African Brain & Cognitive Development (AfriBCD)
Head of Operations
AfriBCD serves as a network uniting researchers and partners interested in neurodevelopmental research across Africa, covering stages from pregnancy to adulthood. We prioritize inclusivity, gathering researchers focusing on various life stages and employing diverse methods. We have created a Community of Practice (CoP) centered around measuring cognition in Africa that we hope will be a long-lasting space to share ideas, methods, best practices, challenges, and data. This project can also serve as a model for how to catalyze research in other underrepresented communities.
Since May 2023, I have been working as Head of Operations for AfriBCD. My collaboration with the founders enabled the translation of their long-term visions into actionable plans. I have a wide range of responsibilities, as listed below:
-
In collaboration with the founders, I successfully guided the development and maintenance of the CoP on Teams. I created a tailored organizational format for all necessary documents and folders. Based on project milestones, I established a timeline and kept the project on schedule with the aid of detailed task lists and open communication with the team. I am currently managing the CoP and making adjustments based on member feedback to ensure optimal user experience. This involves accessible and multilingual options and ensuring support for members requiring additional technical support or with limited resources.
Additionally, I am responsible for managing the website development, launch plan, and maintenance. I am working to integrate various social media accounts with our existing platforms.
-
I created the AfriBCD website, starting from conception and encompassing every facet of design, content curation, and usability enhancement. I seamlessly merged aesthetics with functionality, crafting an engaging user interface, and generated compelling content that resonated with the organization's mission. One of the standout features of this project was the development of an interactive map, illustrating the global distribution of our Community of Practice members.
-
I am skilled at turning broad concepts into concrete and actionable materials, effectively bridging the gap between ideas and implementation. I specialize in distilling complex content to craft simple and engaging narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. For example, upon joining this project, I created a summary report of the CoP from information gleaned from surveys, presentations, grants, and miscellaneous notes. I also created a shorter, 1-page version of this report and have translated both documents to French (Swahili translations are in progress).
-
I crafted a compelling visual identity for AfriBCD. Through a combination of creative design, color palettes, and typography, I have translated complex, conceptual ideas into visually captivating materials. By harmonizing design elements with brand messaging, I create visuals that communicate effectively, evoke meaningful connections, and drive brand recognition. This is showcased in the website, conference program, and many reports, infographics, social media posts and videos I created.