Accessible research education in Kenya: KEMRI and Sci-MI
Partnering with the Kenya Medical Research Institute, we provide accessible research education and mentorship to budding scientists.
Keywords: science education, mentorship, community-driven research, Kenya, empowerment
Now in its third year, the Kenya Medical Research Institute has partnered with us and the Science Mentorship Institute (founded by scholar Ally Kim) to provide accessible scientific research exposure to a population that often lacks a portable entry point to STEM research careers. Our partner site is located in a rural region -- the Kilifi County -- and we partner with them to provide supportive near-peer mentorship and project-based education. Students develop projects that address important challenges arising in their direct communities and learn new research methodologies and skills. We are in the midst of developing a quality assessment paper to assess the effectiveness of this collaborative educational model to include Kenyan researcher, educator, and student voices.
Skillset needs: We would love to speak with scholars who may be familiar with our partner site location (Kilifi or Nairobi, Kenya) and/or interested in expanding this program to other regions within sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Contact: Ally Kim