Page 27 - AERC Strategic Plan 2 July2020

THE AERC 2020–2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

Expand Influence: Expand the successful Visiting Scholars Programme to enable post-
doctoral researchers to spend time at the universities of resource persons. Decentralize
the JFE in Nairobi to include a joint facility at a West African university. Improve access
across the region to elective courses and retooling workshops through digitization and
blended learning.

Policy Engagement

Improve Quality: Rigorously enforce the requirement that all researchers produce a
policy brief, and ensure guidance is given to researchers to create reader-friendly briefs
that include a one-page summary and an abstract for promotion.

Key Recommended Reforms on Policy Outreach

» Develop policy briefs;

» Establish an alumni database; and
» Develop a knowledge hub to increase awareness and visibility of AERC.

Ensure Sustainability: Develop a comprehensive alumni relationship database
documenting career progress for all alumni to demonstrate policy impact and assist with
fundraising. AERC should aim to become a leading platform where African economists
and policymakers can express views about leading African and global economic issues.

Expand Influence: Develop a knowledge hub (e-library) to increase awareness and
visibility for AERC research. Expand the current blog, AERC Insight, to include network
opinion and views. Introduce a data portal and repository of data used in AERC research
projects. Engage social media to enhance positioning of AERC as a ‘go-to source’ for
research highlights, views on economic development, and viewpoints from the region on
economic trends – regionally and globally. Deploy convening powers to formulate and
communicate insight into major African and global economic issues.

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