On this page are some endorsements of our network from a few people who know from experience how CONNECTED is making a difference in finding and develop practical solutions to plant disease in Sub-Saharan Africa:
Comments about the CONNECTED Virus Network
‘Great opportunity to form partnerships that may lead to future collaborations.’
Kenya-based network member
‘A really inspiring network and clearly vital initiative.’
UK-based network member
‘Bringing members with different backgrounds and areas of expertise together.’
Nigeria-based network member
‘Sharing experiences and exchange of ideas with other experts from various disciplines.’
Anon network member
‘Building and strengthening links between researchers to develop new ideas.’
UK-based network member
‘Networking opportunities with familiar and less familiar participants.’
Anon network member
‘Scientists grappling with how to deliver impact from our work in the area of vector borne diseases while getting to know each other and having fun.’
UK-based network member
‘Bringing the community together.’
UK-based network member
It’s simple, free and quick to join the CONNECTED network using this link
Comments from our 2018 Launch Conferences
It’s about … collaboration
Delegates’ workshops bringing scientists together to address challenges
‘Small group sharing workshops and [having] food together allowed good opportunity for discussing work and collaboration.’
UK-based delegate
‘Highly engaged delegates – everyone seemed open to collaboration.’
UK-based delegate
‘A very effective networking opportunity to promote UK-Africa early career researcher connections.’
UK-based delegate
‘I enjoyed the exercises because they enabled me to get to know my fellow colleagues, and their expertise and how best we can work together to address the challenges associated with vectors.’
Uganda-based delegate
‘Very interactive and informative.’
Anon delegate
‘The (best thing was) discussion between everyone where we try and come to agreement from all our viewpoints.’
Anon delegate
‘The conference was very interactive.’
Anon delegate
‘Most practical was finding out how the network will work, how research will be supported and which new partners we might be able to link with.’
Tanzania-based delegate
‘The (most useful thing was) interaction of viruses, vector and host plant together.’
Anon delegate
It’s about … interdisciplinary working
Opportunities to connect with scientists from different disciplines
‘An excellent opportunity to connect with scientists from different disciplines.’
UK-based delegate
‘The timing was useful in respect to feedback from the EoI [Expression of Interest] pump-prime proposals – I expanded my relationship/potential partners for [the] next round of EoI.’
UK-based delegate
‘A wonderful time of scientific networking and sharing.’
Uganda-based delegate
‘A relaxed but very productive coming together of a diverse set of researchers aiming to chart the way forward with vector and plant virus research for Africa.’
Tanzania-based delegate
‘The (most useful thing was) the range of researchers and institutions represented.’
UK-based delegate
It’s about … challenging each other to find new solutions
Networking with other smart minds
‘The conference was ‘intensive but useful and exciting.’
UK-based delegate
‘It was really great to meet and network with so many smart minds.’
Uganda-based delegate
‘Refreshing and challenged me to research more.’
Anon
‘Atmosphere that allowed for ‘real networking’ – breaking barriers and consistently encouraging interacting and changing sitting positions – barriers broken and got to know each other.’
Zimbabwe-based delegate
‘Brainstorming to come up with ideas to write proposals.’
Anon delegate
It’s simple, free and quick to join the CONNECTED network using this link
It’s about … impact
Working together to find solutions to plant disease that devastates Sub-Saharan Africa
‘This conference will build scientists that will lead to a food secure future.’
Uganda-based delegate
‘A very useful event with long lasting strategy to solving VVBD [virus and vector-borne disease] problems.’
Uganda-based delegate
‘Meeting other scientists I can partner with.’
Uganda-based delegate
It’s about … early career researcher support
The CONNECTED network has a particular focus on supporting early career researchers
‘I wish to express my gratitude for inviting me to the Connected Africa Launch Conference and the Early Career Researcher Training Workshop. My benefits from these two events are enormous. I had new contacts that I have just been seeing in articles but came face to face with them and discussed potential future collaborations. The experience I had from the training for the early career researcher training workshop has definitely shaped me into being able to write proper and sound grant winning proposals.
I will utilize the experience gained from these two experiences to the best of my abilities. I wish to further share the experiences gained with those of my colleagues that were unable to attend these events.’
Zambia-based delegate
‘Allow me to once again thank the network management for giving us, the early career researchers, an opportunity advance our careers and academic knowledge. Personally I benefited a lot from meeting and networking with both early career and experienced scientists of different backgrounds. Secondly the [Early Career Researcher] training by Scriptoria was timely and I have already started utilizing the knowledge training other colleagues at my Institute.’
Uganda-based delegate
It’s about …. great event organisation
Some of the delegates at the CONNECTED Africa Launch Conference
‘A very good range of expertise brought together in this network. There was a good balance of workshops / visits / social events to make the most of the network.’
UK-based delegate
‘Organisation was fantastic; also [the] facilitation during the conference [made] the participants be active. Gender balance.’
Rwanda-based delegate
‘Great launch conference!’
Anon delegate
‘Fantastic!!!’
Anon delegate
‘AWESOME.’
Zimbabwe-based delegate
It’s simple, free and quick to join the CONNECTED network using this link
