications strategies; coordinating video production and advocacy campaigns; and coaching teams to strengthen their communication skills.