Geospatial Mapping leads Dr Rana Atta and Dr Hope Simpson set the agenda for a series of in-person meetings in Cairo, Egypt between 1st and 5th December to enable the team to refine and replan research activities following the conflict in Sudan with GHRU2 members from BSMS, IDS and the University of Khartoum (UoK) attending.
All members of the University of Khartoum were able to attend either in person or remotely which meant we were able to progress discussions across all geospatial mapping-related objectives for the Sudanese team and incorporate knowledge and learnings from across the team to inform any planned changes.
The UoK team opened the meetings by providing detailed presentations regarding the context in Sudan, including some very moving and thought-provoking presentations shared in the video above from research assistant, Wael Jamaladdeen which captures some of what the team have been going through in recent months.
A very productive series of meetings and discussions followed looking at operationalising the geospatial activities and discussing data collection tools, surveys and resources required in fine detail. The team also looked at alternate options should it not be possible to complete activities in their preferred study site in Gezira.
Integrating Community Engagement and Involvement
Our colleagues Tom Barker and Erica Nelson from IDS joined the meetings and led a session on integrating Community Engagement and Involvement in the research processes which prompted some interesting discussions and reflections.
The team came away with clear revised plans and met with NIHR to walk through implications the following week. We spent several wonderful and productive days together and it was so useful and restorative for the team to be largely in person for these important meetings.
Unfortunately, since this meeting took place the situation in Gezira has worsened and the team are now looking at their alternative data collection plans, however, the work done during these meetings will also make these decisions and revisions quicker and clearer as the team were already preparing for such a situation.
At the end of these meetings, the BSMS team were delighted to receive an honorary shield from the Sudanese team in recognition of our long-standing partnership.
