Join us for the next Health and Health Systems in the Global Context (HHSGC) seminar, with Professor Echezona E. Ezeanolue, Director of the IVAN Research Institute, University of Nigeria. Please share widely with your networks.
Advancing Implementation Science in Africa through Capacity Building, Collaboration, and Research Infrastructure
When: Monday 9 November 2026, 15.00–16.30 (UK time)
Where: University Place, Room 2.220, The University of Manchester (in person)
About this seminar:
Advancing implementation science in Africa is a critical strategy to bridge the gap between evidence-based health interventions and pragmatic day-to-day healthcare delivery. Capacity building on the continent has historically focused on basic research skills like data analysis and manuscript writing. However, tackling systemic burdens, from HIV/AIDS, cancer and rising chronic diseases to the growing impacts of climate change, requires a specialised infrastructure that links research directly to multi-sectoral health practices and policies.
This discussion will focus on the experience of the Nigerian Implementation Science Alliance (NISA), and will explore questions such as:
• What does it take to build implementation science capacity beyond basic research skills?
• How can collaboration and research infrastructure connect evidence directly to health practice and policy across sectors?
Speaker
Professor Echezona E. Ezeanolue, Director, IVAN Research Institute, University of Nigeria
Professor Ezeanolue is a physician-scientist and Professor of Paediatrics and Epidemiology. He is board-certified in paediatrics and infectious diseases, and his work uses implementation science to improve the effectiveness and quality of health services. He led the establishment of NISA in 2015, which brings together researchers, policymakers and implementers to strengthen research infrastructure and capacity across Nigeria. He has led more than 25 funded projects in the United States and Nigeria, including the large community-based Baby Shower and iSTAR trials on prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. He is a principal investigator on projects on cervical cancer elimination, hypertension and HIV research capacity.
This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the University and our international partners who share an interest in health and health systems across different settings. Join us to connect and learn!
About the series: HHSGC is an interdisciplinary seminar series bringing together researchers interested in understanding and tackling some of the most pressing challenges faced by health systems globally. We welcome suggestions, proposed speakers and offers to present. Join our mailing list here: Subscribe mailing list.
This seminar is supported by the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and the Healthier Futures Research Platform, The University of Manchester.
