CONNECTED - COmmunity Network for africaN vECTor borne plant viruses
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
We propose a network in Vector Borne Disease (VBD) Research focusing on improved control of Plant Viruses, namely 'CONNECTED' - COmmunity Network for africaN vECTor borne plant viruses. Our focus is Sub Saharan Africa, one of the poorest regions of the world and in which VBDs create highly significant constraints for production of staple and cash crops, for example cassava (cassava brown streak and mosaic diseases), sweet potato (sweet potato virus disease), maize (maize lethal necrosis) and yam (badnaviruses and yam mosaic virus diseases). Limiting production causes poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition, which in turn prevents economic and social development. Emergence of new VBDs in combination with climate change, resource limitations and a growing population will impact this region sooner and more significantly than other parts of the world and is of global significance.
More effective agricultural research communities producing a pipeline of innovative disease control strategies are needed to increase agricultural productivity, improve incomes and market participation for smallholder farmers. 'CONNECTED' seeks to improve livelihoods of people in Sub-Saharan Africa by, firstly, engaging with established networks, stakeholders and funders in the region to focus and refine the most pressing research targets, preventing overlap with existing activities and targeting the work of the network to ensure UK academic excellence has maximum impact. Secondly, 'CONNECT' will pump prime a number of targeted innovative activities to generate tangible outputs in the short term, provide capacity building and training for virologists and other beneficiaries in the region. Finally, we will focus on growing 'CONNECTED' beyond researchers and other practitioners, to policy makers, funders, extension services, and certification schemes to generate a forum for knowledge exchange and sustainable activity in the field of VBD, ensuring UK academic excellence targets its research to deliver regional development impact beyond the three years of the project.
CONNECTED has assembled an inter-disciplinary management board with an independent chair, an experienced management team and effective governance structure. Every member has active collaborations in Sub Saharan Africa working on diverse but complementary aspects of VBD control, ensuring the work undertaken is relevant, novel and utilises academic excellence most efficiently. We have board members from five significant research institutes in East and West Africa (IITA, KALRO, KEPHIS, AATF and NARO), providing the focus for the network activities within three Lower Middle Income Countries as defined by OECD's Development Assistance Committee, namely Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. We have leading experts on VBD as well as specialists in sustainability, social and environmental sciences, impact, learning, evaluation and inter-disciplinarity. Our board covers not just academic research organisations, but policy, extension and certification within the region, so as to not just focus on research excellence, but to deliver long lasting impact in the region. The board has identified five key areas where 'CONNECTED' will benefit sustainable VBD control: 1. Control strategies, 2. Vector biology, 3 New Diseases, 4. Vector/Virus Interactions, 5. Diagnostics/Surveillance/Forecasting; as identified by the ODA relevance statement. The board has decided to focus beyond specific single crop VBDs to include all VBDs of importance to African smallholders. To date international investment has focused predominantly on specific VBDs (e.g. in cassava and sweet potato) with some neglected and emerging VBDs (e.g. in yams, maize and beans) remaining under-researched. A major aim of CONNECTED will be to connect UK and African experts to pull together knowledge across crops, disciplines and regions to have maximum impact on food security from the mixed cropping systems important to smallholders.
More effective agricultural research communities producing a pipeline of innovative disease control strategies are needed to increase agricultural productivity, improve incomes and market participation for smallholder farmers. 'CONNECTED' seeks to improve livelihoods of people in Sub-Saharan Africa by, firstly, engaging with established networks, stakeholders and funders in the region to focus and refine the most pressing research targets, preventing overlap with existing activities and targeting the work of the network to ensure UK academic excellence has maximum impact. Secondly, 'CONNECT' will pump prime a number of targeted innovative activities to generate tangible outputs in the short term, provide capacity building and training for virologists and other beneficiaries in the region. Finally, we will focus on growing 'CONNECTED' beyond researchers and other practitioners, to policy makers, funders, extension services, and certification schemes to generate a forum for knowledge exchange and sustainable activity in the field of VBD, ensuring UK academic excellence targets its research to deliver regional development impact beyond the three years of the project.
CONNECTED has assembled an inter-disciplinary management board with an independent chair, an experienced management team and effective governance structure. Every member has active collaborations in Sub Saharan Africa working on diverse but complementary aspects of VBD control, ensuring the work undertaken is relevant, novel and utilises academic excellence most efficiently. We have board members from five significant research institutes in East and West Africa (IITA, KALRO, KEPHIS, AATF and NARO), providing the focus for the network activities within three Lower Middle Income Countries as defined by OECD's Development Assistance Committee, namely Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. We have leading experts on VBD as well as specialists in sustainability, social and environmental sciences, impact, learning, evaluation and inter-disciplinarity. Our board covers not just academic research organisations, but policy, extension and certification within the region, so as to not just focus on research excellence, but to deliver long lasting impact in the region. The board has identified five key areas where 'CONNECTED' will benefit sustainable VBD control: 1. Control strategies, 2. Vector biology, 3 New Diseases, 4. Vector/Virus Interactions, 5. Diagnostics/Surveillance/Forecasting; as identified by the ODA relevance statement. The board has decided to focus beyond specific single crop VBDs to include all VBDs of importance to African smallholders. To date international investment has focused predominantly on specific VBDs (e.g. in cassava and sweet potato) with some neglected and emerging VBDs (e.g. in yams, maize and beans) remaining under-researched. A major aim of CONNECTED will be to connect UK and African experts to pull together knowledge across crops, disciplines and regions to have maximum impact on food security from the mixed cropping systems important to smallholders.
Technical Summary
VBDs cause constraints for production of staple and cash crops. Studies on vector diversity and dynamics critically at the landscape level, including understanding population dynamics within and between seasons and relative changes in virus incidence are all critical to improved forecasting and surveillance, and to assess the impact of climate change. To make progress we need to bring together an interdisciplinary community Network of researchers and stakeholders to bring innovative solutions to these intractable problems. We will focus the work in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda and have in our network/management board the most respected research, extension and certification organisations (IITA, KALRO, NARO, AATA and KEPHIS) from these countries. The work can be summarised as 1. Control strategies, 2. Vector biology, 3 New Diseases, 4. Vector/Virus Interactions, 5. Diagnostics/Surveillance/Forecasting. The aims of the project are to first, build a network of interdisciplinary academic scientists in the UK and internationally who can work with stakeholders in the region to identify significant research questions. By building the network we will connect with on-going activities e.g. through AgShare Today to ensure there is no duplication with existing work, providing value for money and maximising impact. Second, we will fund pump-prime projects in our five target areas. Grant writing workshops in Kenya and Uganda will ensure regional collaboration, capacity building and support for early-career scientists are key objectives. Thirdly, recognising the project has a finite time span in its current form a key objective is to ensure that the work done in building and connecting the network becomes sustainable. By demonstrating the outputs and quantifying the impacts that the project makes to international funders and stakeholders we aim to secure CONNECTED as a self sustaining community meeting the needs of VBD research and providing a project legacy into the future.
Planned Impact
The proposed COmmunity Network for africaN vECTor borne plant viruses, CONNECTED seeks to make considerable impact to a wide range of actors who will benefit from the network and the research being funded. Our focus is Sub Saharan Africa, one of the poorest regions of the world and in which VBDs create highly significant constraints for production of staple and cash crops, limiting productivity, causing poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition, which in turn prevents economic and social development.
CONNECTED will initially impact academic beneficiaries by funding collaborative, interdisciplinary pump-prime research work for example on vector diversity and dynamics, vector-host-pathogen interactions with a focus on in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. This will enhance the research capacity, knowledge and skills of organisations in these countries as well as the UK. By delivering training to collaborative partners we will achieve instrumental and conceptual impacts on academic beneficiaries, in particular early career researchers who will be able to apply those techniques in future research activities. We will deliver training on new approaches to detection of VBD and use of techniques for forecasting and surveillance. Expertise in virology and vector entomology is presently very scarce in much of Sub Saharan Africa, and hence impact here will be clear. The training will also lead to capacity building impacts for extension and certification organisations by training of skilled people working in non-academic professions.
By bringing together key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain (e.g. Kephis and AATA) into the CONNECTED Network and facilitating interaction with and between academic practitioners (in the UK and Africa), we expect to make a conceptual impact on the approaches of policy makers, certification and extension bodies, which will contribute towards evidence based policy-making. The network will provide a platform for influencing public policies and legislation initially at a national level in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
In our aim to achieve impact, we will ensure discussions are held at the Network inception meeting regarding activities already occurring in these and neighbouring countries. African members will familiarise UK network members with their knowledge of the work already underway that has encouraged African country government policy support and funding flows from within Africa. The kick off meetings will be used to draft 'a theory of change' for the network with clear actors and impact pathways for each of the countries focused on. This will then form the basis of the partnership plan and the performance assessment of the assumptions underpinning these pathways towards the outcomes sought (products, services, knowledge, capacity etc.) as well as the impacts such as improved food security, income and choices for farmers including smallholder farmers.
Ultimately these impacts will be felt at the international level in other countries in Sub Saharan Africa where VBD problems are shared and the Network will reach. By bringing together academic beneficiaries together with organisations such as African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) who are responsible for promoting public/private partnerships for the delivery of appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers. We will achieve conceptual impacts not just to the academic beneficiaries in terms of better understanding of the delivery of practical solutions, but also to private companies understanding developments as they begin to become available.
We will achieve instrumental impacts, by delivering protocols for improved practice in the control of VBD, improved control will enhance the economic prospects of small-holder farmers, improving their quality of life, health and well-being.
CONNECTED will initially impact academic beneficiaries by funding collaborative, interdisciplinary pump-prime research work for example on vector diversity and dynamics, vector-host-pathogen interactions with a focus on in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. This will enhance the research capacity, knowledge and skills of organisations in these countries as well as the UK. By delivering training to collaborative partners we will achieve instrumental and conceptual impacts on academic beneficiaries, in particular early career researchers who will be able to apply those techniques in future research activities. We will deliver training on new approaches to detection of VBD and use of techniques for forecasting and surveillance. Expertise in virology and vector entomology is presently very scarce in much of Sub Saharan Africa, and hence impact here will be clear. The training will also lead to capacity building impacts for extension and certification organisations by training of skilled people working in non-academic professions.
By bringing together key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain (e.g. Kephis and AATA) into the CONNECTED Network and facilitating interaction with and between academic practitioners (in the UK and Africa), we expect to make a conceptual impact on the approaches of policy makers, certification and extension bodies, which will contribute towards evidence based policy-making. The network will provide a platform for influencing public policies and legislation initially at a national level in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
In our aim to achieve impact, we will ensure discussions are held at the Network inception meeting regarding activities already occurring in these and neighbouring countries. African members will familiarise UK network members with their knowledge of the work already underway that has encouraged African country government policy support and funding flows from within Africa. The kick off meetings will be used to draft 'a theory of change' for the network with clear actors and impact pathways for each of the countries focused on. This will then form the basis of the partnership plan and the performance assessment of the assumptions underpinning these pathways towards the outcomes sought (products, services, knowledge, capacity etc.) as well as the impacts such as improved food security, income and choices for farmers including smallholder farmers.
Ultimately these impacts will be felt at the international level in other countries in Sub Saharan Africa where VBD problems are shared and the Network will reach. By bringing together academic beneficiaries together with organisations such as African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) who are responsible for promoting public/private partnerships for the delivery of appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers. We will achieve conceptual impacts not just to the academic beneficiaries in terms of better understanding of the delivery of practical solutions, but also to private companies understanding developments as they begin to become available.
We will achieve instrumental impacts, by delivering protocols for improved practice in the control of VBD, improved control will enhance the economic prospects of small-holder farmers, improving their quality of life, health and well-being.
Organisations
- University of Bristol (Lead Research Organisation)
- Kenya Agriculture & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) (Collaboration)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Collaboration)
- INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (Collaboration)
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) (Collaboration)
- Newcastle University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH (Collaboration)
- Fera Science Limited (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- University of Idaho (Collaboration)
- AgShare Today (Collaboration)
- University of the West of England (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GHANA (Collaboration)
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (Collaboration)
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB) (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Gary Foster (Principal Investigator) | |
Neil Boonham (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Adenka K
(2021)
Susceptibility of five cabbage varieties to attack by aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the Accra plains of Ghana
in Phytoparasitica
Amour M
(2023)
Efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ) and their effects on its feeding behaviour
in Journal of Applied Entomology
Arinaitwe W
(2023)
Induction of aphid resistance in tobacco by the cucumber mosaic virus CMV?2b mutant is jasmonate-dependent.
in Molecular plant pathology
Title | 2020 Animation on plant health |
Description | Following the success of our 2019 CONNECTED cassava animation, we were keen to engage with more University of West of England (UWE) students with a view to commissioning a second animation, this time focused on plant health in maize. CONNECTED Communications Officer, Richard Wyatt, and Network Manager, Diane Hird, gave a presentation to UWE undergraduates on 3rd February followed by a Q&A session. As a result 2 student groups pitched their ideas and, with the input of UWE academics, we selected one of these groups. We will now work with them to help them deliver the final animation in May/June 2020. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | Ongoing collaboration with UWE to request 'live briefs' as part of Animation undergraduate and postgraduate courses |
Title | 2021 Animation on CONNECTED activities |
Description | Following the success of our 2020 and 2019 animations we were keen to engage with more University of West of England (UWE) students with a view to commissioning a third animation that communicates the importance of what we do, emphasises our track record in research, training and network collaboration - and stresses that we need to go further. This animation is intended for promotional use by the Network Team, our Directors, Management Board and all Network members as part of our work to secure further funding for CONNECTED. CONNECTED Communications Officer, Richard Wyatt prepared a brief for the students, and Network Manager, Diane Hird, gave a presentation to UWE undergraduates on 23rd February 2021 followed by a Q&A session. As a result 2 student groups pitched their ideas and, with the input of UWE academics, Richard Wyatt and Diane Hird have selected one of these groups to take forward. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | Animation not yet produced |
Title | About CONNECTED and what the Network could do with new funding |
Description | About CONNECTED and what the Network could do with new funding |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | None. |
URL | https://vimeo.com/701647173 |
Title | CONNECTED Network: Looking ahead |
Description | Film outlining the need for CONNECTED going forward, aimed at potential new funders. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | None. |
URL | https://vimeo.com/701646793 |
Title | CONNECTED is a global, multidisciplinary network |
Description | Film illustrating what CONENCTED is, does, and the need to continue. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | None. |
URL | https://vimeo.com/701646414 |
Title | CONNECTED plant vector-borne disease animation |
Description | Working with the University of the West of England in Bristol, CONNECTED has run a competition to award a student animation team the opportunity to create an animation that represents the work of the CONNECTED network and our community. The aim was to build a relationship with UWE Animation academics and engage local students in the issues CONECTED is tackling, whilst rewarding local talent. This project was a live brief for the undergraduate and post-graduate students. CONNECTED Communications Officer gave a talk to students describing the project, and 3 groups pitched for it. Working with UWE academics, the successful student team has been selected, scripts have been written and preliminary artwork and material has been shown to CONNECTED. The student team have also visited the University of Bristol's Life Sciences Building to spend more time with the team, see what we do and gain more background to CONNECTED to enhance their work. Animation to be completed by summer 2019. Update |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Ongoing collaboration with UWE animation academics and students. |
Title | Film - 'An introduction to virus and vector diagnostics': training course run by CONNECTED and BecA-ILRI Hub |
Description | A short film has been made and published, focusing on the training course 'An introduction to virus and vector diagnostics' run by CONNECTED and BecA-ILRI Hub |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | It has been viewed on the Facebook page 635 times; and 85 times on Vimeo |
URL | https://vimeo.com/333054158 |
Title | Film - CONNECTED Virus-Vector, Vice-Versa (V4) Early Career Researcher Training |
Description | A short film has been made and published, focusing on the CONNECTED fully-funded training course Virus-Vector, Vice-Versa (V4). This event was held in Bristol in June 2019 |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | It has been viewed on the Facebook page 827 times; and 261 times on Vimeo |
URL | http://bit.ly/36dYhhQ |
Title | Film - Research project: Improving disease resistance in Kenyan crops, cabbage and kale |
Description | A short film has been made and published, focusing on some CONNECTED pump-prime funded research project: Improving disease resistance in Kenyan crops, cabbage and kale |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | It has been viewed on the Facebook page 604 times; and 101 times on Vimeo |
URL | http://bit.ly/2YoW1Qx |
Title | Film - Two of CONNECTED pump-prime funded research projects: Maize disease in Kenya |
Description | A short film has been made and published focusing on 2 of the CONNECTED pump-prime funded research projects based in Kenya, working with maize |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | It has been viewed on the Facebook page 263 times; and 153 times on Vimeo |
URL | http://bit.ly/2XJwtNA |
Title | Infographic on banana and plantain |
Description | A new infographic, focused on the impact of plant disease in banana and plantain crops, was published in 2020, and used on the CONNECTED website and in its social media channels . |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Facebook page 287 times The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Twitter channel 9,693 times The infographic has been viewed in an animated form on the CONNECTED Vimeo channel 5 times It has also been viewed as part of our wider infographic collection on the CONNECTED website 425 views, average time spent on page 2m 32s |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/resources/infographics/ |
Title | Infographic on cassava |
Description | An infographic, focused on cassava, was published on the CONNECTED website and in its social media channels . Hard copies are used alongside previously-produced infographics as part of CONNECTED awareness-raising efforts at conferences and other events. |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | The infographics have received 122 views from the publicly available page and 56 from the members only section. |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/resources/infographics/ |
Title | Infographic on sweetpotato |
Description | A new infographic, focused on sweet potato, was published in June 2019, and used on the CONNECTED website and in its social media channels . Hard copies are used alongside previously-produced infographics as part of CONNECTED awareness-raising efforts at conferences and other events. |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | The infographics have received 122 views from the publicly available page and 56 from the members only section. |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/resources/infographics/ |
Title | Infographic on yam |
Description | An infographic, focused on yam, was published on the CONNECTED website and in its social media channels . Hard copies are used alongside previously-produced infographics as part of CONNECTED awareness-raising efforts at conferences and other events. |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | The infographics have received 122 views from the publicly available page and 56 from the members only section. |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/resources/infographics/ |
Title | Plant pathology meets entomology |
Description | Film video describing how the CONNECTED Network connects expertise in plant pathology and entomology. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | None. |
URL | https://vimeo.com/702058817 |
Title | Update on 2019 Animation |
Description | In September 2019 the CONNECTED Network published a 90-second animated film about plant diseases that devastate African food crops. CONNECTED worked in partnership with two students from The University of The West of England (UWE) to make the film, aimed at non-expert laypeople, outlining how the staple food crop cassava is destroyed in Sub-Saharan African countries by viruses carried by whiteflies. It drew attention to the way the CONNECTED Virus Network is bringing together world-class researchers from across the globe to address these issues. Students Eve Bannister and Charlotte May were successful in a process which saw students pitch to the CONNECTED Network to create a film which, with the co-operation of their tutors, would form a key component of their second year of studies. The film can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/CassavaAnimation It has been viewed on the Facebook page over 1,000 times; on Vimeo 395 times, and in Twitter 2,147 times. Examples of some of the channels to have publicised and shared the animation: International Society for Plant Pathology Global Plant Council American Phytopathology Society (news article due to be published in November news publication) Biosciences for Farming in Africa |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | The animation also used and shared in internal communications channels, and in presentations and events, and in closed Facebook groups, run by organisations including: VIRCA Cassava Project AgShare.Today Uganda Biosciences Information Center International Society for Tropical Root Crops Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century |
URL | http://bit.ly/CassavaAnimation |
Title | Update on 2019 CONNECTED plant vector-borne disease animation |
Description | Update on this animation, produced by animation students at the University of the West of England in Bristol. These are the latest viewing figures for this animation. The web page news post about the animation has been viewed 182 times. The animation has been viewed on our Facebook channel 4,200 time (FB rounds up above a certain level) It has been viewed in Twitter 15,513 times and on our Vimeo channel 545 times |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Ongoing collaboration with UWE animation academics and students. |
Title | Update on CONNECTED 2020 animation |
Description | In May 2020 CONNECTED published a 2-minute animation about CONNECTED activities with a particular focus on maize crops. CONNECTED worked in partnership with two students from The University of The West of England (UWE) Julia Vaccina Makar and Kye Ottley, to make the film, aimed at non-expert laypeople. The students worked from a series of images and other information supplied by a number of researchers working in African countries. The animation draws attention to the impact of plant disease in crops in Sub-Saharan African countries and the importance of using diagnostic techniques to monitor disease spread. The film explains that CONNECTED provide training in diagnostic techniques to researchers across Sub-Saharan Africa, and that they in turn are sharing this knowledge with others. It also conveys the fact that CONNECTED fund research projects to learn more about plant health and that the CONNECTED is building a global network of researchers, sharing expertise to improve food security across Africa. Students Julia Vaccina Makar and Kye Ottley were successful in a process which saw students pitch to the CONNECTED Network to create a film which, with the co-operation of their tutors, would form a key component of their second year of studies. The film can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/419837514 It has been viewed on the Facebook page over 3700 times; on Vimeo 449 times, and in Twitter 22,334 times. The web page news post about the animation has been viewed 85 times. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | The animation was posted on YouTube by Euphresco as part of their Plant TV contest. The animation has been viewed 277 on this channel. https://www.euphresco.net/contest/ Ongoing collaboration with UWE to request 'live briefs' as part of Animation undergraduate and postgraduate courses |
URL | https://vimeo.com/419837514 |
Title | Update on cassava, yam and sweet potato infographics |
Description | Infographics to demonstrate the impact of plant disease in these crops were created in 2018 and 2019. |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Update on viewing figures of these resources. The figures below show the total views of these resources to date Cassava: The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Facebook page 2,839 times The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Twitter channel 15,413 times The infographic has been viewed in an animated form on the CONNECTED Vimeo channel 61 times It has also been viewed as part of our wider infographic collection on the CONNECTED website 425 views Yam: The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Facebook page 987 times The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Twitter channel 19,367 times The infographic has been viewed in an animated form on the CONNECTED Vimeo channel 37 times It has also been viewed as part of our wider infographic collection on the CONNECTED website 425 views Sweet potato: The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Facebook page 1,222 times The infographic has been viewed on the CONNECTED Twitter channel 10,957 times The infographic has been viewed in an animated form on the CONNECTED Vimeo channel 74 times It has also been viewed as part of our wider infographic collection on the CONNECTED website 425 views |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/resources/infographics/ |
Title | Why CONNECT plant pathology and entomology? |
Description | Outlines the need for the CONNECTED Network to link plant pathology and entomology expertise to tackle vector-borne crop diseases. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | None. |
URL | https://vimeo.com/701647039 |
Description | CONNECTED has targeted a significant portion of resources towards training early career researchers (ECRs) from DAC-list countries in techniques/topics of plant vector borne disease (VBD). These opportunities have built valuable research and training capacity in DAC-list countries for plant VBD research, changing attitudes/practices, and increasing knowledge, skills, and professional networks. These outcomes have contributed to economic development and welfare by building capacity, enhancing careers, generating research and teaching outcomes, and knowledge/skills sharing. We've awarded 128 training places to network members, 40 female, 88 male (95 ECRs) from 18 different countries: Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, Zambia, Zimbabwe. In addition we've trained more than 100 ECRs in communications skills via online sessions. CONNCTED has established 3 new partnerships to deliver our training: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), BecA Hub-IlRI, IITA. In the 2020-2021 Researchfish period, this comprised more than 100 DAC-list ECRs. Training provided was as follows: • T19 - 1 ECR • Online communications training: +100 ECRs trained from 27countries. We monitor the impact of the training we provide. Of those delegates attending CONNECTED training courses (V4, BecA-ILRI and IITA Diagnostics courses) or external training events (SLU Bioinformatics course, TVS, T19): 95.5% of delegates have applied their new skills/knowledge to new/existing projects;79.5% of delegates reported that the skills/knowledge they gained have improved the quality of their research a lot (18.2% reported medium improvements). Of those with teaching responsibilities, 83.3% reported that the skills/knowledge they gained have improved the quality of their teaching a lot; 100% of delegates said they have shared the new skills/knowledge they gained with others. The new skills/knowledge has been shared with at least 525 other people (up to 895 and maybe more). 95.5% of delegates shared with research group colleagues, 40.9% with undergraduates, and 38.6% with postgraduates. 61.4% shared the new skills/knowledge within 3 months of attending the course; 38.6% shared within 3-6 months after the course. There was a fairly even distribution of methods used to share the skills/knowledge: Lectures 34.1%; Lab practicals 61.4%; Seminars/tutorials 45.5%; Research supervision 50%. 61.4% of delegates reported that taking part in the training enhanced their professional network and relationships a lot; 84.1% have been in contact with new connections made; 72.7% have been in contact with existing professional connections strengthened/deepened during the course. The 44 delegates are already in communication with a total of 478 new professional connections made through their CONNECTED training (including national and international interdisciplinary contacts). They have also been in touch with at least 337 existing contacts with whom they strengthened their professional relationships during the training. 70.5% of these communications were for research collaborations; 43.2% were for networking events; 31.8% were for funding applications. CONNECTED Clusters project: we have developed a capacity building programme to embed multidisciplinary expertise from the global CONNECTED membership within 'skills hubs' in partner organisations (BecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi; IITA, Ibadan) in SSA. We evolved our interdisciplinary training course, 'Vector and Virus Diagnostics' (VVD), into online training. Additionally, the project co-designed and co-produced a novel Train-the-Trainer (TtT) capacity building, offering enabling Africa-based researchers to deliver the VVD course in their home institutions. CONNECTED has pump primed a portfolio of 20 novel, innovative projects representing an interlinked research programme between the UK, DAC-list countries, and other countries (14 countries in total), involving 11 different crops and collaborations of 55 researchers in 34 institutions. PPF expressions of interest established a further 62 novel collaborations directly through CONNECTED. These projects all contribute to one or more of UK's 5 research priority areas for VBD, filling gaps in research capacity, and also training/developing ECRs in interdisciplinary plant VBD. 18/20 of the PPF projects completed a report on the outputs and outcomes of their project. Analysis of this data shows the following: New working relationships - Of the 18 respondents, 67% said that they had developed new relationships in DAC-recipient list countries directly involved in the project. The majority were with farmers (259), then researchers (40), followed by extension workers (24). There were also 12 new relationships with technicians, 7 with policy makers/government departments, and 1 with an unlisted organisation. Respondents noted that 21 of their new working relationships with researchers, 20 of their relationships with farmers, and 14 of their relationships with extension workers were interdisciplinary in nature. Wider international community, including the United Kingdom - Of the 18 respondents, 44% said that they had developed new relationships with the wider international community. The majority were with policy makers/government departments (62), then with farmers (50), followed by researchers (25). There were also 5 new relationships with technicians and 5 with extension workers. The respondents recorded that some of these new working relationships were interdisciplinary relationships. Capacity Building amongst PPF team members - The PPF team members learned a wide variety of new skills including lab techniques (16), grant writing and project management (14 each), fieldwork (12). Of the team members who learnt these new skills, the most recorded was the Co-I (14), followed by ECRs (12), then the PI (11). 5 respondents noted that other team members learnt these new skills. Improved/strengthened existing skills - All respondents recorded that PPF team members have improved or strengthened existing skills as a result of applying for, managing, and carrying out this PPF project. These include grant writing (15), communication/presentation (15), and data handling/data analysis (15), project management (14) and specific lab techniques (14), followed by field sampling techniques (13). The improvement/strengthening of existing skills was not limited to any one team member. 15 respondents noted that the Co-I improved/strengthened their existing skills, followed by the PI and ECRs (12 each), then other team members (4). 33% of respondents recorded that they received more responsibility or were they promoted due to the PPF project. Capacity Building at the institute level - PPF team members mostly use their new skills in their current PPF project (29%) or in order to develop new projects (29%). 23% of respondents reported that they also use these new skills on other current projects, while 19% reported that they use their new skills to extend the scope of another current project. |
Exploitation Route | CONNECTED did a large amount of work at the start on bringing together members and gathering insight into top plant VBD research and community needs priorities through our question setting workshops. A large number of concept notes were then written, some of which are currently being investigated through our PPF projects, which we anticipate will lead to larger academic projects and publications in due course. The CONNECTED theory of change which defined our core activity areas of network activities, pump prime funding, and training opportunities demonstrates to stakeholders, policymakers and funders how beneficial impact on food security and reduced poverty for smallholder farmers is achievable through our network. The database of CONNECTED members will continue to be a resource for plant VBD stakeholders for identifying and uniting interdisciplinary expertise. The CONNECTED community together identified our interdisciplinary niche of bringing together plant pathology with entomology. The cohort of trained researchers we've created will continue taking forward interdisciplinary plant VBD research internationally and the resources we've developed in this arena will continue to support researchers and teachers of plant VBD topics. The capacity we've built in partnership with Africa-based institutes is enabling plant protection organisations to fulfil their mandates. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Education |
URL | http://www.connectedvirus.net |
Description | The work of CONNECTED contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. This goal is to 'end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture'. Plant vector-borne diseases significantly constrain the production of staple and cash crops for smallholder farmers resulting in poverty and malnutrition and hampering economic and social development. The ongoing work of CONNECTED and the pump primed projects we've funded is creating long term impact through improved food security for smallholder farmers. This is being done through a wide range of actors within the agriculture value chain including academics and researchers within universities, government agencies, research institutes, plant certification systems, agribusiness and extension systems. CONNECTED has performed valuable research and teaching capacity building across a wide range of DAC-list countries through our interdisciplinary training courses and opportunities. To date we have awarded 146 training places to network members ( 105 of whom were ECRs) from 23 different countries: Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, Zambia, Zimbabwe. In addition we've trained more than 100 ECRs in communications skills via online sessions. See Key Findings for further details and breakdowns. From Jan 2018 onwards CONNECTED has awarded places on training course in a gender balanced way wherever possible. In moving to this position, we sought expert input from both the Cabot Institute (Bristol) and BBSRC. CONNECTED conducts network analysis to track the numbers of female and DAC-list researchers within our network, receiving our training, and integrated across our pump prime funding projects. As of 22nd Feb 2024, CONNECTED has 1,675 active members from 97 countries. The network represents a global body of knowledge and expertise, with membership across Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. The network has stimulated innovation through the pump prime funding of a portfolio of 20 novel pVBD research projects, representing new interdisciplinary collaborations between the UK, Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Ownership and management of the Network has been transferred to the B4A ILRI hub (Kenya) and IITA (Nigeria) to achieve ongoing impact. These projects are increasing access for researchers in the global south to training, facilities and methods, enhancing their professional networks. They are leading to new capacities, skills and practices being applied to pVBD research which will, in time, lead to increased productivity, income, food security and reduced poverty for smallholder farmers and farming families. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | CONNECTED expertise contributed to Home Office research sector roundtable discussions on visiting researcher visal refusals and solutions |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | CONNECTED expertise contributed to University of Bristol Research and Enterprise Development Official Development Assistance Toolkit for Academics |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Record of new aphid and its associated disease officially reported to Ghana's National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Description | Revised farmers guidelines to include management of poleroviruses in the field |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Description | 3-year GCRF-International Collaboration Award from the Royal Society. Project title: 'Characterization of viruses of whiteflies and aphids as potential agents for biocontrol of insects transmitting cassava and yam diseases' |
Amount | £223,097 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2020 |
End | 11/2023 |
Description | Award from Dean of Life Sciences, University of Bristol |
Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2021 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Award from PVC-Research, University of Bristol |
Amount | £9,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | BSPP Event Organisation Fund |
Amount | £4,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The British Society of Plant Pathology |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2021 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Bristol Centre for Agricultural Innovation (BCAI) |
Amount | £44,184 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | Bristol Centre for Agricultural Innovation (BCAI) |
Amount | £92,634 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Elizabeth Blackwell Institute - EBI Global Public Health - Workshop support |
Amount | £733 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Global online peer support mechanism for early career researchers in plant health and sustainable agriculture (CONNECTED) |
Amount | £1,200 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2021 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Incoming Fellowship for Dr Karavina (Zimbabwe) to visit Dr Nellist (UK) and sequence additional viruses from cucurbits and additional hosts. |
Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The British Society of Plant Pathology |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Internal GCRF funding call. Project area: To explore the role of endophytes in combating viruses in cucurbits. |
Amount | £7,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB) |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Our own crowd funding initiative using the JustGiving platform https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/connectednetwork |
Amount | £282 (GBP) |
Organisation | JustGiving |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2021 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | QR GCRF Impact Development awards 2020-21 |
Amount | £20,433 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2021 |
End | 07/2021 |
Description | Research England GCRF QR Funding 2020-21 Project title: The whitefly virome - A potential source of biocontrol agents to combat the insect vectors of viral diseases of cassava (Manihot esculenta) |
Amount | £77,656 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Top up on previous GCRF IAA 2018 award |
Amount | £9,580 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | UKRI Global IAA - Laboratory training course for Africa-based Early Career Researchers |
Amount | £23,924 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | UKRI International shared capability GCRF and Newton Consolidation Account (GNCA) |
Amount | £500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 03/2023 |
Title | A full-length clone of aphid lethal paralysis virus |
Description | As part of PPF#30 research project a full-length clone of aphid lethal paralysis virus has been produced |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This will be used to underpin further work and funding applications |
Title | A new diagnostic protocol was developed that specifically detects the episomal form of badnaviruses infecting yam. |
Description | As part of PPF#36 research project entitled 'Identification of mealybug vectors involved in the transmission of Dioscorea bacilliform viruses (DBVs) infecting yam in northern Nigeria' a new diagnostic protocol was developed which significantly improved the detection of episomal badnaviruses infecting yam. Additionally, DNA extraction and mtCO1 amplification protocols were optimized for mealybug DNA barcoding/identification. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | It is expected that the employment of efficient DBV diagnostic tools will enable the identification of areas with low insect vector pressure and re-infection rates needed for quality yam seed multiplications. |
Title | Creation and testing of virus infectious clones |
Description | As part of PPF#14 research project entitled 'Characterization of Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) vector specificity and the role of its coat protein DAG motif in vector transmission' mutant infectious clones have been made and tested in tobacco plants. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Infectious clones are a toll that can be used to understand plant-insect-virus interactions. The clones are being further evaluated as part of a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funding award with the University of Greenwich. |
Title | Extraction of good quality RNA from cassava roots |
Description | As part of PPF#23 research project entitled 'Is there a correlation between root necrosis symptoms and virus titre in cassava brown streak disease-affected cassava roots?' a method was developed for the extraction of good quality RNA from cassava roots. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | not known at present |
Title | First licensed entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) lab in Nigeria |
Description | As part of PPF#5 research project early career researchers developed new specialist skills in the biology of EPF and their evaluation as biopesticides. Insect pathology laboratories were established at IITA and Wesley University. Dialogue was established with the Nigerian plant health authorities over imports of EPF strains, and following inspection of facilities, approval was granted to hold imported EPF strains under licence. To our knowledge, the facility established at Wesley University is the first licenced EPF laboratory in Nigeria. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The establishment of this lab facility will allow researchers at Wesley University to further explore the use of entomopathogens as an essential component of integrated pest management (IPM) of cassava whiteflies. |
Title | Locally made insect clip cages developed for aphid/viral disease transmission experiment |
Description | As part of PPF#36 research project entitled 'Identification of mealybug vectors involved in the transmission of Dioscorea bacilliform viruses (DBVs) infecting yam in northern Nigeria' locally made insect clip cages were developed and used for aphid/viral disease transmission experiment. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Making this piece of experimental equipment locally, rather than having to rely on buying in equipment from elsewhere in the country (Nigeria) or importing it, means that researchers are better able to conduct research on the transmission of virus diseases by aphids. |
Title | Method for nanopore sequencing on plant and insect materials to identify plant and insect viruses |
Description | As part of PPF#30 research project entitled 'The prevalence of 'plant-vectored' insect-pathogenic viruses in Kenya and their potential for bio-control of plant virus vectors' researchers have established a method for Nanopore sequencing of cassava, yam sweet potato and associated whitefly and aphid vectors to identify plant and insect viruses. The protocol includes methods for quality control of extracted RNA and steps for subsequent handling. Also, the researchers have more sensitive primers to confirm the identities of plant and insect material. To validate the protocol, the researchers have used it to analyse insect (whiteflies and aphid) samples collected from fields in Cote d'Ivoire. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The protocol will be made available for use across the 10 Central and West African countries that are implementing the West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) project https://wave-center.org/ |
Title | Mobile phone app for improved plant disease detection in the field |
Description | As part of PPF#11 research project a mobile app for detection of maize lethal necrosis (MLN) /AMLN is undergoing testing in the field. Database development via insertion of images showing different disease symptoms including MLN/AMLN is on-going. Trained the system to recognize/identify MLND in the field for better detection of the disease using digital imaging. Currently testing the mobile App efficiency in the system to improve the accuracy in the field and inclusion of farmers, extension staff and other stakeholders to be part of the system as beneficiaries. Hosting of the web platform is under construction. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Testing the Mobile App in the field to improve the accuracy-Increased efficiency-now at 40% but 95% plus is expected once all the parameters including troubleshooting are set. |
Title | New Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) probe |
Description | As part of PPF#49 research project entitled ' Rapid and inexpensive diagnostic tools for virus disease surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa' a new RPA probe was developed. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This will be used in follow-up work to enhance the local capacity to produce diagnostic assays locally in Nigeria |
Title | PCR primers |
Description | As part of PPF#11 research project entitled 'Role of poleroviruses in maize lethal necrosis epidemics in Africa, a case study of Kenya' PCR primers were developed to study poleroviruses. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Poleroviruses are one component within the maize lethal necrosis disease complex (MLN). MLN causes serious economic losses in East Africa. Primers can be used to better detect poleroviruses within plant material. This will help researchers in disease monitoring and surveillance. |
Title | Sampling methods were developed to enable assessment of viral infection in plants within a field setting |
Description | As part of PPF #1 research project entitled 'Unifying CBSV surveillance' sampling methods were developed for on site assessment of cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | CBSV is a devastating disease that causes substantial economic losses in Sub-Saharan Africa. This work will contribute to research and surveillance of this disease. |
Title | 'Frameworks for agricultural innovation' survey |
Description | "Frameworks for agricultural innovation" is a new research project, undertaken by The CONNECTED Virus Network. It analyses what steps are most effective at turning scientific discoveries in the lab into real changes that have a positive impact on farmers' working lives in sub-Saharan African countries. It seeks to understand how agricultural research findings are turned into useful outputs - for example, new plant varieties, products or farming practices - that farmers can use. As a first step we have devised an anonymous online survey to find out: • which organisations are involved in agricultural innovation in different countries • what do those organisations do • how do they interact to create a framework for agricultural innovation • how they work well together • where barriers to progress exist. Participants are asked to give information about the range of agriculture-related organisations in the country where they work, and how they interact with each other. The organisations can be local, regional, national or international - they must impact agricultural innovation and application in some way. Participants are asked to give as much detail as possible. We have received 143 responses to the survey to date |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The data received will be analysed as part of the CONNECTED 'Frameworks for agricultural innovation" research project |
Title | Botanical insecticides used to manage insect pests in Africa and other geographic areas. |
Description | We collected and collated data on use of botanical pesticides across Africa and beyond. At the request of one of our PPF project PIs, we surveyed our Network membership to learn more about botanical insecticides used to manage insect pests in Africa and other geographic areas. We requested data on: - the plant species used to extract the botanical insecticide - the pest it is used to treat - the crop it is used in - the geographic area where it is used We received 52 responses. The information has been passed on to the PPF PI for his research. A tabulated dataset of all responses will also be made available on our website and Network members informed of this via our monthly newsletter, most likely in April 2020 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The data will be used in one of our PPF projects |
Title | Data on aphids/disease incidence and distribution in Ghana |
Description | As part of PPF#31 research project entitled 'Formal identification and characterisation of the viral pathogen causing a new aphid-associated disease of cabbage in Ghana' data on on aphids/disease incidence and distribution in Ghana was collected. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | not known at this time |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled ' Characterisation of Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) vector specificity and the role of its coat protein DAG motif in vector transmission' |
Description | A data set was created as part of the project to understand the vector specificity for cassava brown streak virus and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (U/CBSV). The research explored the possibility of aphids as potential vectors for U/CBSV. The project objectives were: 1. Identify whether CBSV can be transmitted by aphids under experimental conditions 2. Identify whether the CBSV CP DAG motif is involved with vector transmission 3. Characterise aphid populations found in CBSD infected cassava fields in Uganda and identify whether they contain U/CBSV. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Data on CBSV/UCBSV abundance at various locations gathered during the research project will serve as a base-line for future studies to determine if/how quickly the disease is spreading |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Cucurbit viruses and their control in the smallholder farming communities of Zimbabwe' |
Description | data set created as part of project that sought to address the hypothesis that pumpkin-infecting viruses are widespread and severe in Zimbabwe. Project objectives: 1. Assessment of the geographical distribution, incidence and severity of pumpkin-infecting viruses in Zimbabwe. 2. Characterization of the viruses infecting pumpkins in Zimbabwe. 3. Disseminating information about pumpkin viruses in Zimbabwe. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Full genome sequences of pumpkin-infecting viruses from Zimbabwe were generated and deposited in public databases. These can be used by Universities and research institutes to study mechanisms of pathogen evolution, development of ELISA test kits, breeding for disease resistance and development of other disease control strategies. |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Deployment of durable, broad-spectrum resistance to Turnip mosaic virus into Brassica oleracea in Sub-Saharan Africa' |
Description | Data set created as part of project with the following objectives: Obj. I Investigate the stability of retr01-based resistance to Kenyan isolates of TuMV Obj. II Commence the transfer of resistance from the A genome of B. rapa to the C genome of B. oleracea Obj. III Explore which copies of eIF4E and/or eIF(iso)4E TuMV can use in B. oleracea |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) for characterising virus diversity in vegetable crops to enable targeted resistance breeding in West Africa' |
Description | Data set created as part of project to understand the diversity and distribution of viruses is crucial for developing and deploying resistant varieties. Contemporary knowledge of what viruses are circulating are lacking in many DAC countries. This used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to investigate the presence and diversity of insect transmitted viruses in vegetable crops in west Africa. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Novel botanical formulations for treatment of virus vectors' |
Description | Data set created as part of a project to explore whether novel botanical formulations be used as interventions to reduce populations of virus vectors on crops and consequently prevent the spread of plant virus diseases. This included the following project objectives: • Prepare a range of novel nanoformulations of plant essential oil extracts • Conduct bioassays on the target virus vectors with novel nanotech formulations of plant secondary metabolites • Conduct preliminary evaluation of novel nanotech formulations of plant secondary metabolites for use against virus vectors • Determine which botanicals are widely used in Africa |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Occurrence, distribution and molecular diversity of virus stressors on groundnut crops in Kenya' |
Description | Data set created as part of project to identify viruses that cause disease in the main groundnut producing areas of Kenya and use this information to develop IPM control strategies. For example, to control the main insect vectors, or avoid planting when and where vectors are active. Project objectives were: 1. To determine occurrence and distribution of groundnut viral diseases in main growing areas of Kenya 2. To build capacity of MMUST scientist in plant virus detection and identify viruses causing the diseases in objective 1 above 3. To develop, optimise or devise diagnostic tools for the viruses identified in Objective 2 above. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Potential of entomopathogenic fungi as biopesticides of cassava whitefly' |
Description | data set created as part of project to explore whether commercial available entomopathogenic biopesticides and bioprospected isolates from the cassava ecosystem effective against cassava whiteflies With the following project objectives: 1) Evaluation methods for entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) strains 2) Isolation and genotyping of local African EPF strains 3) EPF strain phenotyping |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Rapid and inexpensive tools for the detection and Surveillance of viruses in insect vectors and hosts in Africa' |
Description | Dataset created as part of a project on the development of rapid inexpensive diagnostic tools for the detection and monitoring of vector borne viral plant disease infection in Sub Saharan Africa. Project objectives: • To develop simple and rapid diagnostic tests usable on-site for the surveillance of established and emerging virus threats to major food and horticultural crops in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) • To develop rapid Flow through assays for with a colorimetric readout for Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and Maize Streak Virus (MSV) • To validate recombinant polymerase assays (RPA) for Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) with Fluorescent (Exo kit, Twist-Dx) and lateral flow readouts (nfo kit Twist-Dx). and to compare commercially and laboratory produced lateral flow/flow through assays. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | Data set created as part of research project entitled 'Tracking genetic diversity and development of diagnostic tools for maize lethal necrosis (MLN) viruses in Uganda' |
Description | Data set created as part of project to explore whether diverse virus combinations affecting maize causing MLN across major maize growing areas of Uganda. Project objectives: Obj. I To determine incidence and severity of MLN in Uganda Obj. II To sequence and identify uncharacterized viruses causing MLN in Uganda Obj. III To develop diagnostic protocols of uncharacterized viruses causing MLN |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | An international collaboration of researchers have joined forces to work with this data along with other HTS sequencing data obtained in CONNECTED PPF research projects. |
Title | Nanopore sequencing data created as part of research project entitled 'Role of poleroviruses in maize lethal necrosis epidemics in Africa, a case study of Kenya' |
Description | Deep sequencing was carried out using the Oxford Nanopore system on Kenyan field samples of aphids, several other insects and maize. Sequences obtained from the Nanopore flow-cell were converted into fastq format for initial analysis using 'Centrifuge', a microbial classification engine that enables rapid, accurate, and sensitive labelling of reads and relative quantification of species. The metagenomic classifications can be explored in the 'Krona' visualisation tool with any Web Browser. A pooled maize metagenomic classification has been constructed. Individual maize and insect metagenomic classifications will follow shortly. Diseased maize plants exhibiting predominantly AMLN and MLN symptoms and associated insects were sampled from multiple sites. Typical and atypical MLN disease is caused by MCMV (a Machlomovirus) together with a potyvirus such as SCMV. While initial screening (by RT-PCR) of plant samples showed that diseased plants were all infected with aphid-transmitted viruses SCMV and MYDV (a polerovirus), the beetle-transmitted MCMV was not always detected. Pooled maize sample RNA was sequenced using Nanopore technology. Analysis of the maize virome confirmed the presence of SCMV (17% of all virus sequences) and MYDV (1% of all virus sequences) though MCMV was not detected. Nanopore sequencing of individual maize samples (in progress) will identify which samples were infected with MCMV in addition to SCMV and MYDV. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | An international collaboration of researchers have joined forces to work with this data along with other HTS sequencing data obtained in CONNECTED PPF research projects. |
Title | Pilot data set obtained as part of research project entitled 'Unifying CBSV surveillance' |
Description | A data set was created as part of the following project • Conduct surveillance work in Tanzania, DRC and Zambia in areas most recently affected by CBSD, and neighbouring areas immediately threatened • Apply a unified surveillance protocol to enable direct comparisons with data from different countries • Generate GIS maps that illustrate the current status of CBSD in the 'frontier' zones within which the most recent CBSD spread is occurring |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | The CONNECTED Network membership |
Description | Data is held on our 1400 Network members.This includes name, job description, research area of expertise and possible contribution to the network, organisation, country, type of professional affiliation, country, ORCID ID number.This dataset is searchable by our Network members and the CONNECTED team At 24 February 2020 CONNECTED had 1,312 subscribed members (this includes only those who are both recorded as members on our website, and who also remain subscribed to our mailing list). • CONNECTED members are 33.9% female, 64.1% male, with the remaining 1.9% preferring not to give their gender. • 80.1% of CONNECTED members are Early Career Researchers. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Researchers can search for other researchers, ask for help in research, establish collaborations, ask about training opportunities |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/members/directory/ |
Title | data set created as part of research project entitled 'Identification of vectors involved in the transmission of Maize chlorotic mottle virus infecting maize in Eastern Africa' |
Description | One of the project objectives was to investigate the diversity of invertebrates in maize fields in locations with high and low Maize Lethal Necrosis incidence. This resulted in sequence data from Minion sequencing of insect material. Novel metabarcoding methods to identify insects, based on MinIon sequencing, were evaluated |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | An international collaboration of researchers have joined forces to work with this data along with other HTS sequencing data obtained in CONNECTED PPF research projects. |
Title | data set created as part of research project entitled 'Low cost surveillance for sub-Saharan Africa' |
Description | Data set generated as part of a project o investigate to what extent small plots of sentinel plants reflect the vectors and diseases present in adjacent crops and provide earlier information on emerging risk. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will be used in the research project |
Title | dataset of virus sequences found in insect vectors in Kenya |
Description | As part of PPF#30 research project entitled 'The prevalence of 'plant-vectored' insect-pathogenic viruses in Kenya and their potential for bio-control of plant virus vectors' researchers have identified plant virus sequences from material obtained from insect vectors of plant viruses. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Currently, the project partners are in the process of analysing the sequences to determine conclusively which viruses are present in the insects that were sequenced. The associated data sets will be submitted to a database in the course of the development of scientific manuscripts for publication. |
Description | Access to AgShare.Today information library for CONNECTED network members |
Organisation | AgShare Today |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | CONNECTED contracted Dr Sandy Williams and her team from Scriptoria to run a soft skills workshop for early career researchers after the CONNECTED Uganda Launch Conference. One of the reasons for contracting Scriptoria and developing our relationship with Sandy was her prominent role within AgShre.Today. They kindly shared various CONNECTED news articles via their internet platform, accessing many relevant stakeholders. Discussions led to the information library that AgShare.Today members have access to and CONNECTED explored with Sandy the possibility of CONNECTED network members gaining access to this. During discussions led by Sandy at the BMGF meeting in Benin in June 2018, Program Officers at the Gates Foundation who commissioned AgShare.Today wholeheartedly endorsed our joint initiative to allow access to the AgShare.Today library for CONNECTED members. This has been granted and access is provided to all network members who join on a rolling basis. |
Collaborator Contribution | AgShare.Today have provided full access to the information library to all CONNECTED network members. |
Impact | Not aware of any at present. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Bristol Idaho vector-borne disease partnership |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | CONNECTED have funded several early career researchers (ECRs) to attend the University of Idaho in-person course Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases We have publicised their course via our outreach mechanisms. The relationship with Prof Shirley Luckhart has developed over the 3-4 years we've been funding ECRs to attend their course. Prof Luckhart has agreed to give a plenary at our next CONNECTED conference and we are collaborating on large funding proposals. |
Collaborator Contribution | One of our ECRs who has previously attended the University of Idaho Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases course is now acting as a tutor on the course, teaching delegates from around the world. Prof Luckhart has agreed to give a plenary at our next CONNECTED conference, and has agreed to attend a workshop run by CONNECTED to explore opportunities for collaborative partnerships for large funding calls. |
Impact | Enabling some of our ECR Network members to attend the training course |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Bristol Idaho vector-borne disease partnership |
Organisation | University of Idaho |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | CONNECTED have funded several early career researchers (ECRs) to attend the University of Idaho in-person course Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases We have publicised their course via our outreach mechanisms. The relationship with Prof Shirley Luckhart has developed over the 3-4 years we've been funding ECRs to attend their course. Prof Luckhart has agreed to give a plenary at our next CONNECTED conference and we are collaborating on large funding proposals. |
Collaborator Contribution | One of our ECRs who has previously attended the University of Idaho Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases course is now acting as a tutor on the course, teaching delegates from around the world. Prof Luckhart has agreed to give a plenary at our next CONNECTED conference, and has agreed to attend a workshop run by CONNECTED to explore opportunities for collaborative partnerships for large funding calls. |
Impact | Enabling some of our ECR Network members to attend the training course |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Bristol, Greenwich, Madrid partnership |
Organisation | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
Department | National Center for Biotechnology (CNB) |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | University of Bristol researcher Dr Fran Robson was involved in CONNECTED PPF#14. One of the other partners on this project was the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Robson is now employed on BMGF award with the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. Dr Robson also has collaborations with the Adrian Valli group at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. |
Impact | not known |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Bristol, Greenwich, Madrid partnership |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Bristol researcher Dr Fran Robson was involved in CONNECTED PPF#14. One of the other partners on this project was the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Robson is now employed on BMGF award with the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. Dr Robson also has collaborations with the Adrian Valli group at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. |
Impact | not known |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Bristol, Greenwich, Madrid partnership |
Organisation | University of Greenwich |
Department | Natural Resources Institute Greenwich |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Bristol researcher Dr Fran Robson was involved in CONNECTED PPF#14. One of the other partners on this project was the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Robson is now employed on BMGF award with the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. Dr Robson also has collaborations with the Adrian Valli group at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. |
Impact | not known |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration between University of Ghana and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) |
Organisation | University of Ghana |
Country | Ghana |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | As part of PPF#31 research project entitled 'Formal identification and characterisation of the viral pathogen causing a new aphid-associated disease of cabbage in Ghana' the project PI Dr Ken Fening (University of Ghana) was introduced, by project co-worker Prof John Carr, to researchers at West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) https://wave-center.org/ |
Collaborator Contribution | WAVE researcher, Dr Josiah Mutuku, is planning to visit the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) at the University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana |
Impact | not known at this time |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Future collaboration between UWE and IITA-Nigeria |
Organisation | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture |
Country | Nigeria |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Researchers at UWE worked with researchers at IITA-Nigeria on CONNECTED PPF#49 research project. The funding for this project has ended however they plan to collaborate together in future. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers at UWE worked with researchers at IITA-Nigeria on CONNECTED PPF#49 research project. The funding for this project has ended however they plan to collaborate together in future. |
Impact | multidisciplinary collaboration - UWE researchers involved in the development of diagnostic kits for plant disease surveillance. IITA-Nigeria researchers involved in using the kits on the ground in Nigeria |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Future collaboration between UWE and IITA-Nigeria |
Organisation | University of the West of England |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Researchers at UWE worked with researchers at IITA-Nigeria on CONNECTED PPF#49 research project. The funding for this project has ended however they plan to collaborate together in future. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers at UWE worked with researchers at IITA-Nigeria on CONNECTED PPF#49 research project. The funding for this project has ended however they plan to collaborate together in future. |
Impact | multidisciplinary collaboration - UWE researchers involved in the development of diagnostic kits for plant disease surveillance. IITA-Nigeria researchers involved in using the kits on the ground in Nigeria |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | IITA-Ibadan Molecular diagnostics training course (2019- Still Active) |
Organisation | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture |
Country | Nigeria |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Our Directorship approached contacts at IITA-Ibadan, Nigeria to explore the possibility of running a lab-based course for DAC list researchers at IITA-Ibadan which was agreed for November 2019. CONNECTED worked in partnership staff from University of Newcastle, University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute and staff at IITA to expand the course content from our previous training course at BecA-ILRI Hub (March 2019) to include new activities around plant sample handling and preservation. CONNECTED has contributed the course programme, all course requirements, and created a comprehensive branded lab protocol manual - which was made available to all network members via the CONNECTED website in order to extend the impact of the learning in this area that may take place across our membership community. CONNECTED ran a competitive call for applications, receiving 113 applications and awarding 20 places - 18 of which were able to attend. The course ran from 4th-8th November 2019, with training being delivered by CONNECTED Co-Director Prof Neil Boonham (University of Newcastle), network member Dr Goncalo Silva (NRI),Dr Lava Kumar (IITA-Ibadan). Additional training was provided by Dr Kehinde Kareem, a CONNECTED Network member and staff member at IITA-Ibadan who attended our V4 training event - an example of a trainee becoming a trainer. |
Collaborator Contribution | IITA-Ibadan hosted the training course, and waived lab access fees. CONNECTED paid for the travel, accommodation and subsistence for all UK-based trainers and attendees. |
Impact | Delegates have used and shared the new skills and knowledge in their work places across Sub-Saharan Africa |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | IITA-Ibadan Molecular diagnostics training course (2019- Still Active) |
Organisation | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture |
Country | Nigeria |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Our Directorship approached contacts at IITA-Ibadan, Nigeria to explore the possibility of running a lab-based course for DAC list researchers at IITA-Ibadan which was agreed for November 2019. CONNECTED worked in partnership staff from University of Newcastle, University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute and staff at IITA to expand the course content from our previous training course at BecA-ILRI Hub (March 2019) to include new activities around plant sample handling and preservation. CONNECTED has contributed the course programme, all course requirements, and created a comprehensive branded lab protocol manual - which was made available to all network members via the CONNECTED website in order to extend the impact of the learning in this area that may take place across our membership community. CONNECTED ran a competitive call for applications, receiving 113 applications and awarding 20 places - 18 of which were able to attend. The course ran from 4th-8th November 2019, with training being delivered by CONNECTED Co-Director Prof Neil Boonham (University of Newcastle), network member Dr Goncalo Silva (NRI),Dr Lava Kumar (IITA-Ibadan). Additional training was provided by Dr Kehinde Kareem, a CONNECTED Network member and staff member at IITA-Ibadan who attended our V4 training event - an example of a trainee becoming a trainer. |
Collaborator Contribution | IITA-Ibadan hosted the training course, and waived lab access fees. CONNECTED paid for the travel, accommodation and subsistence for all UK-based trainers and attendees. |
Impact | Delegates have used and shared the new skills and knowledge in their work places across Sub-Saharan Africa |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | Fera Science Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | Kenya Agriculture & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | National Crops Resources Research Institute |
Country | Uganda |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | Newcastle University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MLN paper collaboration |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Department | Cambridge Neuroscience |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The CONNECTED Network team in Bristol are coordinating a joint project bringing together data from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43). CONNECTED have provided additional funding to enable the sequencing of further Kenyan plant material to complement the existing sequence data. The researchers have agreed to include previous unpublished sample data in this work, this expands the geographic range of data eg Rwandan plant virus sequences. CONNECTED have brought in Fera Science Ltd, who were partners on another PPF research project, to do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researchers from 3 PPF research projects (PPF#11, #17 and #43) are working to share and further analyse data produced during the 3 projects. Fera Science Ltd will do sequence analysis work as part of this collaboration. The aim is to consolidate and analyse data with a view to a joint publication on viruses involved in Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) in Africa. |
Impact | plan to write joint publication |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Partnership with academics at Bristol School of Animation |
Organisation | University of the West of England |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Working with the Bristol School of Animation at the University of the West of England in Bristol, CONNECTED has run a competition to award a student animation team the opportunity to create an animation that represents the work of the CONNECTED network and our community. The aim was to build a relationship with UWE Animation academics and engage local students in the issues CONECTED is tackling, whilst rewarding local talent. We are now in our third year of working together. The CONNECTED Communications Officer prepares a brief for the student. The Communications Officer and/or Network Manager give a talk to students describing the project. This is done as part of a pitch involving several other organisations. Pre-covid, the successful students were able to visit the University of Bristol's Life Sciences Building to spend more time with the team, see what we do and gain more background to CONNECTED to enhance their work. |
Collaborator Contribution | UWE academics have guided both CONNECTED and the students through the process of creating the animation. The animation is part of the student's BA degree in animation. |
Impact | To date 2 short animations have been produced, one in 2019, one in 2020. Each was a joint project between 2 students and contributed to their BA undergraduate degree in animation. So a total of 4 students have been involved. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) - Bioinformatics training |
Organisation | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences |
Country | Sweden |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | CONNECTED aimed to utilise existing training course for delivering impact to network members, discussing options during Management Board meetings. In response to this, Richard Hopkins, one of our Management Board members, negotiated the arrangement with his contact at SLU, Erik Bongcam Rudloff, the Head of SLU's Global Bioinformatics Centre: CONNECTED has received discounted places for DAC list researchers on SLU's annual approx. 10 week residential Bioinformatics training course. CONNECTED agreed to allocate two places in 2019 to network members, supporting all travel, accommodation, and susbsistence costs - a total cost of approx. £3K-£4K in addition to the course tuition costs (SLU provided accommodation and contacts for delegates to liaise with locally). Allocation of places was through open competition, and all applications received were reviewed/approved by the Network Executive: we received 91 applications for the two places on offer, which were allocated. The course is running from 21 Jan to 25 Mar 2019. We hope that this arrangement can continue in future years of our network. |
Collaborator Contribution | £500 tuition cost discount per place awarded, plus arrangement of accommodation and local support for delegates. |
Impact | Two DAC list country researchers are currently receiving training in bioinformatics to support their plant VBD research (hence multi-disciplinary). |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Virus and Vector Diagnostics - Introductory and Train the Trainer programme (B4A-ILRI Hub, Nairobi) |
Organisation | International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Co-developed and co-delivered an in-person interdisciplinary training programme for national Agricultural Research System (NARS) organisation research officers. This comprised a virtual co-creation and engagement workshop with NARS senior leaders, followed by 2 in-person, week long residential training courses at the Bioscience for African (B4A) - ILRI Hub in Nairobi, Kenya. The first in-person course trained participants in interdisciplinary vector and virus molecular diagnostics techniques (VVD course); the second trained the same individuals in how to deliver the VVD course in their home institutions, leading to increased vector-borne plant virus research and teaching capacity across x African NARS organisations. This led to a cascade of knowledge and skills across interacting agricultural organisations across Africa. Additionally, this programme enabled B4A-ILRI to fulfil their mandate in training agricultural organisations across Africa via strengthened inter-organisation relationships. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners B4A-ILRI co-created the course content with us and hosted the 2 residential course and waved certain lab access-related fees. |
Impact | 20 individuals trained. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | 'Springboard to impact' online conference for network members |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 'Springboard To Impact' saw 10 days of research presentations, workshops and networking involving researchers from across the globe. It provided delegates with opportunities for consolidation, collaboration, and continuation as the initial three-year period of the CONNECTED Network (based at The University of Bristol, UK, and Newcastle University, UK) drew to a close. Presentations were made by researchers from all 20 CONNECTED pump-prime funded research projects. Each was followed by a Q and A session, and dedicated time for networking to enable new collaborations to emerge. And for each of the 20 projects an online scientific poster was made available in advance of the event. Attendance at the 75-minute sessions typically ranged from 35 to 50, with an average of 42 delegates per session. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/success-of-online-scientific-conference-confirmed-by-positive-delegat... |
Description | Article in Microbiology Today Special Issue on Arboviruses. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Article in Microbiology Today Special Issue on Arboviruses. This was an invited article on VBDs and their impacts on food security in sub-Saharan Africa, and involved participation of scientists involved in multiple CONNECTED pump prime funded projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/arboviruses-and-their-vectors/article/plant-... |
Description | Attendance at FACE conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Network Manager attended a FACE (Forever Africa) conference in 2018, providing CONNECTED banners and leaflets to distribute to attendees, in order to raise awareness of CONNECTED and the opportunities we offer to the staff, students, and others attending the conference, and for our network to learn more about the opportunities/challenges of working, collaborating, and conducting research in Africa. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.bristol.ac.uk/law/events/2018/forever-africa-face-2018.html |
Description | BBC broadcast about CONNECTED |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A six-minute BBC radio feature about the CONNECTED project and the Launch Conference was broadcast on Sunday 4 February and is available to listen on the BBC iplayer. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05tx7p0 |
Description | Benin conference presentation and distribution of CONNECTED leaflets |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Management Board member Julian Smith presented at an international cassava conference in Benin in June 2018. He included general information slides on the CONNECTED network and CONNECTED information leaflets were made available to delegates. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.gcp21.org/beninconference/ |
Description | Blog about plant viruses published in the Microbiology Society newsletter, Microbiology Today. Todayhttps://microbiologysociety.org/blog/microbiology-today-arboviruses-and-their-vectors.html |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This is a special Microbiology Today edition of the podcast. The latest issue of the Society's magazine, Microbiology Today, focuses on arboviruses and their vectors. In this episode, we discuss some of the prevention strategies and ways of managing arboviruses and their vectors with John Carr from the University of Cambridge and Ewa Chrostek from the University of Liverpool. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/microbiology-today-arboviruses-and-their-vectors.html |
Description | Blog post invited by the Microbiology Society to cover threats to African crops from insect-borne viral pathogens. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Blog post invited by the Microbiology Society to cover threats to African crops from insect-borne viral pathogens. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/microbiology-today-arboviruses-and-their-vectors.html |
Description | Blog post, invitation after meeting CABI staff in Kenya |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invitation after meeting CABI staff in Kenya https://blog.cabi.org/2019/09/10/improving-disease-resistance-in-kenyan-crops/ https://www.cabi.org/news-article/cabi-collaborates-to-improve-resistance-of-kenyas-cabbage-and-kale-crops-to-tumv-disease/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.cabi.org/news-article/cabi-collaborates-to-improve-resistance-of-kenyas-cabbage-and-kale... |
Description | CHAP Blog about Prof Gary Foster presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Crop Health and protection Limited (CHAP) employee Dr Andreea Stroia attended the Climate Change Bites event and wrote a blog about it on the CHAP blog. In it Dr Stroia discusses the work of the CONNECTED network. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://chap-solutions.co.uk/blogs/climate-change-and-food-production-the-potential-effects/ |
Description | CONNECTED Network Launch Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Over 70 delegates attended the CONNECTED Network Launch conference, in Bristol from 29 - 31 January. The conference included presentations the network directors, managers, and BBSRC, further presentations from four of the CONNECTED Management Board's African-based researchers outlining the opportunities and challenges they foresaw for CONNECTED, over 40 two-minute flash presentations from delegates outlining their roles and current work, enabling the identification of avenues for researcher collaboration and interdisciplinary working. There were also a series of workshops which gathered thoughts, ideas and views from delegates, helping to shape the next steps in the project, setting priorities for pump-prime funding and guiding future network action planning. The event was extremely successful with many outputs gathered from delegates. Feedback from delegates told us it was a well organised event and that the community of delegates we'd gathered was a great group to connect up. ODA outcomes: Many of the speakers and delegates were from LMIC countries on the DAC list and other countries outside the UK - many were supported by CONNECTED to enable attendance. This allowed delegates from LMIC countries to network with each other and researchers from the UK and beyond in the small plant VBD community whilst thinking about new project ideas in the context of the opportunities and barriers facing this field (as guided by the workshops). It also enabled UK researchers to develop a better understanding of the context and challenges of plant VBD research in LMIC countries. As such, CONNECTED facilitated useful preparation towards pump prime funding applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/event/uk-launch-meeting/ |
Description | CONNECTED Network Newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Newsletter published on the CONNECTED Network website - available to anyone browsing the site. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
URL | http://www.connectedvirus.net/quarterly-newsletters |
Description | CONNECTED leaflets sent to International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Seoul, Korea, May 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | We sent 150 A5 information leaflets to the International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Seoul, Korea, May 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.ipve2019.com/ |
Description | CONNECTED leaflets sent to Nigerian Society for Plant Protection Annual Conference 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We sent 300 A5 information leaflets to a researcher who attended the Nigerian Society for Plant Protection Annual Conference 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://nsppnigeria.org/past-events-conferences/ |
Description | CONNECTED online seminar series #1 Feb 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Network members were invited to attend an online seminar with presentations from two speakers relevant to the field, take part in Q&A and networking sessions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/inaugural-connected-webinar/ |
Description | CONNECTED presence at BSPP Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED had a stall at the British Society for Plant Pathology Annual Meeting held at UWE, 2/3rd September 2019: "BSPP2019: Arms race: Evolution of plant pathogens and their hosts" We displayed 2 posters, one on our Pump Prime Funding round 1 projects, and a second on our training opportunities. We also gave out infographics, flyers, pens, fridge magnets and notebooks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.bspp.org.uk/conferences/arms-race-evolution-of-plant-pathogens-and-their-hosts/ |
Description | CONNECTED website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Our website has been designed in collaboration with a professional IT company. It includes Google Analytics so can monitor usage and engagement. Recent statistics: in January 2018 we had 3438 page views from 471 users who spent an average of 4m 51s on the site. The website has a public area and a members only area which is behind a log-in. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
URL | http://www.connectedvirus.net |
Description | CONNECTED workshop on International Collaboration - Royal Entomological Society Annual Conference Ento19, London UK. August 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED ran a workshop on International Collaboration at this conference. Speakers: John Carr (University of Cambridge), Charlotte Nellist (NIAB EMR, UK), Cyrus Mugambi Micheni (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization). CONNECTED Network Manager Harriet Mills gave an introduction to CONNECTED and the type of international collaborations we have (e.g. PPF funding involves 66 unique researchers, 30 institutions and 13 countries). Each speaker gave an overview of their PPF projects and how their collaborations came about. This was followed by a panel discussion on collaborations, covering (1) How the collaborations were made, and maintained, and how CONNECTED might help with this process. (2) The opportunities of these collaborations, including the benefits of contact with end users and policy makers. (3) The challenges of these collaborations, including the difficulties of visas, reimbursements and due diligence checks. The conference was attended by 150 people and we gave out flyers advertising CONNECTED. Attendance at this workshop was 10 people. A workshop in the previous session also mentioned CONNECTED and the other BBSRC networks and was attended by around 25 people. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.res.org.uk/events-page/annual-conference-2019.html |
Description | Cabot blog post by Joshua Raymond Muhumuza |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED network member Joshua Raymond Muhumuza, from the Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC), was invited by CONNECTED to write a blog article on the CONNECTED Uganda launch conference to raise awareness of the network, the issues it's tackling, and to contribute to the international discussion on food and nutrition security in Africa, plus raising Joshua's professional profile and providing him with valuable personal development via international interactions. This article was published on the Cabot Institute blog in September 2018. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://cabot-institute.blogspot.com/2018/09/africa-looking-to-strategic.html |
Description | Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV) workshop in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Network member Dr G. Mandela Fernandez-Grandon gave a short presentation to delegates about CONNECTED, to encourage them to join, and take advantage of the opportunity it provides to collaborate with experts in other fields, and to share their knowledge with the CSSV-mealybug virus-vector system. 50 A5 flyers and 15 pens were also distributed at the workshop. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/cacao-swollen-shoot-virus-workshop-learns-about-connected/ |
Description | Discussion Piece - PLANT ARBOVIRUSES: MAJOR THREATS TO FOOD SECURITY |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An article in the Microbiology Society newsletter, Microbiology Today, setting out the threats to food security posed by a particular type of plant virus |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/arboviruses-and-their-vectors/article/plant-... |
Description | Distribution of information at BSPP presidential meeting Warwick December 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 100 CONNECTED general information leaflets and 100 cassava infographics produced by CONNECTED were included in delegate packs at the BSPP presidential meeting in Warwick December 2018, with the aim of raising awareness and driving up membership of the network. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.bspp.org.uk/meetings/bspppres2018.php |
Description | Distribution of information at COST Actions meeting Belgium, Nov 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Co-Director Prof Neil Boonham provided general information about CONNECTED to the delegates of the COST Actions meeting Belgium in November 2018 (approx. 100 leaflets). The aim of this was to raise awareness and drive up membership of the network to an international audience and explore possibilities for further funding for CONNECTED. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Dr Paul Kuria 'Studies of virus diseases of cassava and maize lethal necrosis disease in Kenya' University of Greenwich, NRI, Tuesday 18 February 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dr Paul Kuria 'Studies of virus diseases of cassava and maize lethal necrosis disease in Kenya' University of Greenwich, NRI, Tuesday 18 February 2020 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://m.facebook.com/NaturalResourcesInstitute/posts/10157672048417017 |
Description | Dr Paul Kuria talk 'Studies of virus diseases of cassava and maize lethal necrosis disease in Kenya' University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences, Friday 14 February 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dr Paul Kuria talk 'Studies of virus diseases of cassava and maize lethal necrosis disease in Kenya' University of Cambridge, Department of Plant Sciences, Friday 14 February 2020. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.cambplants.group.cam.ac.uk/news-and-events/studiesofvirus |
Description | Ento 18 conference stand and posters |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED network manager attended the RES Ento 18 conference at Edge Hill University in August 2018. The aim was to raise awareness and drive up membership of the network specifically with entomologists to balance network membership between plant pathologists and entomologists. CONNECTED had 2 pull-up banners and a table to display and distribute information. We also ran a small competition (guess the number of insects legs in a jar of plastic insects) to engage delegates. Several delegates one CONNECTED bags, fridge magnet games, pads and pens. One contact made is a current student at University of Bristol and this interaction has lead to CONNECTED presenting about the network to the newly formed University of Bristol Entomological Society. A GCRF sister VBD network was also present: they presented to the delegates and mentioned CONNECTED in their talk, displaying our logo and directing delegates to speak to the CONNECTED representative present for more information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/biology/events/ento18-good-bad-ugly/ |
Description | Facebook account |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Until spring 2019, CONNECTED had only used Twitter for social media but, informed by data showing: the high use of Facebook compared with Twitter in Africa, and Google Analytics showing significant referrals were coming to the CONNECTED website from Facebook, despite the network itself having no presence there we created a new Facebook page for CONNECTED in late April 2019. With an objective of driving people to go to the page and 'like' it, we used a new film, made during and about the five-day fully funded training course, 'An introduction to virus and vector diagnostics' as a carrot to entice people to the Facebook page. Having uploaded the film to the page's video library, and putting a post on the page, we scheduled an email to go to all network members at 4pm UK time on Sunday 5 May, highlighting that there was a brand new film available, and the way to watch it was to go to the new Facebook page. We also uploaded the film to the CONNECTED Vimeo channel to use it as the 'go to' page to watch the film. The idea of the Facebook 'launch' for the film was a tactic to try to raise awareness of the new page by drawing potential users in. From the CONNECTED Facebook page opening on 7 May 2019 to 29 February 2020, it acquired 557 page followers. From 7 May 2019 to 29 February 2020 there were 156,748 impressions of its posts The total reach of its posts in that period was 105,742. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/connectedvirus |
Description | Green Man Festival leaflet distribution |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | 30 A5 flyers were sent to the Green Man Festival in August 2018 - they were made available to attendees in the BBSRC/South West Doctoral Training tent 'plant power station'. The aim was to raise awareness of CONNECTED with a wider, more general audience than typical academic event settings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Harvard Library presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Director Prof Gary Foster gave a presentation at the Harvard Library to an audience of approx. 400, and the talk was live streamed to a further wider audience. He included general information on CONNECTED and our aims and objectives for delivering impact in Africa. The objective was to raise awareness about CONNECTED to high level professionals. After giving the talk, Gary was contacted by an investor present regarding the possibility of financial donations to support CONNECTED. Gary and the network team have since provided various packages of information to the individual to develop our relationship with them and their organisation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | INEXTVIR virology seminar series places for CONNECTED network members |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 12 places were made available by INEXTVIR to CONNECTED network members for attendance at their online virology seminar series (12 seminars). CONNECTED awarded the places in a gender balanced way to 6 females, 6 males, from 9 DAC-list countries. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/inextvir-virology-webinar-successful-applicants/ |
Description | Invited Article "PLANT ARBOVIRUSES: MAJOR THREATS TO FOOD SECURITY" in Microbiology Today Special Issue on Arboviruses |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited Article "PLANT ARBOVIRUSES: MAJOR THREATS TO FOOD SECURITY" in Microbiology Today Special Issue on Arboviruses - https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/arboviruses-and-their-vectors/article/plant-arboviruses-major-threats-to-food-security.html Blog interview associated with article (awful sound quality): https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/microbiology-today-arboviruses-and-their-vectors.html |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Newsletter item about CONNECTED training course at BecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi, Kenya |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The International Society for Plant Pathology published an article about one of our training courses in their newsletter |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.isppweb.org/newsletters/pdf/49_5.pdf |
Description | Newsletter to Network members |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Maintaining close contact with network members - In addition to the CONNECTED website and social media channels, another way the network team has maintained engagement with members is the circulation of email newsletters. 23 have been issued in the past 12 months. These include regular monthly e-newsletters, surveys, calls to apply for training, and requests to provide in-field photographs to assist out student animators. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/category/newsletters/ |
Description | PPF 31: Seminar at Cambridge March 11, 2020. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | PPF 31 Seminar at Cambridge March 11, 2020. Ethelyn Echep Forchibe 'Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-Gh): characterization and implications on cabbage production in Ghana'. 18 attendees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | PPF 36: NRI Seminar series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | PPF 36: NRI Seminar series. 'Identifying mealybug species affecting yam crops across Northern Nigeria'. Monday 9th December 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Plenary speaker at Virololgy Africa Conference - Gary Foster |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Network Director, Prof Gary Foster, gave a plenary talk at the Virology Africa 2020 Conference Entitled: Everything in CONNECTED: pathology, terrorism and drugs |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.virologyafrica2020.com/ |
Description | Poster presentation: International Advances in Plant Virology 2019, Rome, Italy, 29th-31st October, >100 delegates |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation: International Advances in Plant Virology 2019, Rome, Italy, 29th-31st October, >100 delegates |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Poster presentation: Training and sensitization of farmers meeting on maize lethal necrosis causing viruses and management options in Kenya in counties selected for disease incidence, Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang'a and Kiambu |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Training and sensitization of farmers meeting on maize lethal necrosis causing viruses and management options in Kenya in counties selected for disease incidence, Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang'a and Kiambu (>120 delegates, at least 30 per county). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presence at University of Bristol Entomology event during National Insect Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED put up banners and distributed leaflets at an entomology event during National Insect Week, at the University of Bristol. The intended purpose was to raise awareness of CONNECTED among and drive up network membership specifically of entomologists, to balance this with the existing high level of plant virologists present within the network. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | One of our Management Board, Dr Emmanuel Okogbenin, is Director of Technical Operations at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in Kenya.This organisation aims to access, develop, adapt and deliver appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa through innovative partnerships and effective stewardship along the entire value chain. Emmanuel presented feedback of our CONNECTED meeting (which he had attended in Bristol) to AATF staff at their Annual Review and Planning meeting in Kenya. **GCRF Outcome - Kenya is a LMIC country. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation and discussion by CONNECTED Director , Prof. Gary Foster, at online UKRI COP26 Climate Change Bites event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The pre-COP26 webinar hosted by BBSRC was called 'Climate Change Bites'. The webinar focused on how climate change is driving vector-borne disease in plants, animals and humans. The event was chaired by Victoria Gill, a science, technology, and environmental stories reporter for the BBC. Open to all, the event comprised a series of presentations followed by a panel discussion with Q&A session. Prof Gary Foster was the only plant-focused speaker and provided a strong rationale of the importance of plant disease and plant-based research funding. During the event Prof Gary Foster made use of the audience participatory quiz function, the real-time results showed that the audience felt that plant disease was very important. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Presentation at BMGF Grand Challenges meeting in Berlin October 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Management Board member Prof Sue Seal gave a short presentation at a BMGF Grand Challenges meeting in Berlin in October 2018 where she provided general information on CONNECTED to delegates and distributed leaflets. The aim was to raise awareness and drive up membership of the network, and begin to engage BMGF more with CONNECTED with a view to possibly securing future funding for the network through them. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation at European Association of Potato Research - Christophe Lacomme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A scientific presentation given at the 17th triennial meeting of the Virology Section of the European Association of Potato Research (EAPR) and 10th Potato Virus Y- Wide Organisation Meeting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.eapr.net/meeting/2019/next-meeting-virology-section-second-call-abstracts |
Description | Presentation at University of West of England - Gary Foster |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Network Director, Prof. Gary Foster, gave a presentation about CONNECTED as an invited speaker at a University of West of England Faculty of Life Sciences Academic Staff Day |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presentation to undergraduates at University of West of England - Richard Wyatt & Diane Hird |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | As part of a pitch to encourage students to become involved in a new CONNECTED animation feature, RW and DH gave a 20 minute presentation followed by 20 min Q&A session to University of West of England undergraduate students |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presentation: Association of Applied Biologists IPM conference (20-21 Nov 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation: Association of Applied Biologists IPM conference (20-21 Nov 2019) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation: Biopesticide Summit, Swansea (2-3 July 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation at Biopesticide Summit, Swansea (2-3 July 2019) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation: EBEQ XI Brazilian Meeting on Chemical Ecology, Maceio, Brazil (23-26 Oct 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation: EBEQ XI Brazilian Meeting on Chemical Ecology, Maceio, Brazil (23-26 Oct 2019) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation: Midlands Innovation, Keele (11 Sept 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation: Midlands Innovation, Keele (11 Sept 2019) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentations at International Congress of Plant Pathology |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Directors Profs Gary Foster and Neil Boonham, plus Management Board chair Prof Nicola Spence and Management Board member Prof Lesley Torrance attended ICPP 2018 in Boston. They presented general information slides on CONNECTED alongside their talk slides and approx. 500 leaflets were distributed to conference delegates. The aim was to raise awareness and drive up membership of the network and the opportunities we offer for international researchers in plant VBD. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.icpp2018.org/Pages/default.aspx |
Description | Presented a poster "Potential of nano-formulated plant essential oils for control of cassava Bemisia tabaci whiteflies" at the IITA R4D week that was held at the headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, November 17- 22, 2019. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented a poster "Potential of nano-formulated plant essential oils for control of cassava Bemisia tabaci whiteflies" at the IITA R4D week that was held at the headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, November 17- 22, 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Press release to announce the CONNECTED UK Launch Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Press release by the University of Bristol Press Office to announce and promote the CONNECTED UK Launch Conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/december/connected-conference-.html |
Description | Press release to launch the CONNECTED project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Press release by the University of Bristol Press Office to officially launch the CONNECTED project. This gave details of the funder, funding amount, and background on the issue of plant vector-borne disease. ODA impact - the press release explained the significance of plant vector-borne disease to farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, the aims and objectives of the CONNECTED project and how these will impact on Sub-Saharan Africa. ODA impact - the press release was picked up by Biosciences for Farming in Africa (B4FA), a not-for-profit initiative that works to provide balanced, scientifically-based information on best practice, innovation and entrepreneurship to enable African farmers to unlock the continent's agricultural potential. They featured the CONNECTED project in their weekly newsletter which goes to around 1,500 decision-makers, opinion formers and academics working in Africa and the rest of the world. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/october/african-vector-borne-plant-diseases.html |
Description | Prof John Carr talk at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Muguga, Kenya, April 18 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Talk at an African research organisation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Prof John Carr's plenary talk: 'Modelling and manipulating aphid-mediated plant virus transmission' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 'Modelling and manipulating aphid-mediated plant virus transmission'. John P. Carr, Trisna Tungadi, Ruairí Donnelly1 Ana Bravo-Cazar, Sun-Ju Rhee, Lewis G Watt, J. Musembi Mutuku, Francis O Wamonje, Warren Arinaitwe, Alex M Murphy, Adrienne E. Pate, Nik J Cunniffe and Christopher A Gilligan. Plenary Talk, International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions XVIII Congress, Glasgow July 14-18, 2019. About 1000 delegates |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://ismpmi.confex.com/ismpmi/2019/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/1297 |
Description | Prof John Carr's talk 'CONNECTED collaborations on insect-vectored viruses of cabbage, maize and tomato and "plant-vectored" viruses of aphids' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 'CONNECTED collaborations on insect-vectored viruses of cabbage, maize and tomato and "plant-vectored" viruses of aphids'. Part of Panel Discussion on 'International Collaboration: Perspectives from the CONNECTED Network' Wednesday 21 August 2019 at the Ento'19 International Symposium & Annual National Science Meeting of the Royal Society for Entomology August 20-22 2019, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.connectedvirus.net/ento19/ |
Description | Prof John Carr's talk 'Modeling and manipulation of aphid-mediated spread of non-persistently transmitted viruses' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 'Modeling and manipulation of aphid-mediated spread of non-persistently transmitted viruses' Carr, J.P., Tungadi, T., Donnelly, R., Bravo-Cazar, A., Rhee, S.J., Watt, L.G., Mutuku, J.M., Wamonje, F.O., Murphy, A.M., Arinaitwe, W., Pate, A.E., Cunniffe, N.J., and Gilligan, C.A. Plenary Lecture, 9th European Congress of Virology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 28 April-1 May, 2019 (Abstract PL08) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.ecv2019.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Abstracts.pdf |
Description | Prof John Carr's talk 'Modeling and manipulation of aphid-mediated spread of non-persistently-transmitted viruses' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 'Modeling and manipulation of aphid-mediated spread of non-persistently-transmitted viruses'. Carr, J.P., Tungadi, T., Donnelly, R., Bravo-Cazar, A., Rhee, S.J., Watt, L.G., Mutuku, J.M., Wamonje, F.O., Murphy, A.M., Arinaitwe, W., Pate, A.E., Cunniffe, N.J., and Gilligan, C.A. Keynote Talk, 14th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Coex, Seoul, South Korea, May 13-17th 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.ipve2019.com/?ckattempt=1 |
Description | Research Seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The Network Director, Professor Gary Foster, was invited to give a seminar at Oxford Brookes University. This took place in November 2017. The seminar included information on CONNECTED funding, aims and objectives. The audience included researchers, administrators and undergraduates. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Research Seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The Network Director, Professor Gary Foster, was invited to give a seminar at University College Cork, Ireland. This took place in December 2017. The seminar included information on CONNECTED funding, aims and objectives. The audience included researchers, administrators and undergraduates. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Short CONNECTED presentation to the University of Bristol Pro-Vice Chancellor of Health & Life Sciences and the Dean of Life Sciences - Diane Hird |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | As part of a tour of the Life Sciences Building, the University of Bristol Pro-Vice Chancellor of Health & Life Sciences and the Dean of Life Sciences were given a short presentation about CONNECTED by Network Manager Diane Hird |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Special Seminar Identification of vectors transmitting viruses in tomato in Uganda by Girisom Bwire, January21, 2020. Corpus Christi College Cambridge. Approx. 18 attendees. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Special Seminar Identification of vectors transmitting viruses in tomato in Uganda by Girisom Bwire, January21, 2020. Corpus Christi College Cambridge. Approx. 18 attendees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Sue Jones presented the RNA-seq analysis methodology for the project at an Information and Computational Science seminar within the James Hutton Institute, UK attended by approximately 20 staff and students. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Sue Jones presented the RNA-seq analysis methodology for the project at an Information and Computational Science seminar within the James Hutton Institute, UK attended by approximately 20 staff and students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Talk to first meeting of newly formed Entomological Society at UoB |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Network Manager gave a talk at the first meeting of newly formed Entomological Society at University of Bristol, held in conjunction with University of Bristol Botantical Society. The aim was to raise awareness and drive up membership of the network, particularly for early career entomologists, further deepening a professional relationship with an ECR contact made at Ento 18. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Twitter account |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | In the 12 months from 1 March 2019 to 29 February 2020, the number of Twitter followers rose by 775 to 1,737. During that period there were: • 879,765 impressions of its posts • 3,177 link clicks • 2,580 retweets • 5,855 likes |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
URL | https://twitter.com/CONNECTED_Virus |
Description | Twitter account |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | We set up the @CONNECTED_Virus Twitter account at the beginning of the project. It is a means to connect with the scientific research community, industry, funders, policy makers and governments. We tweet information about the CONNECTED project, what we aim to do, the events we hold. We also tweet information about scientific meetings, workshops and job vacancies of interest to our Network members. We also tweet relevant scientific research findings and scholarly publications. We currently have 346 followers. Recent statistics include: in January 2018 our tweets had 114.2k impressions; 1.1 per cent engagement rate; 256 clicks; 233 RTs. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://twitter.com/CONNECTED_Virus |
Description | Uganda launch conference report |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED network member Joshua Raymond Muhumuza, from the Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC), compiled a report of the CONNECTED Uganda Launch conference to provide the network with a full account of the proceedings that could be kept on record and shared with the full Management Board (only a few members we able to attend the conference). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Update on CONNECTED website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED website In the 12 months from 1 March 2019 to 29 February 22020, the website connectedvirus.net received: • 42,468 pageviews • during 15,437 sessions • made by 7,918 users (including 7,627 new users). 36 per cent were direct visits, 28.8 per cent derived from organic searches, and 28.1 per cent were referrals from social media channels. Referrals from other websites and from emails accounted for the remaining 7.1 per cent. Aside from the home page, the most-visited web pages were: • Join the network • Members' area • Training opportunities |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
URL | http://www.connectedvirus.net |
Description | VBD in the UK conference (JIC) - presentations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CONNECTED Director and Management Board Chair Prfs Gary Foster and Nicola Spence gave presentations at the Vector-Borne Disease in the UK conference at JIC in December 2018, where they talked about CONNECTED, it's goals and achievements to date and plans for the future. The network also arranged for general information leaflets on CONNECTED and cassava infographics to be added to delegate packs, plus for two posters to be displayed in the poster sessions and two pull-up banners to be erected for the duration of the meeting. The aim of these actions were to raise awareness and drive up membership of the network and the issues we're tackling, and this resulted in several new contacts and enquiries for further interaction. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/news-and-events/vbd-uk-2018/ |
Description | Workshop on Neem-based solutions for vegetable production in Ghana |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Workshop on Neem-based solutions for vegetable production in Ghana, with ~100 delegates, presenting information on new aphid-borne diseases and their control. It including a series of talks, debates and small group discussions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ug.edu.gh/news/arppis-hosts-research-dissemination-workshop-neem-based-solutions-vegetab... |