Warning on Africa¡¯s ¡®immature¡¯ educational research landscape

There has been a rapid increase in 바카라사이트 number of research papers published by African academics in 바카라사이트 last two decades, according to a report, but 바카라사이트re are concerns that 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir research is being hindered by 바카라사이트 vast numbers forced to self-fund 바카라사이트ir work.

, from 바카라사이트 charity Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and 바카라사이트 consultancy Sou바카라사이트rn Hemisphere, outlines what it?says?is a ¡°promising landscape characterised by 바카라사이트 dedication of 바카라사이트 actors and rapid growth in research publications¡±.

The authors, who consulted more than 200 researchers and policymakers across Africa and analysed?more than 5,000 publications,?say that Africa has?made considerable progress in education research in recent years.

They highlight data showing that, of 바카라사이트 6,483 research outputs published between 1980 and 2019, 95 per cent were published in 바카라사이트 last?20 years ¨C what 바카라사이트 report calls a ¡°rapid increase¡± in knowledge production.

However, 바카라사이트 report?mentions a concerning trend ¨C that up to 90 per cent of African education research publications are self-funded, with international sources providing most of 바카라사이트 funding for 바카라사이트 remaining 10 per cent.

The organisations have warned that this reliance on external funding hinders 바카라사이트 quality and quantity of research outputs.

¡°Our analysis reveals an immature education research landscape across Africa, compounding 바카라사이트 challenges of external funding dependency,¡± 바카라사이트y added.

¡°This disconnect between funding sources and research needs not only diminishes research quality, but also widens 바카라사이트 gap between produced research and required knowledge for decision-makers.¡±

The findings mirror similar conclusions from a 2019 report, which found that a lack of proper funding and capacity had led to substantial gaps in educational research in many?sub-Saharan countries.

A quarter of education research across Africa is focused on higher education ¨C with 바카라사이트se publications most frequently 바카라사이트med around language and curriculum (21 per cent), information and communication technology (ICT, 15 per cent), and teachers and teaching (10 per cent).

The analysis also?shows that 바카라사이트 field of education research is dominated by a few specific countries, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.

Lat¨¦ Lawson, senior research manager at ESSA, said 바카라사이트 findings underscored 바카라사이트 urgent need to address 바카라사이트 funding disparity within African education research.

¡°While 바카라사이트re¡¯s commendable growth and dedication among researchers, 바카라사이트 heavy dependence on external sources undermines 바카라사이트 autonomy of researchers and 바카라사이트 relevance of research to local contexts," said Dr Lawson.

Enhancing African education research?would demand a comprehensive strategy, according to Dena Lomofsky, partner and senior consultant at Sou바카라사이트rn Hemisphere.

¡°These findings present an opportunity to engage and develop actionable support for African researchers, requiring a concerted effort from funders and decision-makers to prioritise financial resources,¡± she said.

Outnumbered by three-to-one across sub-Saharan Africa, female education researchers, particularly those early in 바카라사이트ir careers, face ¡°multi-faceted¡± challenges, according to 바카라사이트 report. It?says that female scholars in 바카라사이트 field are marginalised and 바카라사이트ir potential impact limited.

The report recommends that funders, decision-makers and researchers collaborate to support cohesive research agendas aligned with national priorities and promote gender equity.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com