Profiling University Research Engagement with Africa

What is it about?

This study focuses on U.S. university engagement with Africa over the past 15 years, particularly in areas like global health, education, environment, and agriculture. It highlights the growing scholarly collaboration between U.S. universities and African institutions, but points out the limited literature on the impact and scholarly output of these partnerships, especially in supporting internationalization goals. Using Michigan State University (MSU) as a case study, the paper measures research output, describes collaboration patterns, and assesses the impact of MSU’s research engagement with Africa over the past decade (2006-2015). It also examines the gender dimension in MSU's research focus on Africa. Through scientometric and social network analysis, the study provides quantitative evidence of MSU’s scholarly success, research diversification, and increasing collaboration with African institutions. It shows that MSU’s partnerships, particularly in STEM fields, have led to significant benefits, such as enhancing the recognition of African researchers and improving the ability to co-generate knowledge and innovation to address global challenges. The study also highlights the growing involvement of women in advancing knowledge to address Africa’s socio-economic development issues. Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of university internationalization, research management, and gender perspectives in global academic collaborations.

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Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is important because it sheds light on the growing role of U.S.-Africa university collaborations and their significant impact on addressing global challenges, especially in areas like health, agriculture, and the environment. It highlights how U.S. universities, particularly Michigan State University, are not only contributing to academic success but also fostering meaningful partnerships that empower African institutions and researchers. By measuring research output and collaboration patterns, the study provides valuable insights into how these partnerships support internationalization goals and drive innovation, while also addressing the underrepresentation of women in research. This research can help shape future academic strategies, policies, and initiatives to strengthen U.S.-Africa collaborations, increase the impact of these partnerships, and ultimately contribute to Africa's socio-economic development.

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