Our annual Implementation Science Schools are facilitated by some of the field’s most prominent global experts, and aim to train early- and mid-career researchers in low- and middle-income countries who have an interest in the field of implementation science as applied to non-communicable diseases.
Through expert-led lectures, small group sessions, facilitated group work, and panel discussions, participants learn key aspects of implementation research, including how to formulate and design studies, how to select and apply theories, models, and frameworks, and how to undertake implementation science in the real world.
It is also an opportunity to create a professional network for future collaborations and gather tips for delivering research with impact.
Applications are open for this year’s Implementation Science School, taking place online over seven days between 29 November and 10 December 2021. The School is provided at no cost (except commitment) to successful applicants.
Ibitoye Segun Emmanuel, from the 2020 Implementation Science School, spoke to us about his experiences and recommendations from the School.
Why did you choose to apply for the implementation science school?
“My long-term goal is to become a consultant and academic, with top-notch professional expertise in public health research implementation and dissemination, with tailored research to prevent and control NCDs in Africa and worldwide. Hence, the GACD Implementation Science School strongly aligns with this vision to build my competence in implementation science.
“Shortly after the School, I conducted a pilot on the fidelity and potential effectiveness of my research. The knowledge acquired at the School played a significant role in its successful implementation from research design, implementation strategies to outcome assessments.”
How has the implementation science school impacted your career?
“Most early-career researchers in Africa (especially PhD researchers) are self-funded, devoid of collaboration and suffer from a lack of productive mentorship and adequate research guidance. The learning from the Implementation Science School has significantly influenced my PhD research direction. I have revised the research tools and intervention approach and engaged key stakeholders during intervention conceptualisation and implementation phase. The new approach will yield sustainability of my research after completion of the thesis.”
Would you recommend the implementation science school?
“Yes, I would recommend GACD Implementation Science School to postgraduate public health students in Nigeria and Africa. I am extremely grateful for the GACD training, I have co-authored 17 new publications since the School to expand the frontiers of knowledge. I am a testament to other early-career researchers that GACD is a go-to-place for capacity building on NCD policy framework and translational research for Africa and the world.”
Find out more about our Implementation Science Schools.
Applications for this year’s School close on 30 September 2021.