In a bid to harness the power of research for practical applications, the Africa Coalition for Epidemic Research Response and Training (ALERRT) organized a transformative four-day training workshop at the Silver Moon Hotel in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from November 27th to December 1st, 2023. Focused on the valorization of research findings, the workshop was an integral part of ALERRT's activities, specifically centering on the valuable data collected in the FISSA study—a groundbreaking exploration into the management of Febrile Illnesses in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The primary objective of the workshop was to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective communication of research outcomes, identification of collaboration opportunities, and leveraging research findings for practical applications within the organization. Representing a privilege to our group, the workshop promised to contribute significantly to the advancement of research valorization within the context of ALERRT's activities.
Workshop Overview
The workshop comprised various sessions and activities designed to enhance participants' skills and knowledge in the valorization of research findings. With a focus on the FISSA study, the training aimed to create a platform for comprehensive data analysis and exploration. The attendees, consisting of 16 participants, including 10 ALERRT partners, were organized into five working groups based on proposals received:
- Main Paper
- Malaria
- Pediatrics
- Ghana Team
- Antibiotic Use
These groups are expected to produce about 8 papers over the coming months, with each delving into specific aspects of the FISSA study.
Achievements and Next Steps
The workshop achieved a significant milestone by establishing a foundation for future research endeavors. The following outcomes and next steps were identified:
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Working Groups: The formation of five working groups signifies a targeted approach to research, allowing participants to delve into specialized areas related to the FISSA study.
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Future Papers: About 8 papers are expected to be written over the coming months, further contributing to the body of knowledge surrounding Febrile Illnesses in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Authorship Procedure: The next steps include proposing an authorship procedure to be validated by the ALERRT Executive Committee. This ensures a transparent and fair process for attributing authorship to the research papers produced.
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Maintaining Momentum: Regular meetings will be held to maintain the dynamic created during the workshop. These meetings will serve as platforms to present progress and foster continued collaboration among participants.
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Paper Finalization: Plans are in place to finalize the FISSA main paper and all other proposed papers within the first quarter of 2024.
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Conference Submission: The participants aim to submit abstracts to a conference in 2024, providing a platform to share their research findings with a wider audience.
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Journal Submissions: Identifying journals for paper submissions is a crucial step, starting with the main paper and subsequently with the other proposed papers.
Download the Full Report
For a comprehensive overview of the workshop, including detailed objectives, activities, key takeaways, and recommendations for future implementation within our organization, the full report is available for download.
FISSA Writing Workshop Report 178.3 KB, PDF
FISSA Writing Workshop Info 672.4 KB, PDF
FISSA Writing Workshop Agenda 816.3 KB, PDF (French)
FISSA Writing Workshop Agenda 816.3 KB, PDF (English)