Leaders of Africa

Introducing Research Methods Program 2024. 🎉 In February, we challenged researchers around the world to share their interests and ideas for translating their research work into social innovation. After an overwhelming response and a rigorous review process, we have our 2024 Research Scholars. Every cohort of the Research Methods Program at the Leaders of Africa Institute is special. Our 2024 Research Scholars represent over 35 countries with interests in public health, education, social science, finance, equitable and sustainable development, environmental protection, and monitoring and evaluation - among other important fields. With backgrounds in academia, government, non-government organizations, and the private sector, our Research Scholars are well-placed to ensure their research work has an immediate social impact. In our diversity is a unified belief that research can advance societal transformation. The journey began a week ago during our Orientation and Program Opening. Over the next few months, our Research Scholars will consider ideas for original research contributions, challenge themselves to see their research work and impact differently, learn advanced methodological tools and techniques, and accelerate their research Capstone Projects. We look forward to sharing more about 2024 Research Scholars in the next few weeks and months ahead. To learn more about the Leaders of Africa Institute and upcoming opportunities, join our WhatsApp Group ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K We thank all of our partners who supported our worldwide Research Methods Program recruitment including the Association of African Universities and Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) - among many others. #datascience #dataanalytics #publichealth #socialscience #agriculture #trade #SDGs #socialimpact #education #highered #research #education #businessanalytics #climatechange #economics #scholarship

Meet Henry Duah of Ghana who is a Research Analyst with The FutureList. As a Data and Design Scholar and recently a Research Scholar (2023) with the Leaders of Africa Institute, Henry is dedicated to research and innovation aimed at fostering a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem in African countries. There is a pressing need for sustainable investment to support entrepreneurial endeavors. In his Capstone Project, Henry explores the popular Africa: The Big Deal dataset to understand existing investment trends in the health technology space. One significant finding is that investors have largely focused on financial technology in recent years with healthtech lagging behind. Given the dominance of finance and energy in the investment landscape, there is a need to advocate for increased resources in health and education, which can yield long-term benefits for societal well-being. Henry not only contributes to advancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem through research but also works towards building an inclusive ecosystem for Africa's youth. Henry co-founded Nurture Mentorship, which is a platform to connect African youth to mentors. As Henry says, "I deeply care about my work because it allows me to serve as an ecosystem enabler by spotlighting innovators and connecting stakeholders in the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem to opportunities." Stay tuned for the reveal of Henry's Capstone Project at the Data + Design International Showcase. To learn more about the Leaders of Africa Institute and upcoming opportunities, join our WhatsApp Group ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K #dataviz #datascience #SDGs #data #socialimpact #entrepreneurship #publichealth #SDG8

Happy Africa Day! 🎉 We believe that research, data science, and tech development can promote knowledge sharing without borders so that we live in a more integrated and democratic Africa. The African Union has designated 2024 the Year of Education, and all of us at the Leaders of Africa Institute believe that education is critical to achieving the Africa we want and shared prosperity. We are proud of the leadership of our Institute Scholars past and present representing over 40 countries who are working every day to bring intellectual rigor to challenges that transcend political borders and disciplinary silos. Keep up the great work! To learn more about the Leaders of Africa Institute and upcoming opportunities, join our WhatsApp Group ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K #AfricaDay #AfricaDay2024 #LoAI #SGDs African Union Association of African Universities

Meet Zafirah Sulaiman of Nigeria who is a Project Engineer at Innova Renewables in the UK. Zafirah brings her dual passions for promoting equitable energy access and care for the environment to her work. As a Data and Design Scholar at the Leaders of Africa Institute, she has explored ways that we can use data on air quality to target our efforts to design eco-friendly energy infrastructure and produce policies to transform current infrastructural realities. In her Capstone Project, Zafirah employs data from several sources including major international environmental organizations and innovative crowd-sourced collection mechanisms to reveal insights into air quality shortcomings. Take Nigeria as an example. The average PM 2.5 air pollution exposure is 66.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2010 - 2019). In contrast, countries like Sweden have levels as low as 6.2. With an average of 44.1 across sub-Saharan Africa, there is much work to be done to achieve healthier air quality. Solutions to poor air quality will help confront the increase in respiratory and other related health concerns due to poor air quality. Addressing air pollution begins with identifying pollution hotspots and demonstrating that policy changes can lead to dramatic improvements. As Zafirah says, she is "fostering a culture of sustainability, especially in Africa." She is doing so by promoting an evidenced-based conversation about pollution and innovative policy solutions. Stay tuned for the reveal of Zafirah's Capstone Project at the Data + Design International Showcase. To learn more about the Leaders of Africa Institute and upcoming opportunities, join our WhatsApp Group ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K #dataviz #datascience #SDGs #data #socialimpact #energy #cleanair #SDG12 #SDG7

Over the past three months, our Data and Design Scholars have explored data visualization and storytelling for social impact. Today we highlight the Capstone Project of Mulima Walubita. As a public health expert who has played an important role in several major organizations, including Pact Zambia, World Vision, and Africare, Mulima has worked to connect rigorous behavioral research to impact interventions that improve health education and healthcare systems. In her Capstone Project, Mulima employs Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data from six countries to compare the social and behavioral characteristics that correlate to HIV prevalence. The purpose is to highlight areas for public health education interventions and the identification of best practices in countries that have made progress towards global targets. Stay tuned for the reveal of Mulima's Capstone Project at the Data + Design International Showcase. To learn more about the Leaders of Africa Institute and upcoming opportunities, join our WhatsApp Group ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K #dataviz #datascience #SDGs #data #socialimpact #publichealth #SDG3

Congratulations to our accepted Research Scholars 2024! 🎉 With backgrounds in important areas of international development research, we are ready to welcome a highly talented cohort of researchers, data analysts, and social innovators who represent over 40 countries around the world. In 2024, we face many global challenges that can be solved through research and social innovation. Each of our accepted Research Scholars is passionate about how their research work can confront these challenges. Over the next few weeks, we will share more about this year's Scholars and how they are hoping to use their research to achieve social impact. We will also share insights into how the Leaders of Africa Institute will enable our Research Scholars, like our distinguished alumni, to be leading voices and innovators in research and international development. To learn more about the Leaders of Africa Institute and upcoming opportunities, join our WhatsApp Group ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K #datascience #dataanalytics #publichealth #socialscience #agriculture #trade #SDGs #socialimpact #education #highered #research #education #businessanalytics #climatechange #economics #scholarship

Welcome to Deadline Day (April 15th) for the Research Methods Program 2024. There are many ways to use research, advanced methods, and data science to inform decision-making. In the Research Methods Program, we believe that research is a force for social impact. If you have not yet completed your application, make sure to submit it today. The admissions process is competitive, but thanks to our partners, applicants who do not receive acceptance to the Research Methods Program will be considered for other research programs at the Leaders of Africa Institute on the basis of their application, including fully funded workshops. Highly qualified applicants will be matched with opportunities that are appropriate for their research and professional interests. We are excited to introduce our new cohort in the coming weeks and support our 2024 Research Scholars with their impactful research projects. Learn more about the Research Methods Program, the Impact Scholarship available to accepted applicants, and apply ➡ https://lnkd.in/guvjPazV #datascience #dataanalytics #publichealth #socialscience #agriculture #trade #SDGs #socialimpact #education #highered #research #education #businessanalytics #climatechange #economics #scholarship

Research is more than publications. It is about making a social impact and improving livelihoods. Today, we feature one of our Research Methods Program alumni, Isaac Newton Bortey (RMP 2020). Like many of our alumni, Isaac has published widely in a variety of research venues including the Afrobarometer Working Paper Series on themes such as taxation, public finance, and public perceptions of development. For Isaac, it is important that we translate the knowledge we produce into tangible change, which our societies need now. Isaac also reflects on how the diversity of countries and fields represented in the Research Methods Program contributes to a unique learning environment at the Leaders of Africa Institute. Learn more about the Research Methods Program, the Impact Scholarship available to accepted applicants, and apply before Monday's April 15th deadline ➡ https://lnkd.in/guvjPazV WhatsApp Group ➡ https://lnkd.in/eTSCzS6Y or https://lnkd.in/gVHwqR_K (if full) Read Isaac's Most Recent Afrobarometer Publication ➡ https://lnkd.in/g5dE8nwV #datascience #AI #dataanalytics #publichealth #socialscience #agriculture #trade #SDGs #socialimpact #education #highered #research #education #businessanalytics #climatechange #economics #scholarship Association of African Universities, Social Innovation Lab at Johns Hopkins University, Alliance for African Partnership, Ford Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), The Education Collaborative, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, The Mawazo Institute, Studentshubgh, Afterschoolafrica Scholarships, Africademics

Five days until the Research Methods Program 2024 application deadline. Your application is an opportunity for us to get to know you, your research work, your career ambitions, and your passion for conducting impactful research. Like last year, we encourage you to complete your application ahead of the April 15th deadline. The admissions process is competitive, but thanks to our partners, applicants who do not receive acceptance to the Research Methods Program will be considered for other research programs at the Leaders of Africa Institute on the basis of their application, including fully funded workshops. Highly qualified applicants will be matched with opportunities that are appropriate for their research and professional interests. Learn more about the program, the Impact Scholarship available to accepted applicants, and apply ➡ https://lnkd.in/guvjPazV #datascience #AI #dataanalytics #publichealth #socialscience #agriculture #trade #SDGs #socialimpact #education #highered #research #education #businessanalytics #climatechange #economics #scholarship

In advance of the Research Methods Program 2024 deadline on April 15th, we hear from Samuel Eduam (Research Methods Program Scholar 2023) about the motivation for his research Capstone Project in this excerpt from his full interview with the Leaders of Africa Institute. Samuel is presently a Research Scholar in the Research Methods Program and working with GIZ Ghana. His Capstone Project examines efforts to expand financial inclusion while also preventing illicit financial flows and financial schemes that target the most vulnerable. Samuel's aim is to ensure that new financial approaches are safe, effective, and live up to the promise of enabling people to achieve their financial goals. Check out one of Samuel's recent articles on fintech regulations here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gKtdAkZj. Like Samuel, in the Research Methods Program, we believe that research should be impact-oriented and shared widely. Apply before the April 15th deadline and learn more about the Impact Scholarship available ➡ https://lnkd.in/guvjPazV #datascience #dataanalytics #socialscience #SDGs #socialimpact #research #economics #data4development #finance #inclusion #fintech #Ghana #scholarship