The document discusses challenges and lessons learned from the ILRI EcoZD project, which built EcoHealth capacity and applied research in Southeast Asia focused on zoonotic emerging infectious diseases. It provides an overview of EcoHealth principles and pillars, describes the EcoZD project approach and case studies, and discusses startup challenges, qualitative research challenges, and how the EcoHealth approach added value to case studies like optimizing rabies control in Bali through multidisciplinary research.
Research in the CGIAR: An urgent need for systems analysis and more integrati...ILRI
Presented by Anne-Marie Izac (CGIAR Consortium) at the Livestock and Fish Expert Workshop on Systems Analysis for Value Chain Transformation, Amsterdam, 19 November 2014
Developing the India smallholder dairy value chain impact pathway(s) ILRI
Presented by Michael Kidoido at the Workshop on Smallholder Dairy Value Chain Transformation in Bihar—Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward, Patna, India, 1-2 August 2014
Capacity building in EcoHealth: Experiences and evaluation of training using ...ILRI
The document discusses capacity building in an EcoHealth approach using a learning-by-doing model. It describes training conducted within the EcoZD project in Southeast Asia between academic and non-academic partners. The project aimed to foster transdisciplinary collaboration on priority zoonotic diseases through hands-on research experience. Challenges included adopting a new paradigm and limited initial capacity, while solutions involved mentoring and establishing EcoHealth resource centers for continued training. Outcomes were measured using participatory tools to assess uptake of EcoHealth principles by project teams and stakeholders.
The document discusses operational research (OR) studies being conducted by MCHIP grantees to evaluate different community health approaches and build the evidence base. It notes the challenges in evaluating complex community programs using traditional study designs. The grantees are exploring a variety of research topics using formats ranging from formative studies to cluster randomized trials. Examples include studies evaluating combined homestead food production and nutrition actions in Nepal, and a community financing scheme for midwives in Chitral district. The role of MCHIP is to provide guidance and support to ensure the OR studies are focused and can be implemented practically within the projects.
Ecosystem approaches to the better management of zoonotic emerging infectious...ILRI
This document summarizes the EcoZD project, which aims to build capacity for managing zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia using an ecosystems approach. It describes the project's inception focusing on capacity building and risk assessment. Over time, the project adapted to emphasize a learning-by-doing approach through country-specific research on priority zoonoses. It also established EcoHealth Resource Centers at universities in Thailand and Indonesia to provide training, research, knowledge sharing and advocacy for an ecosystems approach to health.
Participatory agricultural research in CGIAR: Challenges and opportunities ILRI
Presented by Beth Cullen and Katherine Snyder at the Expert meeting on participatory agricultural research: Approaches, design and evaluation, Oxford, 9-13 December 2013
Assessing societal impact: what have we learned from the UK REF?ORCID, Inc
The document summarizes what was learned from assessing research impact as part of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014. Three key lessons learned were: 1) Preparing impact assessments led universities to change practices like implementing impact strategies and tracking impact evidence; 2) The impact assessment process generally worked well but could be improved, such as allowing more nuanced scoring; 3) The REF revealed diverse impacts across all fields and generated insights into how high quality research leads to impacts.
Research in the CGIAR: An urgent need for systems analysis and more integrati...ILRI
Presented by Anne-Marie Izac (CGIAR Consortium) at the Livestock and Fish Expert Workshop on Systems Analysis for Value Chain Transformation, Amsterdam, 19 November 2014
Developing the India smallholder dairy value chain impact pathway(s) ILRI
Presented by Michael Kidoido at the Workshop on Smallholder Dairy Value Chain Transformation in Bihar—Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward, Patna, India, 1-2 August 2014
Capacity building in EcoHealth: Experiences and evaluation of training using ...ILRI
The document discusses capacity building in an EcoHealth approach using a learning-by-doing model. It describes training conducted within the EcoZD project in Southeast Asia between academic and non-academic partners. The project aimed to foster transdisciplinary collaboration on priority zoonotic diseases through hands-on research experience. Challenges included adopting a new paradigm and limited initial capacity, while solutions involved mentoring and establishing EcoHealth resource centers for continued training. Outcomes were measured using participatory tools to assess uptake of EcoHealth principles by project teams and stakeholders.
The document discusses operational research (OR) studies being conducted by MCHIP grantees to evaluate different community health approaches and build the evidence base. It notes the challenges in evaluating complex community programs using traditional study designs. The grantees are exploring a variety of research topics using formats ranging from formative studies to cluster randomized trials. Examples include studies evaluating combined homestead food production and nutrition actions in Nepal, and a community financing scheme for midwives in Chitral district. The role of MCHIP is to provide guidance and support to ensure the OR studies are focused and can be implemented practically within the projects.
Ecosystem approaches to the better management of zoonotic emerging infectious...ILRI
This document summarizes the EcoZD project, which aims to build capacity for managing zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia using an ecosystems approach. It describes the project's inception focusing on capacity building and risk assessment. Over time, the project adapted to emphasize a learning-by-doing approach through country-specific research on priority zoonoses. It also established EcoHealth Resource Centers at universities in Thailand and Indonesia to provide training, research, knowledge sharing and advocacy for an ecosystems approach to health.
Participatory agricultural research in CGIAR: Challenges and opportunities ILRI
Presented by Beth Cullen and Katherine Snyder at the Expert meeting on participatory agricultural research: Approaches, design and evaluation, Oxford, 9-13 December 2013
Assessing societal impact: what have we learned from the UK REF?ORCID, Inc
The document summarizes what was learned from assessing research impact as part of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014. Three key lessons learned were: 1) Preparing impact assessments led universities to change practices like implementing impact strategies and tracking impact evidence; 2) The impact assessment process generally worked well but could be improved, such as allowing more nuanced scoring; 3) The REF revealed diverse impacts across all fields and generated insights into how high quality research leads to impacts.
This document discusses fostering research for policy and practitioners through cohort and longitudinal studies. It provides an overview of CIFF's mission and strategic priority areas. CIFF seeks transformational impact through a systematic approach across sectors like education, nutrition, health, and climate change. CIFF currently has a portfolio of 57 investments totaling $560 million spread across innovation, pilot programs, delivery at scale, and systems change. The document discusses challenges in achieving scale and uptake of research findings, and how CIFF is approaching these challenges through clear theories of change, cost evaluations, communication of evidence, and partnerships.
Innovations-Investment, Processes, and Outcomes_Kureshy_5.11.11CORE Group
This document discusses USAID's Child Survival and Health Grants Program (CSHGP) and its focus on innovation and operations research from 2008 to 2011. The CSHGP partnered with 14 NGOs across 16 countries to test innovations to improve and scale up high-impact maternal and child health interventions in vulnerable communities. The program aimed to foster cross-learning among innovators and generate credible evidence to inform policies and programs. Key areas of innovation included new community platforms, integration approaches, and technologies to strengthen health systems and increase access to interventions.
Contributing to evidence-based policy making: IPMS approachILRI
This document discusses the goals, objectives, and approach of the IPMS (Innovation Platform for Market-oriented Smallholder Agriculture) project in Ethiopia. The project aims to strengthen agricultural productivity, production, and rural development through market-oriented innovations. It will do this by developing gender-sensitive knowledge management systems and institutional capacity, introducing relevant technologies and market linkages, and promoting successful innovations. The project will operate through pilot areas and focus on communication, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based policy influence.
Challenges of using a mix-methods design to study a complex health interventi...valéry ridde
Presentation realised for an organised session on Application and challenges to the use of mixed methods in health systems
research, held at HSR 2016, the Fourth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, Vancouver, 14-18 november 2016.
Authors: Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay, Manuela De Allegri, Valéry Ridde
Implementing a mixed-methods protocol in impact evaluation: challenges and op...valéry ridde
Presentation realised for an organised session on Application and challenges to the use of mixed methods in health systems research, held at HSR 2016, the Fourth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, Vancouver, 14-18 november 2016.
Author: Manuela De Allegri
EcoZD research units: Bridges and barriers to integrative research approachesILRI
This document discusses eight EcoZD research units in Southeast Asia that aim to improve integrative research approaches. It identifies both bridges and barriers to transdisciplinary collaboration. Key barriers include hierarchical structures and rigid reporting processes, while bridges include expanding stakeholder participation, opening information sharing, and securing senior leadership buy-in for long-term collaborative projects. The document provides strategies for research units to implement new structures and incentives, change organizational culture, and mitigate hindering or harness enabling factors to move towards paradigm shifts and better EcoHealth outcomes.
Supporting the use of evidence by policy makers in LMIC: the evidence-informe...cmaverga
The document discusses efforts to strengthen the use of research evidence in health policymaking in low and middle income countries. It outlines challenges in linking research to policy, including research not being valued, relevant, or easy to use by policymakers. It then describes Evidence-Informed Policy Networks (EVIPNet) supported by WHO to address these challenges. EVIPNet supports multi-faceted partnerships in various regions/countries to improve the uptake of research in policy. Progress and activities of EVIPNet partnerships in different areas are then outlined.
Intentional stakeholder outreach using Outcome Mapping: Ecosystem approaches ...ILRI
Presented by Korapin Tohtubtiang, Rainer Assé, Fred Unger, Jeffrey Gilbert and Delia Grace at the 2014 EcoHealth conference, Montreal, Canada, 11-15 August 2014.
A presentation by Rachel Hinton as part of the Cohort Research for Programme and Policy panel discussion at the International Symposium on Cohort and Longitudinal Studies in Developing Contexts, UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence, Italy 13-15 October 2014
Magnus Liungman: RCTs in complex settings Nuffield Trust
Magnus Liungman and Dr Gustaf Edgren present on the lessons learned from developing a healthcare prevention intervention for frequent emergency department visitors.
Research impact in higher education is important for three main reasons: 1) to monitor and manage university performance and understand contributions to society, 2) to demonstrate accountability to stakeholders and taxpayers for public funding, and 3) to inform funding decisions by showing socioeconomic value. The UK Research Excellence Framework assesses 20% of funding based on impact case studies describing how research has benefited society or the economy. While impact is difficult to measure due to time lags and other factors, case studies provide qualitative evidence of influence on policy, products, services and public awareness.
A presentation by Respichius Mitti as part of the Practicalities of Cohort and Longitudinal Research panel discussion at the International Symposium on Cohort and Longitudinal Studies in Developing Contexts, UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence, Italy 13-15 October 2014
This document describes a grant program in the Netherlands called "More Knowledge with Fewer Animals" that funds research projects aiming to replace, reduce or refine the use of animals in experiments. It has three main modules: 1) Developing animal-free research techniques through projects studying diseases like cancer using multi-disciplinary collaborations. 2) Encouraging publication of negative results from animal studies and use of reporting guidelines. 3) Conducting systematic reviews of animal experiments to identify knowledge gaps and assess proposed research. The program emphasizes open access publication of results and implementing findings to maximize knowledge gained from fewer animals.
Laura Eyre and Martin Marshall: Researchers in residence Nuffield Trust
Laura Eyre, Research Associate and Martin Marshall, Professor of Healthcare Improvement at UCL give an inside perspective on moving improvement research closer to practice.
This document discusses monitoring and evaluation concepts for family planning programs. It begins by outlining session objectives related to applying M&E frameworks, indicators, and issues to family planning programs from a post-Cairo perspective. It then provides an overview of topics to be covered including family planning frameworks, implications of the Cairo agenda, indicators like contraceptive prevalence and unmet need, monitoring quality of care, and linkages between family planning and HIV. The document reviews conceptual frameworks for understanding factors influencing fertility and family planning supply. It discusses applying these frameworks for M&E by examining inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Specific indicators, data sources, and issues related to monitoring quality of care, contraceptive prevalence, unmet need,
Bottlenecks, barriers, and solutions: Results from multicountry consultations...WaterAid
Dr. Shamim A Qazi: Bottlenecks, barriers, and solutions: Results from multicountry consultations focused on reduction of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths
World Health Organization
Geneva
As presented at Launch of The Lancet Series on Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health - 12 April 2013
In support of the UNICEF & WHO Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea
View the film accompanying the presentation at:
www.wateraid.org/news/news/global-action-plan-for-pneumonia-and-diarrhoea
Lessons learned in using process tracing for evaluationMEASURE Evaluation
Access the recording for this Data for Impact (D4I) webinar at https://www.data4impactproject.org/lessons-learned-in-using-process-tracing-for-evaluation/
This document discusses fostering research for policy and practitioners through cohort and longitudinal studies. It provides an overview of CIFF's mission and strategic priority areas. CIFF seeks transformational impact through a systematic approach across sectors like education, nutrition, health, and climate change. CIFF currently has a portfolio of 57 investments totaling $560 million spread across innovation, pilot programs, delivery at scale, and systems change. The document discusses challenges in achieving scale and uptake of research findings, and how CIFF is approaching these challenges through clear theories of change, cost evaluations, communication of evidence, and partnerships.
Innovations-Investment, Processes, and Outcomes_Kureshy_5.11.11CORE Group
This document discusses USAID's Child Survival and Health Grants Program (CSHGP) and its focus on innovation and operations research from 2008 to 2011. The CSHGP partnered with 14 NGOs across 16 countries to test innovations to improve and scale up high-impact maternal and child health interventions in vulnerable communities. The program aimed to foster cross-learning among innovators and generate credible evidence to inform policies and programs. Key areas of innovation included new community platforms, integration approaches, and technologies to strengthen health systems and increase access to interventions.
Contributing to evidence-based policy making: IPMS approachILRI
This document discusses the goals, objectives, and approach of the IPMS (Innovation Platform for Market-oriented Smallholder Agriculture) project in Ethiopia. The project aims to strengthen agricultural productivity, production, and rural development through market-oriented innovations. It will do this by developing gender-sensitive knowledge management systems and institutional capacity, introducing relevant technologies and market linkages, and promoting successful innovations. The project will operate through pilot areas and focus on communication, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based policy influence.
Challenges of using a mix-methods design to study a complex health interventi...valéry ridde
Presentation realised for an organised session on Application and challenges to the use of mixed methods in health systems
research, held at HSR 2016, the Fourth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, Vancouver, 14-18 november 2016.
Authors: Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay, Manuela De Allegri, Valéry Ridde
Implementing a mixed-methods protocol in impact evaluation: challenges and op...valéry ridde
Presentation realised for an organised session on Application and challenges to the use of mixed methods in health systems research, held at HSR 2016, the Fourth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, Vancouver, 14-18 november 2016.
Author: Manuela De Allegri
EcoZD research units: Bridges and barriers to integrative research approachesILRI
This document discusses eight EcoZD research units in Southeast Asia that aim to improve integrative research approaches. It identifies both bridges and barriers to transdisciplinary collaboration. Key barriers include hierarchical structures and rigid reporting processes, while bridges include expanding stakeholder participation, opening information sharing, and securing senior leadership buy-in for long-term collaborative projects. The document provides strategies for research units to implement new structures and incentives, change organizational culture, and mitigate hindering or harness enabling factors to move towards paradigm shifts and better EcoHealth outcomes.
Supporting the use of evidence by policy makers in LMIC: the evidence-informe...cmaverga
The document discusses efforts to strengthen the use of research evidence in health policymaking in low and middle income countries. It outlines challenges in linking research to policy, including research not being valued, relevant, or easy to use by policymakers. It then describes Evidence-Informed Policy Networks (EVIPNet) supported by WHO to address these challenges. EVIPNet supports multi-faceted partnerships in various regions/countries to improve the uptake of research in policy. Progress and activities of EVIPNet partnerships in different areas are then outlined.
Intentional stakeholder outreach using Outcome Mapping: Ecosystem approaches ...ILRI
Presented by Korapin Tohtubtiang, Rainer Assé, Fred Unger, Jeffrey Gilbert and Delia Grace at the 2014 EcoHealth conference, Montreal, Canada, 11-15 August 2014.
A presentation by Rachel Hinton as part of the Cohort Research for Programme and Policy panel discussion at the International Symposium on Cohort and Longitudinal Studies in Developing Contexts, UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence, Italy 13-15 October 2014
Magnus Liungman: RCTs in complex settings Nuffield Trust
Magnus Liungman and Dr Gustaf Edgren present on the lessons learned from developing a healthcare prevention intervention for frequent emergency department visitors.
Research impact in higher education is important for three main reasons: 1) to monitor and manage university performance and understand contributions to society, 2) to demonstrate accountability to stakeholders and taxpayers for public funding, and 3) to inform funding decisions by showing socioeconomic value. The UK Research Excellence Framework assesses 20% of funding based on impact case studies describing how research has benefited society or the economy. While impact is difficult to measure due to time lags and other factors, case studies provide qualitative evidence of influence on policy, products, services and public awareness.
A presentation by Respichius Mitti as part of the Practicalities of Cohort and Longitudinal Research panel discussion at the International Symposium on Cohort and Longitudinal Studies in Developing Contexts, UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence, Italy 13-15 October 2014
This document describes a grant program in the Netherlands called "More Knowledge with Fewer Animals" that funds research projects aiming to replace, reduce or refine the use of animals in experiments. It has three main modules: 1) Developing animal-free research techniques through projects studying diseases like cancer using multi-disciplinary collaborations. 2) Encouraging publication of negative results from animal studies and use of reporting guidelines. 3) Conducting systematic reviews of animal experiments to identify knowledge gaps and assess proposed research. The program emphasizes open access publication of results and implementing findings to maximize knowledge gained from fewer animals.
Laura Eyre and Martin Marshall: Researchers in residence Nuffield Trust
Laura Eyre, Research Associate and Martin Marshall, Professor of Healthcare Improvement at UCL give an inside perspective on moving improvement research closer to practice.
This document discusses monitoring and evaluation concepts for family planning programs. It begins by outlining session objectives related to applying M&E frameworks, indicators, and issues to family planning programs from a post-Cairo perspective. It then provides an overview of topics to be covered including family planning frameworks, implications of the Cairo agenda, indicators like contraceptive prevalence and unmet need, monitoring quality of care, and linkages between family planning and HIV. The document reviews conceptual frameworks for understanding factors influencing fertility and family planning supply. It discusses applying these frameworks for M&E by examining inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Specific indicators, data sources, and issues related to monitoring quality of care, contraceptive prevalence, unmet need,
Bottlenecks, barriers, and solutions: Results from multicountry consultations...WaterAid
Dr. Shamim A Qazi: Bottlenecks, barriers, and solutions: Results from multicountry consultations focused on reduction of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths
World Health Organization
Geneva
As presented at Launch of The Lancet Series on Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health - 12 April 2013
In support of the UNICEF & WHO Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea
View the film accompanying the presentation at:
www.wateraid.org/news/news/global-action-plan-for-pneumonia-and-diarrhoea
Lessons learned in using process tracing for evaluationMEASURE Evaluation
Access the recording for this Data for Impact (D4I) webinar at https://www.data4impactproject.org/lessons-learned-in-using-process-tracing-for-evaluation/
EcoZD and other EcoHealth/One Health initiatives in Southeast Asia: Lessons a...ILRI
The document summarizes an EcoHealth and One Health workshop presentation on lessons learned from regional EcoHealth/One Health (EH/OH) initiatives in Southeast Asia. It discusses:
1) The ILRI EcoZD project which used an EH approach to study zoonotic diseases across 6 countries, establishing 2 EH resource centers.
2) Challenges faced by EcoZD country research teams in applying an interdisciplinary EH approach and lessons learned.
3) A comparison of 6 major EH/OH initiatives in Southeast Asia since 2006 which generally focused on capacity building, networking and research but with limited impact assessments and scaling.
Ecohealth perspectives: From Ecohealth theory to practice (case studies)ILRI
This document summarizes an Ecohealth workshop presentation on moving from Ecohealth theory to practice through case studies. It begins with an outline of the presentation topics, including a history of Ecohealth and One Health, key Ecohealth principles, and experiences from case studies on brucellosis and salmonellosis. It then discusses the Ecohealth framework developed for a case study on brucellosis and toxoplasmosis in Yunnan, China, which mapped stakeholders and developed qualitative and quantitative research components. It highlights some challenges faced in the study including gaining team consensus on research topics, lack of experience with Ecohealth approaches, perceptions of qualitative research, and fully synthesizing mixed methods results. The presentation evaluates the case
This document summarizes an innovative model for longitudinal, interprofessional learning focused on caring for older adults. It recommends that policies shift away from standardized "best practices" and instead emphasize local improvement through developmental evaluation. Policies should support integrated, cross-sector learning and outcomes focused on patient-centered care rather than telling practitioners what to do. Educational approaches should emphasize longitudinal, team-based learning across health and social care sectors.
This paper proposes an interdisciplinary matrix tool to help evaluate One Health initiatives in a more holistic and interdisciplinary way. The matrix maps inputs (starting points) and outputs (effects) across different health sectors to better understand complex problems and relationships. It is being tested by the Network for Evaluation of One Health, an interdisciplinary group working to develop a One Health evaluation framework through collaborative teamwork routines. The goal is to help break down disciplinary silos and integrate diverse perspectives in evaluating One Health programs and policies.
EcoHealth-One Health resource centres in Thailand and Indonesia: Establishmen...ILRI
Presentation by Fred Unger, Lertrak Srikitjakarn, Wayan T Artama, Tongkorn
Meeyam, Dyah Ayu Widiasih, Jeffrey Gilbert and Delia Grace at the Ecohealth 2014 conference, Montreal, Canada, 11-15 August 2014.
Understanding Why, When, and What it Will Take to do Operations and/or Implem...CORE Group
Here are some issues with the objectives and research questions:
- The objectives are not specific enough and focus more on methods rather than the purpose of the research.
- The questions make assumptions that community beliefs are "wrong" rather than trying to understand perspectives.
- Questions 1.1 and 1.2 for the formative research objective are too leading and specific rather than open-ended to understand barriers.
- Objective 2 aims to "prove" effectiveness rather than objectively measure impact, and the questions only measure outcomes rather than factors influencing them.
The objectives and questions should be more open-ended, focus on understanding rather than proving assumptions, and aim to inform program improvement rather than prove effectiveness.
Growing a Peer Review Culture among Graduate Students (WCCE 2009)Vinícius M. Kern
Preprint @ http://tinyurl.com/bsp7bg, World Conference on Computers in Education
Abstract: Usual processes for pursuing education excellence in a graduate program are candidate selection, coursework, research, and thesis defense. In this paper, we present a complementary approach: the growing of a peer review culture among graduate students. We instruct first-year masters’ and doctoral students on principles for preparing a thesis proposal. Students present their proposals in collective discussion sessions with feedback from professors. The students then submit their proposals through a web interface and are instructed on the role they will play next – of anonymous referees of their peers’ proposals. The referee reports and general statistics are made available to all participating students and advisors. Updated proposals are submitted to an annual workshop open to all participating students and advisors. About 60 students take part in this annual series of seminars with peer review and workshop, generating 60 theses proposals and about 180 referee reports, 3 for each proposal. Students and their advisors receive detailed feedback on individual participation as author and referee. The main strength of the experience is the opportunity to assimilate the techniques of objective criticism and to reflect about the quality of own and others’ work. The paper also outlines research and development issues related to our effort to enhance the peer review culture among graduate students.
Sustainability science aims to integrate knowledge from different disciplines to address complex environmental and social problems, in contrast to traditional science which focuses on individual disciplines. It emphasizes co-producing knowledge with stakeholders, addressing real-world problems, and finding holistic solutions through systems thinking. The document discusses challenges with traditional approaches and how sustainability science facilitates more interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research to better understand human-environment interactions.
The document reviews recent research on instructional practices for teaching evidence-based practice to pre-registration allied health students. It finds that the five recommendations from Thomas et al. (2011) have been partially implemented, including use of social constructivist and scaffolded approaches. However, prior student knowledge is often overlooked, communication skills are rarely addressed, and workplace culture can undermine apprenticeship learning. Future research needs more rigorous methods and greater involvement of clinicians and patients to improve uptake of established competencies and track changes in instructional practices over time.
The document discusses the development of an interdisciplinary sustainability program at Fairleigh Dickinson University. It describes how the curriculum draws from various disciplines like geology, meteorology, and economics to provide an integrated learning experience for students. Some challenges in developing the program included territoriality between departments and skepticism about climate change. The first courses for the new sustainability program were offered this semester.
Operations Research In MCH Programs: Measurement Challengesjehill3
The document discusses operational research (OR) studies being conducted by MCHIP grantees to evaluate different community health approaches and build the evidence base. It notes the challenges in evaluating complex community programs using traditional study designs. The grantees are exploring a variety of research topics using formats ranging from formative studies to cluster randomized trials. Examples include evaluating combined homestead food production and nutrition actions in Nepal, and a community financing scheme for midwives in Chitral district. The role of MCHIP is to provide guidance and support to ensure the OR studies are focused and can be implemented practically within the projects.
The document discusses operational research (OR) studies being conducted by MCHIP grantees to evaluate different community health approaches and build the evidence base. It notes the challenges in evaluating complex community programs using different study designs along a continuum from formative to cluster randomized trials. Several OR studies are described that examine topics like nutrition, male involvement, and community financing models using quasi-experimental and cluster randomized designs to compare interventions and contribute rigorous evidence.
Social cognitive theory is an interpersonal theory that aims to understand individual and group behavior and identify methods to modify behavior. It focuses on reciprocal determinism between personal factors, behavior, and the environment. Key concepts include observational learning, reinforcement, self-efficacy, and expectations. Diffusion of innovation theory examines how innovations spread through social systems via communication channels over time. It considers characteristics of innovations and adopter categories. Community organization theory aims to help community groups identify problems, mobilize resources, and implement strategies through consensus, capacity building, and task orientation.
Capacity building on ‘ecohealth’ in Southeast Asia – successes and challengesILRI
To address current challenges related to disease emergences in livestock and humans, new integrated approaches are needed to promote collaboration between involved actors and groups towards more effective control. Southeast Asia is considered a hotspot for diseases emergence as demonstrated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Such new approaches include the ‘ecohealth’ (EH) concept, an approach pioneered over the last decades by the International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC).
Similar to EcoHealth capacity building and applied research: Challenges and lessons learnt from ILRI EcoZD (20)
Small ruminant keepers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards peste des ...ILRI
Presentation by Guy Ilboudo, Abel Sènabgè Biguezoton, Cheick Abou Kounta Sidibé, Modou Moustapha Lo, Zoë Campbell and Michel Dione at the 6th Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Research and Expertise Networks (PPR-GREN) annual meeting, Bengaluru, India, 28–30 November 2023.
Small ruminant keepers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards peste des ...ILRI
Poster by Guy Ilboudo, Abel Sènabgè Biguezoton, Cheick Abou Kounta Sidibé, Modou Moustapha Lo, Zoë Campbell and Michel Dione presented at the 6th Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Research and Expertise Networks (PPR-GREN) annual meeting, Bengaluru, India, 29 November 2023.
A training, certification and marketing scheme for informal dairy vendors in ...ILRI
Presentation by Silvia Alonso, Jef L. Leroy, Emmanuel Muunda, Moira Donahue Angel, Emily Kilonzi, Giordano Palloni, Gideon Kiarie, Paula Dominguez-Salas and Delia Grace at the Micronutrient Forum 6th Global Conference, The Hague, Netherlands, 16 October 2023.
Milk safety and child nutrition impacts of the MoreMilk training, certificati...ILRI
Poster by Silvia Alonso, Emmanuel Muunda, Moira Donahue Angel, Emily Kilonzi, Giordano Palloni, Gideon Kiarie, Paula Dominguez-Salas, Delia Grace and Jef L. Leroy presented at the Micronutrient Forum 6th Global Conference, The Hague, Netherlands, 16 October 2023.
Preventing the next pandemic: a 12-slide primer on emerging zoonotic diseasesILRI
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help boost feelings of calmness, happiness and focus.
Preventing preventable diseases: a 12-slide primer on foodborne diseaseILRI
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help protect against mental illness and improve symptoms for those who already suffer from conditions like anxiety and depression.
Preventing a post-antibiotic era: a 12-slide primer on antimicrobial resistanceILRI
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise boosts blood flow, releases endorphins, and promotes changes in the brain which help enhance one's emotional well-being and mental clarity.
Food safety research in low- and middle-income countriesILRI
Presentation by Hung Nguyen-Viet at the first technical meeting to launch the Food Safety Working Group under the One Health Partnership framework, Hanoi, Vietnam, 28 September 2023
The Food Safety Working Group (FSWG) in Vietnam was created in 2015 at the request of the Deputy Prime Minister to address food safety issues in the country. It brings together government agencies, ministries, and development partners to facilitate joint policy dialogue and improve food safety. Over eight years of operations led by different organizations, the FSWG has contributed to various initiatives. However, it faces challenges of diminished government participation over time and dependence on active members. Going forward, it will strengthen its operations by integrating under Vietnam's One Health Partnership framework to better engage stakeholders and achieve policy impacts.
Reservoirs of pathogenic Leptospira species in UgandaILRI
Presentation by Lordrick Alinaitwe, Martin Wainaina, Salome Dürr, Clovice Kankya, Velma Kivali, James Bugeza, Martin Richter, Kristina Roesel, Annie Cook and Anne Mayer-Scholl at the University of Bern Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Symposium, Bern, Switzerland, 29 June 2023.
Assessing meat microbiological safety and associated handling practices in bu...ILRI
Presentation by Patricia Koech, Winnie Ogutu, Linnet Ochieng, Delia Grace, George Gitao, Lily Bebora, Max Korir, Florence Mutua and Arshnee Moodley at the 8th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana, 26–29 September 2023.
Ecological factors associated with abundance and distribution of mosquito vec...ILRI
Poster by Max Korir, Joel Lutomiah and Bernard Bett presented the 8th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana, 26–29 September 2023.
Practices and drivers of antibiotic use in Kenyan smallholder dairy farmsILRI
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Or: Beyond linear.
Abstract: Equivariant neural networks are neural networks that incorporate symmetries. The nonlinear activation functions in these networks result in interesting nonlinear equivariant maps between simple representations, and motivate the key player of this talk: piecewise linear representation theory.
Disclaimer: No one is perfect, so please mind that there might be mistakes and typos.
dtubbenhauer@gmail.com
Corrected slides: dtubbenhauer.com/talks.html
Phenomics assisted breeding in crop improvementIshaGoswami9
As the population is increasing and will reach about 9 billion upto 2050. Also due to climate change, it is difficult to meet the food requirement of such a large population. Facing the challenges presented by resource shortages, climate
change, and increasing global population, crop yield and quality need to be improved in a sustainable way over the coming decades. Genetic improvement by breeding is the best way to increase crop productivity. With the rapid progression of functional
genomics, an increasing number of crop genomes have been sequenced and dozens of genes influencing key agronomic traits have been identified. However, current genome sequence information has not been adequately exploited for understanding
the complex characteristics of multiple gene, owing to a lack of crop phenotypic data. Efficient, automatic, and accurate technologies and platforms that can capture phenotypic data that can
be linked to genomics information for crop improvement at all growth stages have become as important as genotyping. Thus,
high-throughput phenotyping has become the major bottleneck restricting crop breeding. Plant phenomics has been defined as the high-throughput, accurate acquisition and analysis of multi-dimensional phenotypes
during crop growing stages at the organism level, including the cell, tissue, organ, individual plant, plot, and field levels. With the rapid development of novel sensors, imaging technology,
and analysis methods, numerous infrastructure platforms have been developed for phenotyping.
BREEDING METHODS FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE.pptxRASHMI M G
Plant breeding for disease resistance is a strategy to reduce crop losses caused by disease. Plants have an innate immune system that allows them to recognize pathogens and provide resistance. However, breeding for long-lasting resistance often involves combining multiple resistance genes
The binding of cosmological structures by massless topological defectsSérgio Sacani
Assuming spherical symmetry and weak field, it is shown that if one solves the Poisson equation or the Einstein field
equations sourced by a topological defect, i.e. a singularity of a very specific form, the result is a localized gravitational
field capable of driving flat rotation (i.e. Keplerian circular orbits at a constant speed for all radii) of test masses on a thin
spherical shell without any underlying mass. Moreover, a large-scale structure which exploits this solution by assembling
concentrically a number of such topological defects can establish a flat stellar or galactic rotation curve, and can also deflect
light in the same manner as an equipotential (isothermal) sphere. Thus, the need for dark matter or modified gravity theory is
mitigated, at least in part.
Deep Behavioral Phenotyping in Systems Neuroscience for Functional Atlasing a...Ana Luísa Pinho
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) provides means to characterize brain activations in response to behavior. However, cognitive neuroscience has been limited to group-level effects referring to the performance of specific tasks. To obtain the functional profile of elementary cognitive mechanisms, the combination of brain responses to many tasks is required. Yet, to date, both structural atlases and parcellation-based activations do not fully account for cognitive function and still present several limitations. Further, they do not adapt overall to individual characteristics. In this talk, I will give an account of deep-behavioral phenotyping strategies, namely data-driven methods in large task-fMRI datasets, to optimize functional brain-data collection and improve inference of effects-of-interest related to mental processes. Key to this approach is the employment of fast multi-functional paradigms rich on features that can be well parametrized and, consequently, facilitate the creation of psycho-physiological constructs to be modelled with imaging data. Particular emphasis will be given to music stimuli when studying high-order cognitive mechanisms, due to their ecological nature and quality to enable complex behavior compounded by discrete entities. I will also discuss how deep-behavioral phenotyping and individualized models applied to neuroimaging data can better account for the subject-specific organization of domain-general cognitive systems in the human brain. Finally, the accumulation of functional brain signatures brings the possibility to clarify relationships among tasks and create a univocal link between brain systems and mental functions through: (1) the development of ontologies proposing an organization of cognitive processes; and (2) brain-network taxonomies describing functional specialization. To this end, tools to improve commensurability in cognitive science are necessary, such as public repositories, ontology-based platforms and automated meta-analysis tools. I will thus discuss some brain-atlasing resources currently under development, and their applicability in cognitive as well as clinical neuroscience.
Comparing Evolved Extractive Text Summary Scores of Bidirectional Encoder Rep...University of Maribor
Slides from:
11th International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (IcETRAN), Niš, 3-6 June 2024
Track: Artificial Intelligence
https://www.etran.rs/2024/en/home-english/
The ability to recreate computational results with minimal effort and actionable metrics provides a solid foundation for scientific research and software development. When people can replicate an analysis at the touch of a button using open-source software, open data, and methods to assess and compare proposals, it significantly eases verification of results, engagement with a diverse range of contributors, and progress. However, we have yet to fully achieve this; there are still many sociotechnical frictions.
Inspired by David Donoho's vision, this talk aims to revisit the three crucial pillars of frictionless reproducibility (data sharing, code sharing, and competitive challenges) with the perspective of deep software variability.
Our observation is that multiple layers — hardware, operating systems, third-party libraries, software versions, input data, compile-time options, and parameters — are subject to variability that exacerbates frictions but is also essential for achieving robust, generalizable results and fostering innovation. I will first review the literature, providing evidence of how the complex variability interactions across these layers affect qualitative and quantitative software properties, thereby complicating the reproduction and replication of scientific studies in various fields.
I will then present some software engineering and AI techniques that can support the strategic exploration of variability spaces. These include the use of abstractions and models (e.g., feature models), sampling strategies (e.g., uniform, random), cost-effective measurements (e.g., incremental build of software configurations), and dimensionality reduction methods (e.g., transfer learning, feature selection, software debloating).
I will finally argue that deep variability is both the problem and solution of frictionless reproducibility, calling the software science community to develop new methods and tools to manage variability and foster reproducibility in software systems.
Exposé invité Journées Nationales du GDR GPL 2024
What is greenhouse gasses and how many gasses are there to affect the Earth.moosaasad1975
What are greenhouse gasses how they affect the earth and its environment what is the future of the environment and earth how the weather and the climate effects.
This presentation explores a brief idea about the structural and functional attributes of nucleotides, the structure and function of genetic materials along with the impact of UV rays and pH upon them.
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Context. With a mass exceeding several 104 M⊙ and a rich and dense population of massive stars, supermassive young star clusters
represent the most massive star-forming environment that is dominated by the feedback from massive stars and gravitational interactions
among stars.
Aims. In this paper we present the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) project, which aims to investigate
the influence of the starburst environment on the formation of stars and planets, and on the evolution of both low and high mass stars.
The primary targets of this project are Westerlund 1 and 2, the closest supermassive star clusters to the Sun.
Methods. The project is based primarily on recent observations conducted with the Chandra and JWST observatories. Specifically,
the Chandra survey of Westerlund 1 consists of 36 new ACIS-I observations, nearly co-pointed, for a total exposure time of 1 Msec.
Additionally, we included 8 archival Chandra/ACIS-S observations. This paper presents the resulting catalog of X-ray sources within
and around Westerlund 1. Sources were detected by combining various existing methods, and photon extraction and source validation
were carried out using the ACIS-Extract software.
Results. The EWOCS X-ray catalog comprises 5963 validated sources out of the 9420 initially provided to ACIS-Extract, reaching a
photon flux threshold of approximately 2 × 10−8 photons cm−2
s
−1
. The X-ray sources exhibit a highly concentrated spatial distribution,
with 1075 sources located within the central 1 arcmin. We have successfully detected X-ray emissions from 126 out of the 166 known
massive stars of the cluster, and we have collected over 71 000 photons from the magnetar CXO J164710.20-455217.
EWOCS-I: The catalog of X-ray sources in Westerlund 1 from the Extended Weste...
EcoHealth capacity building and applied research: Challenges and lessons learnt from ILRI EcoZD
1. EcoHealth capacity building and applied research, challenges
& lessons learnt from ILRI EcoZD
Fred Unger, ILRI
Dec 08.12.2014
Bangkok, Pullman-Hotel
ComAcross Regional Workshop
3. Introduction: Ecohealth Theory
• IDRC’s Ecohealth Program Initiative is based on three
methodological pillars (Lebel, 1994):
– transdisciplinarity, participation, and equity.
• More recently, Charron (2012) expanded on the three
pillars of Lebel, introducing six Key Principles of
EcoHealth. Three of Charron’s principles are
substantially similar to one of the pillars introduced by
Lebel:
– Systems thinking, Knowledge to action, Transdiciplinary,
Participation, Equity, Sustainability
Ecohealth Research in Practice: Innovative applications of an ecosystem approach to health
4. System Thinking
System thinking suggests that the way to understand a
system is to examining the linkages and interactions
between the elements that make up the system
• In contrast to reductism which looks more in details of each part
• Helps to apply some order to the complex reality of health related
to the social-ecological system
System perspective: scale is important
e.g. time scale: daily routines, seasons, climate change
Challenges:
• Define boundaries of the system
• Choices between inclusiveness and feasibility based on time
skills and capacity
• ILRI EcoZD/ComAcross: review objectives and activities
Modified after Charon 2012
5. Knowledge to action
Knowledge to action refers to the idea that knowledge
generated by research is then used to improve health and
well-being through an improved environment
• Fundamental for an Ecosystem approach
• What different groups are interested to change
• Approaches are different, community versus policy makers
• Ideally research becomes an ongoing intervention process
• Knowledge moves both ways
– Researchers pushing new knowledge into policies
– Policy is requesting new knowledge from researchers
– Collaborative exchange and knowledge platforms
• Generation of unintended (positive and negative effects)
– Examples from EcoZD
Modified after Charon 2012
6. Participation
• Aims to achieve consensus and cooperation within community and
scientific and decision-making groups
– Define on who should participate and what will be there role
– Mapping of potential actors, stakeholders or groups
– Helps to identify existing barriers to change
– Can provide option for negotiating concrete steps to move forward
Reality: Farmers are often the most disadvantaged group when facing
rigid control measures
– Large scale versus backyard
– E.g. Vietnam
• Policy against small scale slaughter slots or small scale farms in
communities
• Community have positive perception on local slaughterhouses
Modified after Charon 2012
7. Transdisciplinary research
• Inclusive vision of health problems by scientists from
multiple disciplines, community and policy actors
– Evolves the integration of research methodologies and tools
across disciplines including none academics perspectives
and (local) knowledge
– From the first idea until dissemination/publication
– Wide range of skills sets are needed which are usually not part
of academic training
• Consensus building
• Facilitation …
• Communication …
• Mediation skills
Modified after Charon 2012
8. Gender and social equity
• Involves analyzing the respective roles of men and women, and
various social groups;
– Gender
– Social cultural
– Economic class
– Age
– Ethnic minorities
– Marginalised groups
Why?
• Inequity in access to health care
• Woman held major responsibility for health of their families
• Anyhow, often little power on decisions how the HH income is used
• There is a need for more gender and social analysis in EH research
Modified after Charon 2012
9. Sustainability
• As research for development EH research aims to make
ethical positive long lasting changes
• Sustainability implies that changes are environmentally
sound and socially durable
• What will remain after the lifetime of the project
• Short term needs might be not consistent with long term
process for improvement of helth
Modified after Charon 2012
10. GHGI
Ecosystem Approaches to the Better Management of Zoonotic
Emerging Infectious Diseases in Southeast Asia (EcoZD)
2007 – 2013 (++)
6 countries:
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• China (Yunnan)
11. Overview
General objective:
Increase the EcoHealth capacity in SE Asia targeting the risks
and impacts of Zoonotic Emerging Infectious Diseases
(ZEIDs) and how feasible options can be best implemented
Appraisal & Consultative Process
Scoping Study
EcoHealth Uptake, Outcome Mapping,
(ILRI – Teams & Teams to boundary partners)
• Balanced set of case studies and capacity built
• Networking
12. Summary of outputs/outcomes
Outcome Theme Output
Capacity
building
EcoHealth research:
learning by doing
Over 100 researchers in SE Asia involved
in 9 projects in 6 countries
Training courses 3 major EcoHealth courses
Short courses & lectures More than 20 lectures given
Graduate fellows PHD (1) and MSc (4)
Training in research
methodologies
Participatory learning; FGD; outcome
mapping; risk analysis
Research
disseminated
Peer-reviewed articles 6 published in international journals
5 under preparation
Presentations at
conferences
>60 presentations/posters at 14
conferences (Kunming, Maastricht ect)
Sustainable
EcoHealth
in the region
Regional institutions 2 EHRC and CENPHER supported
Training manuals Two EcoHealth training manuals
Policy
influenced
National 5 teams engaged national policy makers,
4 sets of policy briefs
Regional and international Regional symposium for policy makers
Engagement in FAO, WHO, OIE initiatives
13. Eco ZD - EH story
With the focus on zoonotic diseases initial meetings were
conducted with actors from MOH or MOA most of them not a
focus of previous EcoHealth initiatives
Introducing learning by doing EcoHealth approach
It was easier to achieve early success with partners already
experienced in EH e.g. Cambodia. More difficult but perhaps
more significant, was this with teams with almost no previous
exposure to multi-disciplinary approaches (e.g. China)
Extended period of consultation with teams of what
EcoHealth involves and how to approach research
14. Eco ZD - EH story
• Project did not come with pre-determined research
questions, there was room for adaptation in the proposal
• Our emphasis on capacity building - an approach where
teams made key research decisions and were supported in
analysis and write-up.
• Multi-year process of inter-personal relationship-building
• Mid 2010 - critically reviewed the objectives (and outcomes)
Amendments were made based on own but also reflections
of partners – 2 EHRC established
15. Start up challenges
• Identification of research teams
– Initial contacts were made with MOA & MOH due to focus
on zoonoses. Most of actors, partners had doubts on the
added value of EH.
– Easier for teams with previous EH experience
– More difficult for teams from countries with rigid top-down
institutional environment (e.g. China and South Vietnam)
Approach: Repeated consultations, sufficient time allocation,
sometimes build up on previous linkages
16. Start up challenges
Identification of a common research interest
– Often a painful and time consuming process
– Entirely left with teams, only focus on zoonoses was crucial
– Most critical in South Vietnam and China, classical silo thinking
– Who will lead & sharing of budgets
Approach: Various consultations and mentoring, EH training,
sufficient time window, ILRI facilitated the process
Indonesia: Call for proposal, submitted proposals were evaluated
by an independent expert group
CRA were processed after agreement on topic was achieved
17. Challenges
Recognition of the added value of other “none medical expertise”
(e.g. social science or socio economic)
– Teams were led by MD’s or Vets with mainly biometric background
– To work with social scientist was new for most of them
Easier: Indonesia and Thailand, as interdisciplinary collaboration
existed already
e.g. CMU Vet Fac (Thailand); or UGM-KKN, CIVAS
More challenging : China and Laos
Approach: Specific and continued mentoring by EH champions,
Training (EH, research methods, participatory tools,
outcome mapping)
18. Continued challenges
EH incorporation in the case studies – reality check
– All teams conducted research with some elements of EcoHealth
though for some it was more a bio-medical One-Health approach
– Others branded their research as EcoHealth but without major
differences from conventional veterinary public health projects
Contributing factors to challenges:
– Lack of standard definitions of EcoHealth and One-Health led
to unnecessary confusion.
– Concerns on translation of terms e.g. ‘transdisciplinary’ or
“equity” – retaining of original meaning after translation to local
languages
– Gender aspects were not recognised as important for most of the
teams, again reflecting the predominance of biomedical thinking
19. Continued challenges
Approach to address challenges:
– EH mentoring - balanced between external EH support
(experts) and recruitment of national or regional experts
– Experts covered: EH, policy translation, social science &
gender, risk assessment
– EH training courses (at least one per year)
– Monitoring of EH uptake & outcome mapping
20. EH uptake - example
Factors for succesful EH uptake
Final year of project, each team was evaluated (combined with OM)
1. Managing use of social science - for systems thinking via synthetic
interpretation of research findings
Low ability is characterized by:
limited integration of social science; limited integration of systems thinking;
minimal linkages with practice…
High ability is characterized by:
high integration of social science/ systems thinking, good transdisciplinary
integration of research studies; significant linkages with practice; …
2. Managing knowledge exchange & decision-making
3. Managing project administration – for time & resource allocation
4. Managing organizational culture & host institute norms
Evaluation: L-, L+, M-, M+, H-, H+
21. Continued challenges
• Deficits in generic research facilitation skills for some teams
– Proposal writing, analysis, budgeting, publications
• Synthesis
– Synthesize quantitative and qualitative results
– Interdisciplinary data base, not achieved!
• Policy engagement
– Mentoring by policy expert from IFPRI, 5 policy briefs
– Some teams strong in engagement of policy makers
e.g. Thailand slaughterhouse
• EH report
– Required from donor
– Document team changes in aspiration of EcoHealth, less technical
– Sometimes hard for the teams but useful to keep EH spirit in mind
23. Country Zoonoses Tool Expertise Challenge Approach
Cambodia
MOA,MOH,
NGO,
University
Diarrhea in
human and
animals
FGD, IDI,
QX, Review,
biological
sampling
MD, Vet, Socio
Econ, Social-
Science,
villagers
Disease
prioritization
Risk analysis
EH
champion
Consultant
Vietnam
2 institutes
1university
Lepto in
human and
animals
FGD, IDI,
QX, Review,
biol
sampling
MD, Vet, Socio
Econ, Social-
Science
Villagers
Disease
prioritization
Mentoring
ILRI Hanoi
Country teams & case studies
24. Country Topic Tool Expertise Challenge Solution
THL/VN
DLD, MOH,
MARD,
NIVR,
University,
Hygiene in
small scale
chicken SH
FGD, IDI,
QX,
biological
sampling
MD, Vet, Socio
Econ, Social
Science
Initial proposal
very biometric
EH
mentoring
(Fred, CMU)
Laos
DLF, PH,
University
Pig
zoonoses &
prod.
Diseases
QX,
biological
sampling
Socio Econ,
MD, Vet,
Villagers
Aligned to
another
project
(ACIAR)
Disease
prioritization
Various
consultations
(JeffG at
CIAT Loas)
Country teams & case studies
25. Eco ZD case study:
Brucellosis/Toxoplasmosis in Yunnan
”
26. Brucellosis & Toxoplasmosis
in Yunnan
1. Identification of common research topic
• Researchers from 4 different institutions with different research
priorities, e.g. AI, Toxoplasmosis, Brucellosis, M. bovis, Hepatitis
DHF ect.
Approach:
• Various meetings including stakeholders but also community
visits, some with ILRI others not
• Allocation of sufficient time (6-9 month)
• Facilitation and consensus building skills, Toxoplasmosis &
Brucellosis selected (our choice would have been probably
different)
27. Brucellosis & Toxoplasmosis
in Yunnan
2. Limited or no experience with an EH approach
• Strong silo-thinking and biometric driven research team
• Focus was on biological sampling
– Team went even to the field and collected samples before the CRA was
signed, unclear sample design and research question
• No experience with qualitative methods
Approach: Frequent visit of ILRI scientist and support by an EH
champion (Fang Jing)
Training on FGD and IDI tools
Relationship and trust building
Gained ownership by local authorities
28. Brucellosis & Toxoplasmosis
in Yunnan
3. Synthesising qualitative and quantitative research results
• Focus was on collection and analysis of biological samples and
quantitative data
• No experience with qualitative analysis
Approach: EH champion provided repeated training
First part of analysis strongly guided/done by EH
champion e.g. In depth interviews in village doctors
Further analysis done jointly (IDI, butchers)
All others done by team (IDI, village Vets) and FGD
29. Brucellosis & Toxoplasmosis
in Yunnan
Other challenges:
• Hierarchical differences between researchers
• Unfortunately the most “EH open” researcher was the
youngest and also facing EN language difficulties
• Strong deficits in paper writing (mainly due to language
barriers)
Approach: As mentioned before & identification of incentives,
paper write shop (last week)
30. Brucellosis & Toxoplasmosis
in Yunnan
Contributing factors for success:
• Highest motivated team, use of qualitative exited the team
• Invitation to national and international meetings – strong
incentive (EH researchers)
• Upcoming publication (international journal)
• Extended networking (CMU, VPHCAP, PE)
After all one of the best teams together with the Indonesian
team
31. Case studies: Yunnan team
EH principles + - Evaluation Comments
Transdiciplinary
research
Some changes within
the research team
Still biometric,
PH driven **
Participation Various actors,
groups & tools ** EH champion,
team highly
motivated
Equity/gender Ethnic minorities Gender
perspective
weak
*
Knowledge to
action
Policy brief
Policy meetings ** Sometimes lost
track as in
Chinese
System thinking EH framework Not fully
applied * Continuous
challenge
Sustainability Enhanced exchange
at village level (Vet,
PH, village heads,
party committee)
Networking
** Positive side
effects (village
toilets)
* L ** M ***H
33. Framework for China study
33
The problem:
Brucellosis &
Toxoplasmos
is in Yunnan
Public health authorities
(hospitals and local) (IDI)
•Review of existing information
•General Z knowledge
•Specific action B & T patients
•Collaboration with PH
Vet officers/stations (IDI)
•Review of existing informaton
•General Z knowledge
•Specific action B & T
•Control
•Collaboration with PH
Farmers (QX)
• Production data
•AH and disease prevention
•Reproductive disorders
•Zoonoses and OH
Past unit, milk vendors (FGD):
•Zoonoses knowledge
•Quality control
•Sanitation
•Inspection by authorities
Villagers (with/without
livestock) (FGD)
• Animal husbandry
•Zoonoses
•Risk factors
•AH services
•PH services
•Source of information
Butchers (IDI)
•General Z knowledge
•Specific knowledge B & Toxo
•Health check and status
•Hygiene and training
•Waste management
Hospital case review:
•Clinical cases
Literature review
Survey:
•Dairy farms (milk)
•People at risk (serum)
34. Case studies: added value of Eco health
Optimizing Rabies Control in Bali: An Ecohealth Approach.”
35. Case studies: Indonesia
Optimizing Rabies Control in Bali: An Ecohealth Approach.”
Identification of a common research topic:
• Lead by team (CIVAS) and based on a call for proposals
• Rabies is an emerging zoonoses since its introduction
• Conventional control measures show limited success
Objective:
to help the government of Bali in controlling rabies in dogs
through better understanding of the dog population, dog
behavior in Bali and its relationship with the local community
Various stakeholders and groups involved:
MD, Vets, Social Science, Communities, Environment sector,
tourist sector, media, schools, village cadres, private sector,
political perspectives
36. Case studies: added value of Eco health
Optimizing Rabies Control in Bali: An Ecohealth Approach
Eco Health story:
• EH changed the way the team planned research and
dissemination.
• Boundary partners (rabies cadres and heads of village)
incorporated the rabies control programme in their village
traditional law, and showed willingness to continue this
model of Village Rabies Working Group (VRWG) by their
own fundraising programmes after EcoZD.
• Provincial Livestock Service Office were convinced to
support an island-wide training programme for VRWG of
two people from each village (covering the 723 villages.
37. Case studies: Rabies in Bali
EH principles + - Evaluation Comments
Transdiciplinary
research
Changes within the
research team **
Participation Various groups and
participatory tools,
song, video
*** Strongest
community
involvement
Equity/gender Gender
perspective **
Knowledge to
action
Policy brief Policy
meetings ** Supported by
consultant
System thinking EH framework Not fully
applied **
Sustainability Expansion of
involvement of
village cadres
Involvement in new
EH initiatives
** Publications,
schools
38. Lessons learned
• Keep room and time to adapt approaches
• Allocate sufficient time to expected changes of teams operations
(EH) & boundary partners
• Identify & engage potential EH champions
• Trust building & incentives
• Continued mentoring on how to best incorporate EH in the
proposals, field work and analysis
– Balanced use of external & national experts
• Develop and use an evaluation system
• EH stories should be developed and documented
• Perhaps use a specific EH reporting format which encourages the
team to report not technical as usual
39. The presentation has a Creative Commons licence. You are free to re-use or distribute this work, provided credit is
given to ILRI.
better lives through livestock
ilri.org
Special thanks to the former EcoZD team and its partners
In particular: J Gilbert, H Nguyen, R Asse, P Mehta, K. Tohtubtiang, L Lapar, D Grace