Raising the Profile of African Education Research and Researchers: Early Childhood Development (Phase Two)

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The Early Childhood Development project is a two-phase project aimed at strengthening and transforming decision-making in Early Childhood Development across sub-Saharan Africa. 

Led by ESSA and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge, and  funded  by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the project brings together African researchers, policymakers, and partners to create a more connected, impactful Early Childhood Development research ecosystem.

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Phase 2: Building Capacity and Driving Change

Phase 2 builds on the lessons and momentum of Phase one, focusing on directly supporting Early Childhood Development researchers – particularly those based in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, and Mozambique – to increase their impact and foster vibrant, collaborative Early Childhood Development research communities across the region.

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Over the next two years, the work will focus on three priority areas:

Capacity strengthening and collaboration

• Provide training and funding to Africa-based African Early Childhood Development researchers and policymakers.

• Create more opportunities for collaboration within and across African countries.

Visibility and accessibility

• Improve the visibility and accessibility of Early Childhood Development research led by Africa-based African researchers.

Advocacy and dissemination

• Communicate and share Early Childhood Development evidence widely to influence policy and practice

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31 researchers from 10 African countries have been awarded grants of up to $15,000. More than half of the grantees (55%) are women, strengthening women’s leadership and impact in Early Childhood Development research across the region.

These grants were delivered in partnership with the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre, with funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange.

Learn more

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Members of the Early Childhood Development Advisory Group

• Professor Mavis Dako-Gyeke (University of Ghana) 

• Professor Belay Hagos (Addis Ababa University) 

• Dr Mary Goretti Nakabugo (Executive Director, Uwezo Uganda) 

• Professor Efua Irene Amenyah Sarr (Gaston Berger University, Senegal) 

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Publications

Policy Briefs

• Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Ghana through Context-Relevant Research

• Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Kenya through Context-Relevant Research

• Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Tanzania through Context-Relevant Research

• Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Uganda through Context-Relevant Research

Blogs

• Locally Produced Early Childhood Development Research in Mozambique: Trends, Challenges, Opportunities and Future Directions 

Reports

• Writing for Publication in High Impact Journals –  Mentorship and Workshop for Early Childhood Development Researchers in sub-Saharan Africa

• Early Childhood Development Research Dissemination Workshop – From Evidence to Policy Action: Reframing African Early Childhood Development Evidence for Systems Change

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Phase One: Mapping the Early Childhood Development Research Ecosystem

In Phase 1, the project  mapped the ecosystem of Early Childhood Development researchers and their needs in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Mozambique. This mapping generated a number of valuable insights and actionable findings to guide the future of Early Childhood Development research and policy.

 Findings from Phase One include:

• Uneven funding distribution: Health receives the largest share of research funding, while areas like play and responsive caregiving are underfunded and underexplored.   

• Gender disparities: Female researchers are underrepresented in the field, particularly in international publications, highlighting the need for greater inclusivity in academia. 

• Fragmented collaboration: Africa-based researchers collaborate more with colleagues outside Africa than with peers within the continent.

Learn more about Phase one

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Together, these efforts aim to build a more inclusive, well-connected, and impactful Early Childhood Development research ecosystem —one that directly informs policies and practices to improve the lives of young children across Africa.