Guest Blog by: Elizabeth Nakazibwe, CAMO-Net Uganda
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of participating in a month-long offsite placement through CAMO-Net, a key capacity-building initiative. Hosted by the University of Liverpool and Imperial College London, this opportunity was nothing short of incredible!
My placement focused on enhancing my skills in project management, and I was fortunate to learn from the best. I started with research coordinators, gaining insights into workflows, systems, and processes. I then moved to the Research Support Office, where I learned about resource allocation, budget monitoring, and financial systems—key aspects of effective project execution.
At Civic Health Innovation Labs, I was inspired by the power of stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making. I also had the unique opportunity to join Fleming Fund fellows, where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was explained in simplified terms for non-scientists—an eye-opening session that deepened my understanding of its global burden.
One of the standout sessions was leadership training, where I learned that effective leadership is not one-size-fits-all. Flexibility is key—adapting leadership styles to different teams and situations enhances overall effectiveness.
At Imperial College, I explored the Essence Framework Tool, a performance-tracking system used by the hub to measure project success—reinforcing the importance of continuous evaluation. A visit to the Fleming Fund offices and the Fleming Museum was another highlight, where I saw the lab where penicillin was discovered—a truly historic moment!
As the training wrapped up, I delved into sessions on grant writing, project process work flow, budgets, and strategic planning—all crucial skills for managing large-scale projects. An insightful visit to the UK Parliament allowed me to understand policy, advocacy and importance of Research
Of course, it wasn’t all work! I attended several networking events, dinners, and even had the chance to tour the historic Houses of Parliament. The hospitality and warmth of the people I met made the experience even more memorable.
I am incredibly grateful to the teams at the University of Liverpool- (CAMO-Net hub, Civic Health Innovation Labs, Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub, Research Support Office) and Imperial College London – CAMO-Net hub for their time, guidance, and support.
By far, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career!
