Networking

Key Achieved Milestones:

The Networking Work Package has made meaningful strides toward strengthening collaboration and engagement across the DASH consortium. During the reporting period, ACIPH and partners focused on expanding opportunities for early-career researchers and enhancing the exchange of adolescent health knowledge within the network. The Annual DASH Networking Meeting was successfully hosted and attended by partner institutions, creating a platform for cross-site learning and coordination. Additionally, a DASH Student Networking Meeting was held in June 2024, fostering peer-to-peer connections among postgraduate students and young researchers. The Collaboration for Adolescent Health in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAH-SSA) Eastern Region actively participated in these networking efforts.
Importantly, an Adolescent and Youth Advisory Board (AYAB) was established, comprising two Ethiopian youth representatives and members of the ACIPH cascade steering committee, ensuring that young voices are integrated into research design and decision-making. Furthermore, a virtual networking and paper-sharing platform was conceptualized to connect students and early-career researchers across DASH sites, facilitating knowledge exchange, collaborative writing, and discussions on adolescent health advancements.
Future Plans:
Looking ahead, the Networking team will focus on operationalizing the virtual platform to promote continuous collaboration and mentorship among researchers and students. Regular webinars, journal clubs, and youth-led dialogue sessions will be organized to sustain engagement and visibility of adolescent research across the network. ACIPH and partners will continue to strengthen cross-country partnerships and youth participation mechanisms to ensure that DASH remains a vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative platform advancing adolescent health research and policy impact across Sub-Saharan Africa.