Strategic Communications and Knowledge uptake

Supporting strategic communications and knowledge uptake

The SGCI supports African Science Granting Councils (SGCI) in strengthening strategic communications to increase research visibility and impact of research. Enhancing communication, knowledge translation, and engagement strategies ensures research informs policies, practices, and systems across Africa.

SGCs are key players in Africa’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem and contribute to long-term socioeconomic development. SGCI enhances the visibility of SGCs as influential research funders and enables them to contribute more effectively to evidence-informed policymaking and innovation systems.

We partner with SGCs to:

• Enhance the capacity of SGCs to monitor and report on the uptake of knowledge and learning outputs from SGCI and SGCs. This leads to greater adoption of valuable insights to inform policy and practice.
•  Build the communication capacity of SGC staff by equipping them with the skills needed to engage policymakers and decision-makers effectively. By engaging with policymakers, SGCs can clearly communicate research evidence to strengthen evidence-informed policy engagement.
• Increase dissemination of research findings and networking opportunities to help maximise the visibility and impact of funded research.
• Increase media coverage of research findings by collaborating with science journalists across Africa. Outcomes from partnerships with SGCs are regularly featured in national media and on the SGCI website. A dedicated WhatsApp group and journalist database support ongoing information exchange and researcher access.

By enhancing strategic communications and knowledge translation, SGCs are well positioned to promote the adoption and impact of new research across Africa. This strengthens the role of SGCs as key actors in Africa’s STI ecosystem, driving long-term impact and socioeconomic development.