Equitable partnerships in global research have been widely debated in recent years, but the real challenge remains: how do we turn what we have learned into meaningful practice? What must institutions in the Global North actively change in light of the well-documented barriers to genuine collaboration? And crucially, how can partnerships not only survive but thrive in times of uncertainty?

In this webinar, we will have a thoughtful conversation grounded in the work our partnerships have undertaken over the past year. Together, we will explore practical steps, shared insights, and new ways of working that move us from discussion towards transformation.

• 10:00 AM Dami – Welcome to the participants and Introduction to the speakers

Speakers Presentation

• 10:10 AM - Megan (GHP) How can partnerships not only survive but sustain and thrive in times of uncertainty as the architecture of global health changes and funding streams dry up?

• 10:25 AM - Mathew: How do we turn what learning has been gained in understanding both the barriers and the opportunities for global partnerships to work together toward becoming more equitable into meaningful practice?

• 10:40 AM - Toby: What or how must institutions in the Global North / South actively change in light of our learning about how to transform our ways of working?

Discussions with participants

• 10:55 AM – Dami and all: Moderated discussions with participants and speakers

Closing

• 11:20 AM - Linda and David: Closing reflections

• 11:28 AM – Dami: Closing remarks

His research interests include environmental health (including WASH), health systems strengthening, particularly community health workers’ antimicrobial resistance, One Health, and infectious diseases. He has extensive experience in participatory research methods, including photovoice. Dr Musoke has led major international conferences in Uganda and serves as an Academic Editor for several global public health journals. His scholarly work includes over 150 peer-reviewed publications, supervision of more than 50 students, and extensive international academic engagement.

Linda is the lead partner for the formal Health Partnership Scheme (HPS), supported by the Tropical Health Education Trust (THET), between Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and NTU since 2011, and is now NTU's 4th strategic international partner. She initiated and co-steers the Pan-African Mental Health Research Network and founded the Eastern Africa PhD Hub. Her work has substantially contributed to the establishment of a new Eastern Africa Centre at NTU.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr Odongo is an accomplished Agricultural Economist specialising in agricultural markets, value chain development, agri-entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to books, training manuals, and conference proceedings. He has supervised graduate students, mobilised research funding, reviewed for international journals, and led multidisciplinary research teams while fostering strong national and global partnerships.

His research focuses on contemporary social development, with particular emphasis on social problems, gender studies, development studies, governance, and political development.

Dr Albert has played a key role in faculty development and transformative teaching across African universities through projects such as TESCEA and PedaL, where he also served as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team leader. His research interests include ethics, higher education partnerships, transformative teaching and learning, and gender-responsive pedagogy.

- Linda Gibson: the codevelopment of grants being built into funding streams

- Linda Gibson: A lot of relationship building is done outside of the formal activities

- Megan Jones: Under the Global Capacity Building (GCB) programme, we had 11 grants of £10K. This is not a lot of money but their is a catalytic momentum which fosters collaboration and gets things started

Kunle: Yes. Leading from behind is important,

sorry less experienced to work with more experienced.

Megan: THET has always been good at being an approachable funder!

Linda: Toby really interested in the idea of writing our applications in a way that may challenge 'business as usual ' approaches which is a trap we all fall into... so then we reproduce the same old same old. Are funders open to this?

Toby: Well if we embed this, maybe they will learn to be....

Megan: its been interesting that the Scottish Government has mandated a participatory approach to grant-making and within the projects, the first for GHP

Toby Green: At the very least, kick-off meetings led by partners in the South, chairing sessions, and presenting, where the targets are finalised.

Kunle: I think it is better to stay with what works as funders usually tick boxes in thier templates for funding. There can be innovations only that I think this could be discussed earlier with officers in charge from the donor's office. Surprises are not usually expected.