Version of Record (VoR)
Envuladu, E. A., Miner, C. A., Oloruntoba, R., Osuagwu, U. L., Mashige, K. P., Amiebenomo, O. M., … Agho, K. E. (2022). International research collaboration during the pandemic : team formation, challenges, strategies and achievements of the African Translational Research Group. International Journal Of Qualitative Methods, 21, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221115504
International research collaboration during the pandemic:
Team formation, challenges, strategies and achievements of the African Translational Research Group (ATReG)
Esther Awazzi Envuladu1, Chundung Asabe Miner1, Richard Oloruntoba 2, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu 3,4, Khathutshelo P. Mashige3, Onyekachukwu M. Amiebenomo 5,6, Emmanuel Kwasi Abu7, Chikasirimobi G. Timothy8, Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo9, Bernadine N. Ekpenyong3,10, Raymond Langsi11, Piwuna Christopher Goson12, Deborah Donald Charwe13, Tanko Ishaya14, and Kingsley Emwinyore Agho 3,4,15
Background
This paper discusses team formation, operational challenges, strategies, achievements, and dynamics in the implementation of research for the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), by the African Translational Research Group (ATReG), as well as the lessons learnt and future opportunities for global collaborative research.
Methods
In-depth virtual interviews were conducted with consenting members of ATReG. Questions were designed to provide rich, deep, and insightful subjective opinions, and lived experiences and perspectives of the group members on formation, challenges, and strategies and achievements. Data was transcribed and analysed thematically, and the results were presented with important quotations cited.
Findings
The ATReG consisted of English (n=13) and French (n=1) speaking sub-Saharan African (SSA) researchers who specialise in public health, epidemiology, optometry, information technology, supply chain management, psychiatry, community health, general medical practice, nutrition and biostatistics. Most members reported the informal but well-coordinated structure of the group. Formed during the pandemic, all meetings were held online, and some members have never met each other in person. The group collected data from Africans and published ten peer reviewed articles on COVID-19, presented in international conferences and were awarded a national competitive funding in Nigeria which contributed to career progressions and promotions of the members. There have been numerous challenges in sustaining the collaboration and maintaining productivity including meeting deadlines and obtaining funding for research activities. However, these challenges have been addressed through a collaborative problem-solving approach. The need for operational and methodological flexibility, central coordination and funding sources are essential for the group sustainability.
Conclusion
The ATReG’s objective of providing useful data on COVID-19 in SSA was achieved. In such a multi-disciplinary collaborative team, the experien