Research capacity strengthening (RCS) in low and middle-income countries: time for a dedicated RCS science?

International development organisations and funding bodies are increasingly investing in research capacity strengthening (RCS) initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. However, the evidence-base to inform these RCS investments is poorly developed. In this seminar, I argue a major barrier to the production of a better-quality evidence-base is the sparse, fragmented nature of the underlying research effort and detail the ‘Capacity Research Unit’s’ (LSTM) mission to advance a dedicated RCS science.

Dr Justin Pulford is a senior lecturer based in the Capacity Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Prior to joining LSTM, Justin was a research fellow at the School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Australia on permanent secondment to the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), Papua New Guinea (PNG). While on secondment at the PNGIMR, Justin led the outcome and impact evaluation of the PNG National Malaria Control Program for the period 2010-2015 and was head of the PNGIMR’s Population Health and Demography Unit.