Mazungumzo - African Scholarly Conversations

This episode features Hon. Dr. Woda Jeremaih Jago , Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) representing the Republic of South Sudan and Chair of the Subcommittee on Agriculture and Food Security. Dr. Woda discusses the role of research in shaping policy and development, drawing on her experience as a researcher, educator, and legislator. She shares insights into South Sudan's e...

This episode features Dr. Frederick Kiwuwa Lugya, University Librarian at Busitema University and President of the Uganda Library and Information Association. Dr. Lugya discusses the transformative power of Open Science and the critical role academic libraries play in bridging the gap between researchers and public access. He shares insights from his 20-year journey in librarianship, the challenge...

In this episode, we dive into the "hidden" profession that serves as the backbone of African science: Research and Innovation Management. We are joined by Professor Edwinus Lyaya, an Associate Professor of African Archaeology at the University of Dar es Salaam and the longest serving administrator of the Eastern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (EARIMA). Prof. Lyaya...

In this episode, host Joy Owango speaks with Jerry Sellanga, Engagement and Communications Coordinator at Invest in Open Infrastructure (IOI). Jerry shares his perspective on communicating and sustaining open infrastructure and open science across Africa. The conversation explores IOI’s mission to drive strategic investment in digital tools that support the research lifecycle and the systemic barr...

In this episode, we tackle the "painful paradox" of African scholarship: researchers acting as "architects" of data only to be locked out of their own results by global paywalls. Host Joy Owango joins Dr. Julius Sindi (APHRC) to discuss dismantling the "vicious cycle" of academic exclusion and the urgent need for a sovereign, African-governed African Research Commons . Connect with Dr. Julius Sind...

In this episode, host Joy Owango speaks with Dr. Felicia Kuagbedzi, the Acting Coordinator for ICT Communications and Knowledge Management at the Association of African Universities (AAU). They discuss the AAU’s pivotal role in reforming higher education in Africa through digital transformation, knowledge management, and capacity building. Dr. Felicia highlights how the AAU is bridging the gap bet...

This episode explores the urgent need to harmonize research governance across Africa and break down the institutional silos that often keep scholarly knowledge trapped within faculties. We sit down with Dr. Henry Waruhiu, Director of Research and Management Consultancy at the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) , to discuss the "politics of publishing" and the uniqu...

In this episode host Joy Owango speaks with Maha Abbas, Head of Biblioteca Alexandrina Information for Africa (BAIFA) at Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, and North African representative at the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA). They explore how libraries in Africa, especially in North Africa, are evolving from historical centers of knowledge into dynamic, digi...

This episode features insights from Hannah Wanjiku, the Research Management Officer at Gertrude's Children's Hospital, on the critical role of research management and science communication in strengthening African healthcare systems. Hannah shares her journey from clinical nursing to research leadership and explains why hospitals are "gold mines" of data that need structured syst...

In this episode, Allen Mukhwana, Head of Programmes, Strengthening Science Ecosystems at Science for Africa Foundation, shares her journey from accidentally stumbling into research management to becoming a champion for equitable research partnerships across Africa. Allen reveals how strategic research management can dismantle colonial legacies in academia and build truly equitable partnerships wit...

In this episode, we sit down with Monica Akinyi Kay, Project Associate at the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, to explore how behavioral science can transform research communication in African contexts. Monica shares insights from her work with civil society organizations across East and Southern Africa, highlighting the Low-Cost Message Testing Guide (LCMT), a practical approach that helps...

In this episode we sit down with Professor Hanae Lrhoul, a leading voice in open science and research policy in Morocco. From her early work building digital repositories to helping shape the country’s National Open Science Strategy, Professor Lrhou shares reflections on the progress, challenges, and collective vision for a more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful scientific future in Morocco...

In this episode Joy Owango sits down with Matthew Buys , Executive Director of DataCite and a pioneering force in open research infrastructure. From his early days working across Africa to his current global leadership in persistent identifiers, Matt shares a powerful vision for making research outputs, especially from Africa and the Global South, more visible, accessible, and reusable. This conve...

In this episode, host Joy Owango is joined by co-host Anne Chisa for a special Africa Day episode featuring a powerhouse panel of science podcasters reshaping research communication across the continent. This inspiring conversation brings together Wealth Okete (the Immunology in Africa Podcast), Anita Makori (My Science Journey), and Wambui Mbichi (Farm to Table KE Podcast) as they share their jou...

In this episode, Dr. Nkem Osuigwe talks about her journey from a child in post-war Nigeria to an award-winning librarian. Dr. Osuigwe shares her work with the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) and as 2022's Wikimedian of the Year. The conversation explores pressing issues in African librarianship: preserving traditional knowledge, translating materials into...

In this episode, Emmanuel Boakye, co-founder of the African Reproducibility Network (AREN), discusses the role of open science in Africa and the importance of research reproducibility. He shares how AREN is bridging gaps in research culture through grassroots advocacy, training programs, and policy engagement, while addressing challenges like institutional buy-in and funding. Learn how African res...

In this episode of Mazungumzo - African Scholarly Conversations , Professor Nelson Ijumba shares his experience leading the restructuring of the University of Rwanda, merging seven institutions into one research-led university. He discusses the challenges of institutional change, faculty development, and internationalization, offering key insights for higher education leaders looking to enhance re...

In this special collaboration episode, Joy Owango of Mazungumzo – African Scholarly Conversations and Anne Chisa of The Root of Science Podcast come together for a dynamic and insightful discussion. They explore how their platforms have grown into vital spaces for amplifying African research, highlighting the transformative power of science communication. Joy reflects on her 18 years of experience...

In this episode, we sit down with Susan Murray, Executive Director of African Journals Online (AJOL), to explore the transformative power of no-fee publishing in reshaping the visibility and accessibility of African research. Susan shares her insights on the challenges and triumphs of building sustainable Diamond Open Access models, the importance of amplifying African voices in global research, a...

In this episode, we welcome Yousef Torman, Managing Director of the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), to discuss how the organization is transforming research collaboration and advancing open science across the Arab and North African regions. From developing ICT infrastructure to fostering global partnerships, Yousef sheds light on ASREN’s efforts to overcome challenges such as f...

In this episode, Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean of the School of Public Health at Makerere University, discusses the evolving landscape of research assessment in Africa. The conversation highlights the need to rethink how research outputs are evaluated, focusing on societal impact rather than traditional academic metrics like publications and citations. Dr. Wanyenze emphasizes the importan...

In this captivating finale of Season 2, the Mazungumzo-African Scholarly Conversations podcast welcomes Lombe Tembo, Grant Program Officer and Engagement Lead at ORCID. This episode delves into the critical intersection of scholarly communication, economic development, and research visibility in Africa. Lombe shares her journey from economics to championing equitable participation in academia, off...

In this episode, we explore efforts to rebuild Somalia's scholarly landscape post-civil conflict. Eng. Ahmed Dahir Siyad from SomaliREN and Mr. Mohamud Mohamed Siad from the Somali Library Association (SLA) discuss challenges and progress in improving digital infrastructure, research access, and libraries. SomaliREN has connected 50 university campuses to a national network, established a data...

This episode features a powerful narrative of resilience, innovation, and the ongoing quest for inclusive science in Africa. Dr. Dorothy Ngila, drawing from her unique "Afropolitan" experience, presents a roadmap for institutional reform in science and research. She unpacks the critical role of funding agencies in driving inclusivity, the power of pan-African collaborations like the Scie...

In this podcast episode, James Ngumo Kariuki, a senior research scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), shares his perspectives on the critical role of data stewardship, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology in shaping the future of health research in Kenya. Mr. Ngumo emphasizes the need for evidence-informed policies, county-specific solutions for universal health care,...