CREATIVE

The challenge

Despite its high disease burden, less than 2% of clinical trials are carried out in sub-Saharan Africa. This leads to a relative neglect of African-specific challenges and a lack of data on interventions in African populations. These factors contribute to delays in access to medical innovations tailored to the needs of African countries.

One of the critical factors limiting clinical trial activity in sub-Saharan Africa is a lack of suitably trained researchers. High-quality research training is essential to ensure that researchers from the region can design, lead, and contribute to studies addressing the priority health challenges facing their countries.

The project

The CREATIVE project is addressing this key skills gap, providing a clinical trials training programme for 12 early-career researchers from six countries: Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Through the programme, fellows will complete a three-year distance-learning master's degree in epidemiology or clinical trials with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Fellows will remain embedded in their host institutions throughout their fellowships, spending time in the UK to complete specific modules in years 2 or 3.

In their first year, fellows will be embedded in a clinical trial or clinical research study hosted by a CREATIVE consortium partner in their home country, enabling them to gain firsthand experience of clinical studies. 

In addition, each fellow will have an opportunity for industry exposure through an internship, work placement or work shadowing during their fellowship. This will provide fellows with unique insights into clinical research from an industry perspective.

Alongside this hands-on learning, fellows will also benefit from a digital clinical training academy through which online seminars will be offered every three to four months, specifically designed to meet their needs. Other benefits include intensive mentoring support, co-design of personal development plans, and career-planning discussions towards the end of the fellowship. 

Fellows will also be supported and encouraged to engage with existing clinical research networks in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, as they progress as a single cohort, this will provide opportunities for relationship-building and peer support that last beyond the fellowship.

Impact

The CREATIVE project will provide a significant boost to clinical research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. It will:

• Create a new cohort of researchers with an understanding of both academic and industry clinical research.
• Increase the number of skilled clinical researchers and research leaders in the region.
• Generate new career development opportunities and promote retention within sub-Saharan Africa.
• Help to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The CREATIVE project will strengthen the clinical research base in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting innovation and clinical research that accelerates the development and implementation of novel interventions addressing the region’s key health challenges.