Successful course on translating science into policy and practice

The training, titled “Translating Science into Policy and Practice,” was held from February 17–19, 2026 and organised by the Uganda Hub.

The intensive programme brought together academics from Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda, creating a regional platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Participants explored practical approaches to ensuring that academic research contributes directly to policy decisions and community development.

Bridging the gap between research and policy

The workshop focused on addressing a long-standing challenge in academia: the disconnect between scientific discovery and its application in policy and practice. Organisers emphasised the need for researchers to move beyond producing work primarily for academic promotion and instead generate evidence that informs national development strategies.

A major theme of the training was mindset transformation and encouraging scholars to design research with tangible societal impact. Facilitators stressed that research should not remain confined to academic journals but should actively inform policymaking and development initiatives.

Building practical skills

Participants were equipped with practical tools to communicate research findings effectively to policymakers and stakeholders. Training sessions covered:

• Mindset Change: Moving beyond research for academic promotion toward research that informs national policy.
• Skill Development: Equipping participants with competencies in writing policy briefs, stakeholder mapping, and strategic science communication.
• Institutional Impact: Discussions on integrating these science-to-policy modules into the standard graduate curriculum at both universities. 

These competencies are expected to strengthen researchers’ ability to advocate for evidence-based policymaking across the region.

Strengthening institutional impact

Beyond individual skills development, the workshop also addressed institutional change. Discussions explored ways of integrating science-to-policy training modules into standard graduate curricula at universities. Organisers believe embedding such training in postgraduate programmes will prepare future researchers to engage directly with governments, communities, and development partners.

Regional collaboration and visibility

The event drew significant attention from both university platforms and national media outlets, highlighting growing interest in strengthening science-policy linkages in East Africa. Coverage included features by NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, and the Greater North News Agency, alongside discussions on professional and social media platforms.

Organisers expressed appreciation to partners and supporters whose contributions made the workshop possible. They noted that the ultimate success of the training will be measured by how effectively participants translate their research into tangible community benefits and improved policy frameworks.

With renewed commitment to evidence-based decision-making, the initiative signals an important step toward ensuring that academic research in East Africa contributes more directly to sustainable development and social change.

Read more: 

1. NTV Uganda - Universities meet in Gulu to improve research 
2. Daily Monitor- Lack of community involvement undermining quality of research- academicians
3. Greater North News Agency - Researchers Tipped on Community, Policy Makers Inclusion for Social Change
4. Kyambogo University - Kyambogo and Gulu Universities supported by AgriFose 2030 Launch Initiative to Bridge the Science-Policy Gap
5. Universities must move beyond conducting research merely for promotion
6. Gulu University: From Data to Action: Day 2 at the AgriFoSe Workshop