Capacity building in research in LMICs
An evaluation of the Global Health Support PhD programme at UMC Utrecht from 2011-2023
Conference
Format: Poster
Topic: 9. Responsibility, Ethics, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Research and Innovation
Abstract
In settings where there is a scarcity of well-trained researchers, societies are less likely to gain from the benefits that local research can bring, particularly evidence-based policies and interventions to tackle health, economic, social, and other local challenges.
Doctorate programmes that are strongly anchored in low- and middle-income country (LMIC)-contexts and institutions can support research capacity strengthening and ensure research is conducted with social and scientific impact. The University Medical Centre (UMC) Utrecht’s Global Health Support (GHS) programme was established to offer PhDs from LMICs the opportunity to earn their doctorate from Utrecht University, whilst conducting much of their research in their home countries.
The programme started in 2011 and was designed to train international talent with professional backgrounds in research, policy, and clinical practice. Fellows visit Utrecht for short periods and receive dual supervision from a team of UMC Utrecht and local supervisors. The involvement of local supervisors helps to integrate the PhD project with the existing knowledge infrastructure and to contribute to both institutional capacity and knowledge infrastructure in the candidate’s home country.
An evaluation of the programme's progress was conducted in early 2024. Since inception, 53 candidates enrolled, of whom 20 completed and 49 came from either sub-Saharan Africa or Asia. The PhD candidates published >450 articles in regional and international journals, attended international conferences, and participated in follow-up projects from Dutch, European, or LMIC-based grants. A number of recommendations were also suggested by both candidates and supervisors, such as the need to expand eligibility to include the Dutch-Caribbean islands (which are formally part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a high-income country) and the need to provide stronger research administration support.
Also in reflection of the low numbers of doctorate holders in participating countries, training a PhD had profound local impact and alumni often quickly assumed pivotal roles within local research institutes and even took on principal investigator roles – often in collaborations with UMC Utrecht scientists.
The GHS programme creates visible impact in both the Netherlands and in the PhDs' countries of origin, and both for the institutes and the individual fellows. In addition to providing scientific insights, the programme has allowed to stimulate LMIC-investigator driven research with global scientific and societal relevance. PhD-level training results in social impact when this is translated into practice and strengthened knowledge infrastructure. In this way, UMC Utrecht not only fosters scientific progress but also progress in equity in research.
Overall, this type of doctoral programme addresses an important bottleneck in doctoral training capacity, whilst incorporating equitable and sustainable partnership considerations. This collaborative approach helps establish long-term partnerships and creates a lasting impact on both local and international research efforts.