Volume 13| January 31, 2019
Here is why you should read our latest newsletter...
We have an in-depth coverage of how we promote gender inclusion in our efforts to build a vibrant multidisciplinary African Academy able to lead world-class research. In the issue, Alphonsus Neba , from the African Academy of Sciences, says gender equity in doctoral research not only brings diversity but also richness in health and science.

Also get to see how our 2018 was in pictures in the colorful photo gallery (Page 8-9)

Find out what activities are on our calendar on page 12. This and much more in our newsletter which you can read online here.

Read, share and send in your feedback!
Viva! CARTA Graduate awarded funds to support global efforts to end violence against children
CARTA Graduate Adesola Olumide , Cohort Three, from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria has been awarded close to US$30,000—by a U.S public charity—to communicate and publicize a set of global strategies geared towards ending violence against children ages 0-17. 

The award-winning proposal was submitted to the INSPIRE Fund and after a rigorous review process, was awarded funding by the U.S-based public charities, New Venture Fund and Ignite Philanthropy: Inspiring the End to Violence against Girls and Boys.

Kudos to our new graduates!
Kikelomo Aboyowa Mbada , Cohort Five, whose doctoral study looked at the political economy of disparities in maternal health policies in Southwestern Nigeria. She graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
Esther Kikelomo Afolabi , Cohort Five, her doctoral study looked at the assessment of the quality and utilization of cervical cancer prevention services in selected secondary health facilities in Southwestern Nigeria. She graduates from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
Henry Zakumumpa , Cohort Four, whose doctoral study examined the sustainability of antiretroviral therapy(ART) scale up implementation in health facilities in Uganda. He graduated on January 15, 2019 from the University of Makerere.
Sunday Joseph Ayamolowo , Cohort Four, doctoral study focused on the effect of technology-moderated intervention on family childbirth experiences, maternal and newborn outcomes in Home and Hospital Deliveries in Ekiti State [in Nigeria]. He graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
Omobolanle Aanuoluwapo Olajubu , Cohort Six, doctoral study focused on the impact of a mobile health intervention on uptake of postnatal care services and related outcomes among mothers in Osun State, Nigeria. He graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
Thank you Peju Esimai (OAU CARTA Focal Person) and Henry Zakumumpa for the photos.
We have 61 Graduates to date
Africa and Asia Science communications specialists from Wellcome-funded research units meet in South Africa
Our Communications Officer, Eunice Kilonzo , attended the three-day Africa Asia Communications Forum (AACF) at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

The meeting, held from January 23 to 25 , provided a platform for the over 30 participants to take part in practical sessions in photography, storytelling and communicating science (including in languages other than English) and how to engage with the media to amplify their work. They also committed to a stronger Africa-Asia communications network which will also include collaboration in communications skills training for scientists in their institutions.

You can follow the discussions from the meeting on Twitter through the hashtag  #AACF19 . T he forum was hosted by AHRI and the sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE). The inaugural AACF was held in 2017 in London.

Photo/Selfie-Eunice with Kemri-Wellcome Trust Head of Communication, Cynthia Mauncho.
Our annual Graduate Workshop for our 17 graduates, and three early career researchers from the Collaborating Partner institutions from February 11 to 16, 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The graduates attending the one-week hands-on workshop will gain skills to develop a successful and substantial proposal for a personal award to support their research or a research grant or large project that they will lead with guidance from facilitators. Their proposals will be sent to international reviewers for feedback. They will also interact with other researchers and develop and consolidate international professional networks. The workshop is also an opportunity for CARTA graduates to refine their applications for CARTA re-entry grants and postdoctoral fellowships.

Some of the facilitators include Håkan Billig (University of Gothenburg), Elizabeth Dyke  (Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR), APHRC's Duncan Gatoto, Evelyn Gitau, Florah Karimi,Justus Musasiah, Marta Vicente-Crespo Mosa Moshabela (University of KwaZulu-Natal),  Violet Naanyu (Moi University), Jackie Sturt (King’s College London), and Martin Underwood (University of Warwick). 
Our Fellow Macellina Yinyinade Ijadunola , Cohort Six from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria has published a paper in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth titled Lifting the veil on disrespect and abuse in facility-based child birth care: findings from South West Nigeria .

The upcoming changes in the Wellcome Trust policy for supporting publications in open access journals which come into effect from January 1, 2020. More details here.

Supporting Plan S, a model making research accessible and advancing science globally. Plan S, of the European Union , is an initiative for open access publishing that was launched in September 2018. 

Developing a culture of engagement and collaboration is just as important to achieving research impact as following best practice , writes Louise Shaxson in the London School of Economics Impact blog, and she presents five principles that underpin an effective research impact culture.
Write for The Conversation Africa
Share the findings or new research in your area of expertise or your doctoral study. The Conversation Africa is a highly reputable and credible source of information to improve the quality and scope of public discourse. Interested? Let us know.
Population Reference Bureau (PRB) and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) are now accepting applications for their 2019-2020 Policy Communication Fellows Program . 

US Embassy Nairobi currently accepting applications for Public Affairs grants from non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, or community-based organizations. More details here .

Two opportunities at the East Africa Social Science Translation (EASST) Collaborative available here .

Submit a paper for a new PLOSMedicine Special Issue: Maternal and Child Health & Nutrition! Deadline March 8, 2019 . More details here .



For other opportunities check the CARTA website .
Share with us any news and updates such as upcoming events, conferences, meetings, story ideas, new collaborations, new trials/updates on progress, upcoming and published papers, policy briefs, community engagement activities, scholarships, what you are reading, if you won a grant, attending or about an upcoming conference, a call for applications/funding/papers. Share these before February 16, 2019 to be included in the next CARTA news & updates.