What is
MicroResearch?
We democratize research by placing research skills and opportunities in the hands of people who live and work in their community. By empowering local drivers, the decolonization of research leads to changes in the health system of the community and of the country.
11
Countries
500+
Volunteers
76
Workshops
1602
Participants
203
Projects
60+
Publications
11
Countries
500+
Volunteers
76
Workshops
1602
Participants
203
Projects
60+
Publications
Our Mission
Improving health care outcomes with innovative community based research that assures quality and integration of research into the fabric of the local health system and the community.
Our Vision
To become globally recognized pioneers in training, mentoring, and support of multidisciplinary community focused health research with a commitment to positive societal change.
Our Values
Key to the success of MicroResearch are values shared by all members of the MicroResearch team:
History
Too often in Africa, new health knowledge is not implemented in the community, because proposed changes do not fit local context/culture, lack local champions, or have limited available resources. Daily health care demands end up taking precedence over developing strategies to improve the system. Imported, top-down change ideas have also failed if they are context and culturally inappropriate. The need in Africa to build research capacity so local health care providers can solve local problems was recognized by African leaders and governments as an urgent problem many years ago. However, lack of training, funding opportunities, and mentors has proven to be a major obstacle in the countries needing improved research capacity the most.
Micro-finance has shown that a small infusion of capital can “prime the pump” to creative local economic productivity. Since 2008, MicroResearch has used a similar approach to train local health care professionals to find sustainable solutions to local health problems using community focused research. Through three stages:
- Research training workshops
- Coaching to prepare proposals
- Funding to conduct and translate projects
MicroResearch ensures small research projects will have a real impact on health. Teaching research skills across the entire health-care provider spectrum and within the community unleashes a local culture of inquiry, to identify and solve new problems.
MicroResearch remains a flexible program, having been adapted in a myriad of regions, contexts, and for a range of audiences. Workshops with MicroResearch principles have been offered in disciplines beyond traditional health research, including agriculture, engineering, and computer science.
While MicroResearch has roots in East Africa, it has expanded into Asia, with workshops delivered in Nepal, Indonesia, and India. In 2016, it was brought to Canada, first in Nova Scotia, and later in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. The growth of MicroResearch in these various contexts reflects the apparent need for research capacity to address issues at the local level.
Our Approach
Micro-finance has shown that a small infusion of capital can “prime the pump” to creative local economic productivity. Since 2008, MicroResearch has used a similar approach to train local health care professionals to find sustainable solutions to local health problems using community focused research. Through three stages.
MicroResearch ensures small research projects will have a real impact on health. Teaching research skills across the entire health-care provider spectrum also unleashes a local culture of inquiry, to identify and solve new problems.
Improving health care outcomes with innovative community based research
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