Dear CARTA Community,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the July – December 2023 edition of the CARTA Newsletter. ‘Ten cohorts strong’ is the high note on which we are ending the year, a remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication, resilience, and collective spirit of the CARTA community.
As the Program Manager overseeing CARTA’s Early Career Researchers (ECRs), I have for the last five years had the privilege of witnessing our fellows’ growth, successes, and significant contributions to the health and development agenda in Africa. From winning grants, to taking on positions of responsibility at their institutions, running CARTA events, and participating in conferences, they truly embody the program’s spirit. The success of our fellows beyond the program reflects the effectiveness of our unique approach, which provides a dynamic, flexible, and transformational learning environment. The sequential and timed 40-month curriculum, including the intense blended Joint Advanced Seminars and the ESE:O online academic writing course, builds critical research competencies and forges enduring networks among researchers, mentors, and peers across diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
The strength of CARTA lies not only in the dedication of our fellows but also in the collaborative efforts of our partners, both African and non-African. Our secretariat plays a crucial role in supporting day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth functioning. Together, we have created a nurturing environment that fosters excellence and facilitates the development of the next generation of African research leaders. The recent conference held collaboratively with the University of the Witwatersrand (September 14 – 15, 2023), where many ECRs and partners were in attendance, was a celebrative example of the impact of our collective efforts.
As we work towards enrolling more cohorts, we continue to look for new ways to support our fellows in their path to research leadership. Innovations like the CARTA Evidence website allow the program to showcase the expertise and outputs of our fellows. This knowledge management platform has made it possible for them to share their expertise and contributions to science with potential collaborators and funders. The visibility enhances their prospects and capacity to influence policy and programmatic action. I encourage each fellow to update their digital profiles with us and ORCID, and claim their author profiles on Scopus and Web of Science so that we can better showcase their accomplishments and expertise, and continue connecting them with opportunities as they arise.
We look forward to a vibrant future that includes expanding our impact, empowering African scholars, strengthening research capacity, and driving positive change across the continent. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey, and here’s to the next decade of shaping research excellence and leadership in Africa!
Marta Vicente-Crespo
CARTA Program Manager
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