Bridging Cultural and Academic Differences: Reflections on the CARTA Joint Advanced Seminar part 1

Between March 10 to April 4, 2014, I had the privilege of attending the Consortium of Advanced Research Traning in Africa (CARTA) Joint Advanced Seminar (JAS) as part of Cohort 4 fellow CARTA. JAS 1 was focused on bridging cultural and academic differences, and it was an exceptional experience that has stayed with me even 9 years later.

From the first day of the seminar, I bonded with other members of Cohort 4 who came from diverse cultures and academic disciplines. It was astonishing how quickly we got used to one another and started sharing our work experiences and research interests. I realized that showing interest in other people's research work helped me reform and better understand my own research.

One of the most valuable experiences I had during the JAS was the opportunity to present my research proposal to a multi-disciplinary audience. I received feedback and suggestions that helped me improve my research. This presentation took place during the last week of the JAS, and it was a great way to end the seminar.

Overall, I left the JAS with a better understanding of research methodology, the importance of critical thinking, and improved skills in using the software. I also learned new techniques for searching electronic databases, which have been incredibly helpful in my research work.

I am grateful to the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), the University of Witwatersrand, our northern partners, and funders for giving me this excellent opportunity. The JAS was a transformative experience that continues to influence my work in academia today.

Nine years after attending the JAS, I still believe that bridging cultural and academic differences is essential for advancing research in Africa and beyond. We need to continue creating spaces where researchers can interact, share ideas, and collaborate across disciplines and cultures. Only then can we produce research that is truly impactful and relevant to our communities.

The primary objective of the JAS 1 workshop is to cultivate critical thinking and enhance technical skills among Fellows while introducing them to essential concepts and seminal articles in the extensive realm of public and population health. Additionally, JAS 1 serves as a platform for discovering the intellectual and other resources that CARTA offers, and for understanding how to leverage such resources during your PhD program.

Dr. Ayodele John Alonge