Equity and Inclusivity in Research Mentorship: A TDR Global crowdsourcing open call
Do you have practical ideas for enhancing equity and inclusivity within institutional research mentorship?
Purpose
The purpose of this open call is to identify innovative strategies to enhance equity in the practice of institutional research mentorship programmes, with a focus on age and gender related dimensions. This will include ideas to create more equal opportunities within research mentorship programmes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and identify methods for measuring equity as it relates to institutional research mentorship. We are interested in enhancing the HERMES practical guide with the findings from this open call as well as implementing the guide in LMIC institutes.
Background
Research mentorship is critical for LMIC organizations. We define institutional research mentorship as nurturing research capacity in organizations such as universities, professional associations, and research institutes in order to improve research effectiveness and health equity. However, the TDR Global “HEalth Research MEntorship in Low and Middle-Income CountrieS”(HERMES) practical guide identified substantial disparities in the practice of research mentorship. Many under-served groups have fewer mentorship opportunities. Underserved groups such as women, early to mid-career researchers, and those above retirement age and not formally engaged in research institutions are often left out. Local mentors are neglected, and high-income country mentors are prioritized, continuing vicious cycles. This open call focuses on age and gender dimensions of mentorship and examines how age intersects with gender to influence mentorship options, opportunities and disadvantage or privilege. This highlights the need to make institutional research mentorship more equitable and inclusive in LMICs.
Guideline for contributions
Eligibility
Any one above 18 years of age who work or live in LMICs are eligible to submit to this open call. We are particularly interested in ideas from woman-identifying, non-binary identifying individuals as well as those serving as mentees or mentors.
Language for the entries
Submissions in all six official languages of the UN are welcome. This includes English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.
Format of your submission
1.The contribution should focus on practical ideas that can be used to improve equity and inclusivity in research mentorship programmes, with a focus on age and gender dimensions of mentorship
2.Written text (no more than 500 words) (Doc, PDF, PPT- ~5slides)
3.Infographics, videos (time constraint 2 min.?) or images can be included in the text (optional).
You may want to consider the following questions in preparing your submission:
- What practical advice do you have for improving equity and inclusivity in research mentorship programmes?
- How can we create more equal opportunities reducing age and gender inequities in research mentorship in LMIC institutions?
- How can we effectively engage these under-served groups including women, early to mid-career researchers, and those above retirement age in institutional mentorship opportunities?
- What factors enable or inhibit equitable and inclusive practices in research mentorship and implementation in your setting?
- What are some methods for measuring equity as it relates to institutional research mentorship.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be judged on a 1-10 scale according to the following four criteria:
1. Clear description of ideas focused on equitable mentorship using one or more social stratifiers for equity. We are particularly interested in age and gender dimensions that influence mentorship
2. Potential for enhancing inclusivity in research mentorship in LMICs
3. Innovation in resource constraint settings
4. Potential for implementation and sustainability
Timeline
Deadline: 15th June 2023
Judging: End of June 2023
Notify finalists: July 2023
Prizes
-Exceptional ideas will be recognized by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).
-Selected finalists will receive tailored feedback from judges. Each finalist team will receive 500-2000USD to pilot their ideas (specific amount will depend on the quality and detail of submission). Supported financially to present the ideas in a relevant conference.
-Successful pilots will inform a revision of the HERMES Practical guide in 2024.
-Also, selected finalists will be invited to Join TDR Global and have their profiles featured on the TDR Global platform.
Organizing group
1.Joseph Tucker
2.Eneyi Kpokiri
3.Kamryn McDonald
4.Annabel Steiner
5.Jing Tang
6.Noah Fongwen
7.Mirgissa Kaba
Steering Committee Members
1.Alemseged Abdissa
2.Franklin Glozah
3.Barbara Castelnuovo
4.Daniel Yilma
5.Alejandra Chamorro
6.Tilak Chandra Nath
7.Pheabian Olaoluwa Akinwale
8.Victor Talavera-Urdanivia
10.Vicente Belizario
Partner Organizations
TDR Global, SESH (lead), LSHTM, TDR Global Nodes, AHRI
Glossary
- Equity
- Inclusivity
- Research mentorship
- Practical Ideas
FAQs
1. What is TDR Global?
TDR Global is a community of passionate scientists and experts who have been working with TDR to support global research effort on infectious diseases of poverty. TDR Global is a community of TDR grantees, TDR experts and researchers, donors and partners.
2. Can I apply as an individual or a group?
You can submit an idea as an individual or on behalf of a group.
3. How can I join TDR Global?
You can submit an idea as an individual or on behalf of a group.
3. How can I join TDR Global?
If you are a current or former TDR grantee, trainee, expert advisor, staff or committee member, and you would like to register, please email TDR first: tdrglobal@who.int
Those who have participated in courses at the Regional Training Centres could also join, but should first contact the regional nodes.
4. Why use a challenge contest?
Open contests have been widely used by governments, private foundations, and other organizations to improve mentorship initiatives and programs. Our experiences have demonstrated that challenge contests are a useful tool for soliciting innovative ideas for solving different problems. More details about open contests for health are available here.
5. What are infectious diseases of poverty?
Infectious diseases of poverty is an umbrella term used to describe diseases which are known to be more prevalent among poorer 1.89 billion populations, rather than a definitive group of diseases.
6. Is there a limit to the number of contributions?
No, there is no limit.
No, there is no limit.
7. Does it cost me anything to participate?
Participation in the open call is free, with no purchase or payment obligation.
8. Is the prize money taxed?
It depends on your countries tax laws. The money will be taxed according to the laws of the country it will be received in.
Questions