Mobilizing the African Research Community to Respond to COVID-19.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the stark need for African institutions of higher education that can efficiently generate and transmit knowledge in times of crisis. Now more than ever, scientists and social scientists must come together to generate policy-relevant research.
To fill this vital need, African researchers are forming a Pan-African Scientific Research Council on the premise that “Research is not a luxury, but rather a survival strategy.” The Council was initiated by Leonard Wantchekon, a Professor of Politics at Princeton University and the Founder and President of African School of Economics (ASE), as part of his contribution to the ongoing global campaign to generate a robust and enduring international response to the Pandemic, including the letters to G20 country leaders on March 26 and April 7 by several economists and world leaders. From the building block of ASE’s strong institutional partnership with the Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, we are establishing a network of scholars and institutional partnerships across Africa and the Diaspora.
In the short run, the Council will conduct original scientific and social science research focused on helping governments and societies respond to the novel coronavirus. We have already set up collaborative research initiatives involving epidemiologists, biochemists, biologists, and biostatisticians on one hand, and sociologists, economists, and other social scientists on the other. Research topics include the epidemiology and spread of the virus; the short- and long-term economic impact of the coronavirus on households, firms, and labor markets; and the implications for social cohesion, violence, and governance. The goal is to develop research-driven recommendations that address both the health risks posed by the pandemic and its externalities for African economies, social cohesion, and governance. The multidisciplinary research will strive to identify policies that build long-term resilience and focus on vulnerable groups, including workers in the informal sector, women and children. Public and policy engagement strategy with governments, civil society organizations and the general public will maximize the impact of these findings.
Because the need for synergies between the sciences and social sciences is not episodic but enduring, the Pan-African Scientific Research Council will be a lasting body capable of responding to future crises. In the medium- and long-term, the Council will expand its activities to address a range of current and potential challenges requiring science-driven responses, including food security, climate change, threats to biodiversity and political conflicts. An endowment will be built to support cutting-edge, and policy-relevant research led by Council affiliates. Capacity building efforts will focus on increasing the qualifications and gender diversity of the next generation of African scholars.
We would like to invite all active Africa-focused scientists and social scientists to join these efforts. A Zoom-based launch meeting will allow for the finalization of the mission statement, election of Council leadership, and the coordination of subsequent activities.
To apply for participation in the June 6, 2020 kick-off meeting, please indicate your interest using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/uZpHrKVyFCnJywE68. Preliminary members and partner organizations are listed below.
Appendix: Lead Institution, Academic Partners and Members
LEAD INSTITUTION
African School of Economics (ASE), Benin and Côte d’Ivoire
ACADEMIC PARTNERS
Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Institut Régional de Santé Publique (IRSP), Benin
THINK TANKS AND NGOs
Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), Nigeria
Groupe de Recherche et d’Analyse Appliquées pour le Développement (GRAAD), Burkina Faso
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), South Africa
HEALTH SCIENCES AND BIOSTATISTICS
Dr. Edgard Valéry Adjogoua, Virology – Head of the Epidemic Virus Department at Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Thierry Armel Adoukonou, Epidemiology, Professor and Director of the Ecole Nationale des Techniciens en Santé publique et Surveillance Épidémiologique (ENATSE) and École Nationale de Statistique, de Planification et de Démographie (ENSPD), Benin
Dr. A. Kofi Amegah, Biomedical Sciences and Public Health – Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Dr. Armand Achy Brou, Medical Sciences, Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Bassirou Chitou, Biostatistics – Dean of Internationalization and Research Operations at African School of Economics, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Négnorogo Coulibaly, Medical Entomology – UREF Parasitologie et Ecologie Parasitaire, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Tenena Jean Coulibaly, Epidemiology – Basel University and Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Switzerland and Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Valerie Carole MBengue Gbonon, Biology – Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Hervé Kadjo, Immunology, Biology – Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Yolaine Ahanhanzo Glele, Epidemiology – Researcher at IRSP, Benin
Dr. Fernand Guedou, Epidemiology and Microbiology, Benin
Dr. Bertin Guede Kipre, Chemistry – Senior Researcher at Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Kouamé Kouadio, Environmental Sciences, Epidemiology – Researcher at Institut Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Jules-Clement Assob Nguedia, Health Sciences – Professor at University of Buea, Cameroon
Dr. Marian Asantwa Nkansah, Environmental Chemistry– Senior Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
Dr Elaine Nsoesie, Computational Epidemiology – Assistant Professor at Boston University, Cameroun, USA
Dr. Modeste Nzi, Applied Mathematics and Statistics – Vice Dean at University of Cocody, UFR de Mathématiques et Informatique, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Edgard-Marius Ouendo, Public Health – Professor and Director of the IRSP, Benin
Dr. Kankoé Sallah, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics – Researcher at Aix-Marseille Université, Togo and France
Dr. Eric Joel Tchetgen Tchetgen, Statistics – Luddy Family President’s Distinguished Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Cameroon and USA
Dr. Richard Tia, Computer Modeling Chemistry – Senior Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Dr. Leonard Wantchekon, Economics and Political Science – President and Founder of African School of Economics; Professor of Politics and International Affairs and Associated Faculty in Economics at Princeton University, Benin and USA
Dr. Sam Aguey, Economics – Assistant Professor at ASE and Dean of Graduate Studies, Togo and Benin
Dr. Alban Alphonse Ahoure, Economics – Acting Director at the Cellule d’Analyse de Politiques Economiques du CIRES (CAPEC); Associate Professor of Economics, University FHB, Cote d’Ivoire
Dr. Francis Akindes, Sociology – Professor of Sociology at Alassane Ouattara University, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin
Dr. Komi Ameganvi, Macroeconomics – Macroeconomist at the BCEAO, Senegal
Dr. Francis Annan, Economics – Assistant Professor at Georgia State University, Ghana and USA
Dr. Belinda Archibong, Economics, Assistant Professor of Economics at Barnard College, Columbia University, Nigeria and USA
Dr. Elizabeth Asiedu, Economics – Professor of Economics at the University of Kansas, Ghana and USA
Dr. John Ataguba, Health Economics – Associate Professor at University of Cape Town, South Africa
Dr. Kinda Badini, Sociology – Lecturer at Université Joseph Ki Zerbo de Ouagadougo, Burkina Faso
Dr. Raouf Boucekkine, Economics – Professor at Aix Marseille University, Algeria, France
Dr. Moussa Blimpo, Economics – Senior Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist for the Africa Region (AFRCE) at the World Bank, Togo and USA
Dr. Sarah Brierley, Political Science – Assistant Professor, London School of Economics, Ghana, U.K.
Dr. Jean Marcelin Brou, Economics – Senior Lecturer at Université de Felix Houphouet Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Carolyn Chisada, Economics – Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Pretoria, Zimbabwe and South Africa
Dr. Matthew Clance, Economics – Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Dr Taryn Dinkelman, Economics, Associate Professor, Notre Dame, South Africa, USA.
Dr. Yazid Dissou, Economics – Professor, University of Ottawa, Benin and Canada
Dr. Yvette Oboni Doubogan, Sociology – Assistant Professor, University of Parakou, Benin
Dr. Habiba Djebbari, Economics – Associate Professor at Aix-Marseille University, Algeria and France
Dr. Johan Fourie, Economics – Associate Professor of Economics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Dr. Mesay Gebresilasse, Economics– Assistant Professor at Amherst College, Ethiopia and USA
Dr. Godlonton, Susan, Economics, Assistant Professor, Williams College, South Africa and USA
Dr. Kwabena Gyimah-Brempong, Economics – Professor at University of South Florida and National Science Foundation, Ghana and USA
Dr. James Habyarimana, Economics – Associate Professor of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Uganda and USA
Dr. Ian Heffernan, Economics – Assistant Professor at ASE and Research Director of the Institute for Empirical Research in Political Economy, Canada, USA (Benin)
Dr. Romain Houssa, Economics – Professor at University of Namur, Benin and Belgium
Dr. Harounan Kazianga, Economics – Professor at Oklahoma State University, Burkina Faso and USA
Marlène Koffi, Economics– PhD candidate in Economics at University of Montreal, Côte d’Ivoire and Canada
Dr. Illenin Kondo, Economics – Assistant Professor at the University of Notre Dame, Togo and USA
Dr. Monique Ouassa Kouaro, Sociology – Maître de Conférences at Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Dr. Gountiéni Damien Lankoandé, Economics – Researcher at GRAAD, Burkina Faso
Dr. Malose Langa, Psychology – Senior Research Associate at CSVR; Associate Professor. at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Dr. Césaire Meh, Economics – Senior Research Officer of Economic and Financial Research at the Bank of Canada, Côte d’Ivoire and Canada
Dr. Ameet Morjaria, Economics, – Assistant Professor, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Tanzania, USA
Dr. Ismael Mourifié, Economics – Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Côte d’Ivoire and Canada
Dr. Victor Murinde – Finance, AXA Professor of Global Finance and Director of the Centre for Global Finance at SOAS University of London, U.K.
Dr. Karim Nchare, Economics– Assistant Professor at African School of Economics, Cameroon, Benin and USA
Dr. Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Economics – Assistant Professor of Economics at NYU Stern, Senegal and USA
Dr. Leonce Ndikumana, Economics – Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Burundi and USA
Dr. Nicky Nicholls, Economics – Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Dr. Pierre Nguimkeu, Economiics – Associate Professor at Georgia State University, Cameroon and USA
Dr. Gabor Nyeki, Economics – Assistant Professor at ASE, Hungary, USA (Benin)
Dr. George Ofosu, Political Science – Assistant Professor at London School of Economics, Ghana and U.K.
Dr. Chinny Ogunro, Health Management, Director of Health Research at CSEA, Nigeria
Dr. Chidozie Okoye, Economist – Associate Professor at Dalhousie University, Nigeria and Canada
Dr. Oyebola Okunogbe, Economics – Economist in the Development Research Group of the World Bank, Nigeria and USA
Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Economics – Executive Director of CSEA, Nigeria
Dr. Ken Opalo, Political Science– Assistant Professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Kenya and USA
Dr. Una Osili, Economics – Associate Dean for Research and International Programs; Professor of Economics and Philanthropic Studies; Nigeria and USA
Dr. Sophie Osotimehin, Economics – Assistant Professor at the University of Quebec at Montreal, Nigeria, France, Canada
Dr. Valerie Ouedraogo Rouamba, Sociology – Maître de Conférence at Université Joseph Ki Zerbo de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Dr. Roland Pongou, Economics – Associate Professor at University of Ottawa, Cameroon and Canada
Dr. Cheikh Sadibou Sakho, Anthropology and Sociology –Associate Professor, Université Gaston Berger de Saint Louis, Senegal
Dr. Martin Sawadogo, Economics – Researcher at GRAAD, Burkina Faso
Dr. Kacana Sipangule Khadjavi, Economics – Research Fellow, Kiel University, Zambia and Germany
Dr. Issouf Soumaré, Finance – Professor at Laval University, Cote d’Ivoire and Canada
Dr. Hugo van der Merwe, Conflict Analysis and Resolution – Director of Research at CSVR; Co-Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Transitional Justice, South Africa
Dr. Marijke Verpoorten, Economics – Associate Professor at University of Antwerp, Benin and Belgium
Dr. Mwangi Wa Githinji, Economics – Associate Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Kenya and USA
Dr. Eleni Yitbarek, Economics – Senior Lecturer in Economics at University of Pretoria, Ethiopia and South Africa
