Background:

In response to insights from the British Academy (BA) Equitable Partnerships Workshop held in Nairobi (October 2024) and the subsequent conference in London (February 2025), there is growing recognition of the need to deepen equitable research collaboration across sub-Saharan Africa and with international partners, including the UK. These events underscored challenges and opportunities in establishing equitable partnerships, particularly within the humanities and social sciences.

Building on these dialogues, four Ugandan institutions, including Makerere University, Uganda Martyrs University, Mountains of the Moon University, and the National Agricultural Research Organisation, have joined efforts in a one-year initiative (March 2025–March 2026) to enhance equitable international research partnerships. Nottingham Trent University (NTU), a longstanding collaborator with Makerere University, also joins the initiative to support cross-regional (North–South and South–South) learning and cooperation.

The initiative focuses on promoting mutual learning, capacity building, and institutional support for equitable partnerships to generate multidisciplinary collaborations and joint research proposals that advance policy, practice, and academic scholarship.

About the Webinar

The upcoming webinar on 30th May 2025, at 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EAT, is the first public engagement under the project and aims to spark critical conversations on principles, challenges, and best practices in fostering equitable research partnerships. It will highlight lessons from past collaborations and explore actionable strategies for future partnerships, particularly within South–South and South–North frameworks.

Register here to join: https://bit.ly/equitablePARTNERSHIPS

Objectives

• To share practical experiences and lessons learned on establishing and sustaining equitable research partnerships.
• To explore institutional and researcher roles in promoting multidisciplinary, cross-institutional collaboration.
• To engage participants in dialogue around challenges such as capacity gaps, research infrastructure, funding, and institutional bureaucracy.
• To contribute to the broader knowledge base on ethical and effective research collaboration through shared insights.

Key Themes

• South–South and South–North collaboration
• Capacity building and mentorship for early-career researchers
• Research infrastructure and funding
• Multi-disciplinary research design and implementation
• Institutional policies and enabling environments for partnership
• The role of AI and technology in equitable collaboration

Presenters

Dr. Walter Odongo:

Director of Research, Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARO)
Dr. Odongo is a specialist in agribusiness supply chain development and agricultural economics. He holds a PhD in Applied Biosciences from Ghent University and degrees in Agricultural and Applied Economics and Agriculture from Makerere University. His work focuses on agri-entrepreneurship, food systems, marketing, and community engagement.

Dr. Sophie Komujuni:

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University
Dr. Komujuni holds a PhD in Political Science from Ghent University. Her academic work spans peace and conflict studies, human rights, transitional justice, governance, and humanitarian law. She brings strong experience in curriculum development and multidisciplinary teaching in the humanities.

Moderators

• Dr. David Musoke, Makerere University School of Public Health
• Dr. Albert Luswata, Uganda Martyrs University

Partners

This webinar is organised by:

• Makerere University School of Public Health
• Uganda Martyrs University
• Mountains of the Moon University
• National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
• Nottingham Trent University