ABERDEEN GUYANA RESEARCH 2015
How we hope to make a difference
We will produce a film, a blog a series of lessons for high school students in both countries, make recordings, form friendships and establish links that will enable smoother communications in future projects.
it is totally unrealistic to think that this very small project will acheive the bold goals in the figure above we hope that it will contribute in some way to the 'the wider impact' outlined by promoting interest and enthuisiasm within and for Guyana amongst our peers and participants.
It is clear that we have taken some serious measures to protect what we fear is a very much at-risk population in such a fascinating country. This is why we are so driven to make sure this project goes ahead...
and although
In more detail....
The beneficiaries of the data collected will first and foremost be the research participants; raising awareness of the risks of western lifestyle within Mukushi and urban Amerindian communities will continue well beyond the completion of data collection. Workshops on healthy living will run throughout the project, so benefits will be both immediate and longstanding. We will present our immediate findings to the Guyanese Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and of Health, thus wasting no time in executing the protection of the health of Guyanese Amerindians. The information we will collect is also of interest to the wider Caribbean public, therefore articles on the research project in layman's terms will be publicised on popular online forums, social media platforms, our expedition website and media outlets. Our data collection will therefore reach a wide and varied audience, all of whom will be able to directly apply what we have found.
This study is a pilot project; our time in the country will kick-start both the taking of measures to protect at-risk Amerindians as well as the potential for Guyanese academics to conduct research of their own in the country. Establishing strong working partnerships is a high priority: we aim for future projects to be instigated and led by the University of Guyana and supported by the University of Aberdeen rather than be externally driven, thus the legacy of the project will remain intact.
The junior research team, both British and Guyanese, are also themselves beneficiaries: the partnership will give Guyanese students access to some of Aberdeen’s resources and a chance to participate in an international research project, gaining skills and knowledge otherwise attained only through emigration to developed countries. Our fostering their passion for research and illustrating the need to research further in Guyana will encourage Guyanese students to stay in the country and broaden the domestic scope of knowledge, in healthcare and beyond. Furthermore, the British students will gain experience themselves; through this project they will feel well-equipped and enthused to continue their aspirations to conduct medical research throughout their careers.
It is hoped that alongside formal result publication, a documentary of the project will be filmed by our student media attachment. This will be a useful resource in aiding the planning of future research collaborations within Guyana and will provide inspiration and direction for students in both partner countries. The student-led ideas exchange project between high school students in Aberdeen and Guyana, will again promote wider discussion of health and changing diets in both countries. Our guides and local organisers have also indicated that they would like training in research principles; facilitating this kind of wider engagement in Guyana's future can only strengthen long term goals.
Lastly, our methods of publicising the project will ensure to highlight the current deficiency in research in Guyana. This will raise the country’s international research profile; promoting future investment and collaboration in what is undoubtedly a fascinating country with great, untapped potential in all facets of research.
