The programme is structured into four work programmes:

-- Work Programme 1 (WP1) is led by the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and focuses on strengthening the capacity of individuals at universities for Research Uptake Management.

Demand for formal qualifications in the management of research uptake is high in universities` research and public relations and communications offices. The need is particularly great for continuing professional development (CPD) qualifications that can be undertaken with minimal disruption and time away from work.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has the task of strengthening institutional capacity in Research Uptake Management in participant universities. We`re pleased to be able to bring our experience in studying research management systems to bear in this critical area of the research management process and will identify models of engagement to get research into use.

A literature review on knowledge utilisation and research uptake is underway as part of Work Programme 3. Among other aspects, the literature review will highlight different perspectives and models of knowledge utilisation as well as different approaches to facilitate such utilisation. Some of the perspectives emerging from the literature are: 

DRUSSA Online has been developed and optimised for the African environment. This means you can access our services from your desktop or mobile, and use it whether you are online or offline.

We are currently in a user acceptability testing phase and once this is complete, the full suite of services will be publicly launched.

How does DRUSSA digitally engage around the central topic of Research Uptake with varied levels of audiences in both ICT-challenged Sub-Saharan Africa and the hi-tech Developed World, using limited resources?

These online services have been developed and optimised for the African environment. This means you can access DRUSSA Online from your desktop or mobile, and use it whether you are online or offline. The suite of online services was designed to build a strong and cohesive Community within the group of 24 universities participating in the DRUSSA programme as well as an extended, open Network for other interested parties.

Research Uptake Management (RUM) works with scientific research that has both a traditional focus on building and disseminating the bodies of knowledge created in the academic domains, and a newer and wider focus on maximising the conditions for the application of these bodies of knowledge to achieve outcomes that have a developmental impact.

Research Uptake Management (RUM) is a process to systematically manage the research cycle from conception to utilisation with the purpose of getting research findings to the audience(s) for whom they are intended. It is usually research that is intended to have practical application while being underpinned by scientifically validated evidence.