Embedding technology to boost inclusive health, education and research
May 25, 2020 | 12 min read
By Youngsuk “YS” Chi
At the Elsevier Foundation, we recognize our partners’ success as we embed technology to support the UN SDGs
Nurses at Nyeri County Clinic, about 150km from Nairobi, Kenya, demonstrate how to use Amref’s Jibu app to stay updated on the latest nursing treatments in different fields, including tuberculosis. Elsevier Foundation Program Officer Domiziana Francescon (right) was there to help celebrate the launch. (Photo © Amref)
As we all strive to adapt to our very changed world in the age of COVID-19, the Elsevier Foundation’s mission to advance inclusive health and research in service of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) opens in new tab/window remains as relevant as ever. Over the past few years, we have worked hard to embed technology across many key partnerships and have seen this focus bear fruit as the world has gone into preventative pandemic measures.
Students in Girls Inc NYC discuss probability and fairness in an after-school class of the Pre-G3 Elsevier Data Analytics Preparatory Program. (Photos by Alison Bert)
Girls Inc NYC, a new partner in 2019, serves a vulnerable urban population that has been particularly hard hit by the breakdown in social and financial safety nets. Within a week of New York City schools closing, they were able to deliver all of their programs, including PreG3: The Elsevier Data Analytics Preparatory Program opens in new tab/window, virtually and are working as quickly as possible to equip their girls with the necessary tablets, internet access and technical skills.
Embedding technology
Medical students at Nyeri County Clinic get a demo of Amref’s Jibu continuing education app and the course offerings for health workers. (Photo © Amref)
Our efforts to embed technology across many of our partnerships have been increasingly timely. In March, our longstanding partner Amref opens in new tab/window, which provides health education in Africa, officially launched Jibu opens in new tab/window (Swahili for “answer”), a continuing education app we have supported to offer efficient and cost-effective training for nurses in East Africa. Now, 3,000 health workers across all 47 Kenyan counties are using the COVID-19 course.
We also supported the rollout of a Research4Life training MOOC opens in new tab/window in 2019, which serves as an integrated complement to our face-to-face training. The MOOC ensures that distance learning on how to use critical Research4Life resources can proceed despite the physical limitations users and trainers are dealing with today.
Inclusive health
This year, we also doubled down on our inclusive health focus in the US, adding two new partnerships that tap technology to tackle issues faced by underserved communities:
The Latino Diabetes Citizen Scientists Program opens in new tab/window will assist in the training of community health workers to gather critical data and use wearable tech to reduce health literacy barriers for adults suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, a disease disproportionately prevalent in the US Latino Community.
With our support, the National League of Nursing opens in new tab/window (NLN) will be able to develop the “Excellence in Technology Innovation for Nursing Faculty in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),” which will provide e-learning modules that enable educators to better guide students through the transition to professional practice. Ultimately, the NLN aims to boost the numbers of successful nurse graduates from less represented backgrounds serving in US hospitals.
Both of these programs exemplify how the Elsevier Foundation can make a difference with funds and access to health expertise, content and networks.
Inclusive research
The winners of the 2020 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Women Scientists in the Developing World following the award ceremony at the 2020 Annual AAAS Meeting. (Photo by Alison Bert)
Meanwhile, we continue to sharpen our focus on inclusive research by increasing access to science, technology and health education for women, youth and researchers from developing countries. Our ISC3 Green & Sustainable Chemistry Challenge opens in new tab/window and OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in Developing Countries opens in new tab/window spotlight rising stars and role models. By providing crucial recognition, we seek to not only open doors for the winners but for those following in their footsteps.
In the words of 2020 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award winner Dr. Chao Mbogo, a computer scientist from Kenya:
This award is a testament that designing technological tools that support learners is important and timely work, especially for students in developing countries who may not have much access to information or opportunities. This award has acted as a strong reminder to me to never stop holding the ladder up for others.
Inclusive research is also an area where Elsevier, the foundation’s core funder and supporter, has made significant strides this year. In March, Elsevier CEO and Foundation Board member Kumsal Bayazit launched a new Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Board, cochaired by Dr. Richard Horton opens in new tab/window, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet opens in new tab/window, and supported by distinguished experts across a wide range of fields. The Elsevier Foundation has an opportunity to learn from the new board and identify partnerships that help work towards lasting solutions to promote inclusive research and measurable change.
Chao Mbogo, PhD, Lecturer in Computer Science at Kenya Methodist University, accepts her award at the 2020 Annual AAAS Meeting in Seattle. (Photo by Alison Bert)
As we gear up for the 5th anniversary of the UN SDGs this year, it is critical that we continue to pose the difficult question of whether the Elsevier Foundation is doing enough to support impactful programs in the most thoughtful and effective way and embrace the challenge to find viable ways to support our ambitious programs while ensuring optimum flexibility in a rapidly changing world.
The Elsevier Foundation: A year in review
“The world is at a defining moment, emerging from a global pandemic, plagued by inflation and experiencing dramatic changes to our ecosystems. It is critical that all actors contribute actively to the SDGs through their areas of greatest strength.” — Youngsuk “YS” Chi in Elsevier Foundation Annual Report
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