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January 14, 2026Grant Backs Two-Year Social Sciences Research Project Strengthening in Kenya
By Stella Njung’e
Last week, the Institute participated in a week-long international academic writing workshop designed to strengthen social sciences research capacity in Kenya. The workshop, brought together early-career social scientists for intensive training in scholarly writing, mentorship and research leadership development.
The initiative is jointly implemented by KEMRI, the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), and Pwani University in collaboration with the University of Glasgow. It is supported through an international grant aimed at advancing the social sciences in Kenya by strengthening academic writing and research capacity.
The workshop held from 5th – 9th January 2026, marks the first major activity under the project, which will run for two years from April 2025. During the workshop, participants are being trained in writing for high-impact academic journals, with mentorship from experienced academics, journal editors and external experts from both Kenya and abroad.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, KEMRI’s Principal Investigator (PI) for the project, Dr. Priscah Otambo said the project responds to a critical gap in research development for social scientists. “This programme is about more than improving writing skills. It is about empowering early-career researchers with the tools, confidence and mentorship they need to compete globally, attract research funding and contribute knowledge that meaningfully informs policy and development in Kenya,” she said.
In addition to journal writing, the project also focuses on strengthening grant proposal development and funding acquisition skills, key competencies for building sustainable research careers. Participants will continue to benefit from structured mentorship beyond the workshop through an ongoing writing and research leadership support framework.
The initiative further promotes collaboration across career stages, bringing together early-career, mid-career and senior academics, alongside journal editors and external experts, to encourage peer learning and long-term research partnerships at both national and international levels.
Ultimately, the project aims to foster a supportive and sustainable culture for academic writing within Kenyan institutions, enhancing the quality, visibility and global impact of social sciences research produced in the country.
