During the session, the EPIC team guided us through the following:
- Overview of the EPIC Model to easily connect universities and local authorities (and other societal actors)
- Stories of impact when faculty and students work to meet the stated needs of societal actors
- Analysis of institutional structures that constrain this work and how to overcome these barriers
According to the UNESCO Open Science recommendation, Community and Citizen Engagement are core principles of Open Science.
Find out more at unesco.org/en/open-science/
Speakers Profiles
Mzime Murisa
EPIC-Africa Program Coordinator
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8096-2979
LinkedIn: /in/mzime-murisa-57142b15/
Google Scholar: PFxBl1YAAAAJ&hl
Mzime Ndebele-Murisa coordinates the EPIC Africa network through her Program Specialist role at START, where she manages programs such as Education Partnerships for Innovation in Communities (EPIC) Africa network; and the Cascading Climate Health Risks in African Cities (CASCADE); and formerly the Future Resilience for African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) Program; Climate Impact Research Capacity, and Leadership Enhancement (CIRCLE); and WorldFish’s Developing and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA) project. She has led several multidisciplinary projects in southern Africa on aquaculture, climate change modeling, and adaptation, with contributions to the IPCC AR5 and AR6 reports. Mzime holds a PhD in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology and has published widely on climate resilience and sustainability.
Gavin Luter
Managing Director
ORCID: 0009-0005-3347-1153
LinkedIn: /in/gavinluter/
Google Scholar: LCz4RGMAAAAJ&hl
Gavin Luter is the Managing Director of the EPIC Network, with deep expertise in developing sustainable, equitable university/community partnerships. He previously led the UniverCity Alliance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has created models for effective academic engagement with local governments. Gavin holds a PhD in Education Administration from the University at Buffalo and has a strong interest in K-12 education partnerships.
EPIC-N Q&A session in the Context of African Scholarship
1. How does the EPIC Model adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities present in African universities and local governments, particularly regarding resource constraints and diverse community needs?
The EPIC Model is designed to be flexible and context-sensitive, allowing universities and local governments to co-create projects that address local priorities. In African contexts, this means:
- Focusing on low-cost, high-impact projects that leverage existing resources.
- Adapting project scopes to align with available infrastructure and capacity.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange between local stakeholders and academic experts to ensure solutions are culturally relevant and sustainable.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex challenges such as public health, education, and environmental sustainability.
2. Can you share examples or case studies where the EPIC Model has been successfully implemented in African contexts, or similar environments, to foster sustainable development and community engagement?
While the EPIC Model has seen its most extensive implementation in North America, there are emerging examples and pilot projects in Africa and other regions with similar challenges. For instance:
- Pilot projects in Kenya and South Africa have focused on urban planning, water management, and public health, using the EPIC Model to connect university research with local government needs.
- In other regions, the model has facilitated projects that address informal settlement upgrading, climate adaptation, and youth engagement, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse contexts.
3. What strategies does EPIC-N recommend for African universities to build effective partnerships with local governments and communities, especially in regions with limited infrastructure or differing governance structures?
EPIC-N recommends several strategies:
- Start with small, manageable projects that can demonstrate quick wins and build trust.
- Establish clear communication channels and regular meetings between university teams and government officials.
- Involve community members early in the project planning process to ensure their needs and perspectives are central.
- Provide training and capacity-building workshops for both university and government staff to foster mutual understanding and collaboration.
- Document and share successes and lessons learned to encourage broader adoption and scaling.
4. How does EPIC-N support African scholars and institutions in integrating sustainability and community outreach into their curricula and research agendas?
EPIC-N offers a range of support mechanisms:
- Access to a global network of practitioners and resources, including training materials and case studies.
- Guidance on curriculum development that embeds real-world, community-based projects.
- Opportunities for faculty and students to participate in international conferences, workshops, and collaborative research.
- Mentorship and technical assistance to help institutions tailor the EPIC Model to their unique contexts and priorities.
5. What opportunities exist for African universities and scholars to join the EPIC-N network, and what support or resources are available to facilitate their participation and collaboration?
African universities and scholars can join EPIC-N by:
- Engaging with the global EPIC-N community to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and showcase successful projects from Africa.
- Registering as members through the EPIC-N website which provides access to resources, events, and networking opportunities.
- Participating in annual conferences, webinars, and regional workshops designed to share best practices and foster collaboration.
- Applying for pilot project funding or technical assistance aimed at supporting the launch of EPIC Model initiatives.
This webinar series is co-organized by UbuntuNet Alliance (https://ubuntunet.net/) and Access 2 Perspectives (https://access2perspectives.org/) and supported by the African Open Science Platform (AOSP)