Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) Implementation Science School is an intensive programme for early-career researchers, facilitated by some of the field’s most prominent global experts. Through lectures, small group sessions, facilitated group work, and panel discussions, trainees learn how to study and implement research findings into policy and practice, select and apply theories, models, and frameworks, and create a professional network for future collaborations.
The aims of the School include:
- To introduce early- and mid-career researchers to the field of implementation science.
- To facilitate collaboration and networking.
- To explore examples of implementation research and the process of moving research findings into policy and practice.
The School is intended for early-career researchers, particularly those based in institutions in low- and middle-income countries who are already participating in, or intend to actively participate in, an implementation research activity related to non-communicable diseases. Up to forty trainees will be selected for the School.
Overview of live sessions
Below is an overview of the School dates for 2023. The School’s training materials and live interactions are accessible entirely online. Trainees are expected to attend all plenary sessions and all relevant group sessions.
All times are listed in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on the dates specified. You are strongly encouraged to double check conversion to your local time.
- Trainee orientation session
- Plenary session on 14 September 2023 at 11:00-12:00 UTC
- Session 1: Introduction to implementation science
- Plenary session on 18 September 2023 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
- Group session A on 18 September 2023 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
- Group session B on 19 September 2023 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
- Session 2: The nuts and bolts of implementation science
- Plenary session on 20 September 2023 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
- Group session A on 20 September 2023 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
- Group session B on 21 September 2023 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
- Session 3: Stakeholder engagement
- Plenary session on 25 September 2023 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
- Group session A on 25 September 2023 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
- Group session B on 26 September 2023 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
- Session 4: A population perspective for implementation research
- Plenary session on 27 September 2023 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
- Group session A on 27 September 2023 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
- Group session B on 28 September 2023 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
- Session 5: Research funding, capacity strengthening, and career development
- Plenary session on 2 October 2023 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
- Group session A on 2 October 2023 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
- Group session B on 3 October 2023 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
- Session 6: Team presentations and reflections
- Plenary session on 4 October 2023 at 11:15-13:15 UTC
Access to learning materials
Selected trainees are asked to watch all the lecture recording under the Fundamentals Programme on the GACD e-Hub in advance of the School start date. All materials forming the core learning of the School are open access.
Eligibility and applications
Eligible applicants include people who meet one of the following criteria:
- Have completed or are undertaking postgraduate coursework or research related to health science or public health (or a related field).
- Have recently completed a PhD relevant to implementation science.
- Are other relevant graduates with up to 5 years research experience.
Preference will be given to:
- Applicants whose research is connected with a GACD project or are focused on non-communicable diseases.
- Applicants from low- and middle-income countries or members of Indigenous communities.
- Early- and mid-career applicants undertaking their research within low- and middle-income countries or with Indigenous populations in high-income countries.
To ensure international diversity, trainees from any one institution may be limited. Attendees from previous GACD Implementation Science Schools will not be eligible for this event.
Applicants will be asked to submit the following information during the application process for consideration by the selection committee:
- A personal statement on why you are a good candidate for the School.
- Your two main objectives in attending the School.
- A structured abstract of an implementation science project you are working on or would like to work on in the future, detailing:
- Project title, the implementation gap, the extent of the issue in your local context, barriers and enablers, implementation strategies, and research methods.
- These may be details you are considering, planning to use, or currently using in your project.
- The project can be hypothetical if you are not currently working on an implementation research study.
- Your curriculum vitae (CV) / resume.
- Letter of support from your mentor or supervisor.
- A photograph of yourself .
GACD wish to ensure a diversity in the attendees across geography, institution, gender, and pending exceptional circumstances, only one applicant per institute or centre will be accepted.
Applications for GACD’s Sixth Implementation Science School 2023 are now open and you can access the application form here. Applications will close at 08:00 BST on Monday 19 June 2023.
