Large scientific studies, such as vaccine trials, that are carried out in the developing world are often financed with the requirement that they build capacity. Such capacity building has focused on infrastructure, such as laboratory space and the provision of equipment. However there is limited information on the impact of such projects and infrastructure on the scientific capacity of the local populace and there has been relatively less progress in this area. It is our goal to fill this gap, initially through an analysis of studies carried out in Kenya, The Gambia, and Senegal, followed by externally supported expansion of this work to look at larger data sets and more sites.

In this initial study, our first goal would be to analyse the decision making process that occurs within scientific consortia when deciding how to fulfil the requirement to build capacity. This will involve documenting desired capacity building outcomes and how this is communicated by funding bodies. How this impacts decision-making by management within scientific consortia will then be looked at by interviewing the decision makers involved.

The second goal will be to analyse the impact of such capacity building, in terms of satisfying the requirements of funding bodies, value for money, economic impact locally, and in building scientific and intellectual capacity. This will involve analysing economic and project finance information relating to the locations studied, but also gathering similar data from a broad range of other sites and funding bodies. Site visits to Kenya and The Gambia will be carried out to facilitate interviews with local scientists on the impact on them, impact on science in the area, and what would be needed to improve outcomes.

Our ultimate goal is to improve intellectual and scientific capacity in the developing world through better-focused capacity building.

Academic partners:

• Dr Pythagoras Petratos, Said Business School, University of Oxford
• Dr Alexandra Spencer, Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research, University of Oxford
• Dr Helen Smith, Capacity Strengthening Implementation Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Funded by:

• Oxford-Wellcome Trust ISSF (Flexible Small Grants Fund)

Partners:

• Pythagoras Petratos, Said Business School
• Alex Spencer, Jenner Institute