Kumwenda Save, Niang El Hadji A, Orondo Pauline W, William Pote, Oyinlola Lateefah, Bongo Gedeon N, Chiwona Bernadette
College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.
The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.
Malawi Med J. 2017 Mar;29(1):1-4. doi: 10.4314/mmj.v29i1.1.
Africa accounts for 14% of world's population, and the economies of most African countries are considered to be growing, but this is not reflected in the amount of research published by Africans. This study aimed at identifying the challenges that young African scientists face in their career development.
This was a qualitative exploratory study involving young researchers who attended the Teaching and Research in Natural Sciences for Development (TReND) in Africa scientific writing and communication workshop, which was held in Malawi in September 2015. A semi-structured questionnaire was sent to all workshop participants who consented to taking part in the survey. In total, 28 questionnaires were sent via email and 15 were returned, representing a response rate of 53.6%. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Young Africans develop their research interests various ways. The most common career-promoting factors identified by the study participants included formal classroom learning, aspirations to attain academic qualifications, work satisfaction, and the desire to fulfill parents' dreams. Challenges cited by survey respondents included a lack of mentorship, funds, and research and writing skills. Lack of interest in research by policymakers, lack of motivation by peers, and heavy workload (leaving little time for research) were also reported as challenges. Respondents suggested that grants specifically targeting young scientists would be beneficial. Participants also urged for the establishment of mentorship programmes, increasing motivation for research, and more frequent training opportunities.
There is need for improved funding for institutional and research network strengthening in Africa, with particular attention given to expanding opportunities for young researchers.
非洲人口占世界人口的14%，大多数非洲国家的经济被认为在增长，但这并未体现在非洲人发表的研究数量上。本研究旨在确定非洲年轻科学家在职业发展中面临的挑战。
这是一项定性探索性研究，涉及参加2015年9月在马拉维举行的非洲自然科学教学与研究促进发展（TReND）科学写作与交流研讨会的年轻研究人员。向所有同意参与调查的研讨会参与者发送了一份半结构化问卷。总共通过电子邮件发送了28份问卷，15份被退回，回复率为53.6%。使用主题分析法对数据进行了分析。
非洲年轻人通过多种方式培养他们的研究兴趣。研究参与者确定的最常见的职业促进因素包括正规课堂学习、获得学历的愿望、工作满意度以及实现父母梦想的愿望。调查受访者提到的挑战包括缺乏指导、资金以及研究和写作技能。政策制定者对研究缺乏兴趣、同行缺乏动力以及工作量大（几乎没有时间进行研究）也被报告为挑战。受访者建议专门针对年轻科学家的资助会很有帮助。参与者还敦促建立指导计划，增加研究动力，并提供更频繁的培训机会。
需要增加对非洲机构和研究网络加强的资金投入，尤其要关注为年轻研究人员扩大机会。
