S03E62 Enhancing Education Research in Africa

Education research in Africa has long been a crucial aspect of shaping the continent’s future. However, the dominance of Western-led research initiatives has often led to a lack of locally relevant evidence to inform policies and practices. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Dr. Lucy Wakiaga, Associate Research Scientist at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). Dr. Wakiaga shares her insights on the importance of locally led research in enhancing education outcomes in Africa, emphasizing the need for African researchers to drive change. She discusses the Enhancing Education Research in Africa (EERA) project, an innovative initiative that takes an 8-part intervention approach to strengthen education research systems in Africa. By identifying and addressing the specific needs of African researchers, EERA project aims to create a robust ecosystem that supports locally led research, increases funding, and fosters intra-African collaborations. The conversation highlights the ultimate goal of improving learning outcomes for African children by generating robust evidence that informs policies and practices.