The PhD Balancing Act for Lasting Capacity in Practice

About this episode

This episode discusses the integration of PhD research with clinical practice using the PACTS programme as a case study.

In this final episode of our mini-series on research capacity strengthening, we explore how pursuing a PhD, using the PACTS programme (Patient-centred Sickle Cell Disease Management in sub-Saharan Africa), as a real-world example—can enhance, rather than compete with, clinical practice. Our guests reflect on what it means to balance research with clinical care, teaching, community outreach, and academic responsibilities, and share honest insights about the challenges and opportunities that come with embedding a PhD within a larger programme. From learning by doing to mentoring the next generation, this episode looks at how research can be a powerful tool for real-world impact in health systems. In this episode: Dr. Mmamulatelo Siame Mumba - PhD Student, SBA lead, Project coordinator, Zambia Dr. Mmamulatelo Siame Mumba is a paediatrician and implementation researcher based in Zambia. She is undertaking a PhD with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and leads the Standards-Based Audit teams across PACTS sites while coordinating research activities on the ground. Dr. Hezekiah Isa Albarka - Lecturer at University of Abuja, Nigeria Dr. Hezekiah Isa Albarka is a senior lecturer…

People in this episode

Guests: Dr. Mmamulatelo Siame Mumba, Dr. Hezekiah Isa Albarka, Dr. Eunice Agyeman Ahmed

Topics covered

• PhD
• clinical practice
• research capacity
• sickle cell disease
• health systems
• mentoring

Keywords

• PhD
• clinical care
• research
• sickle cell disease
• community outreach
• academic responsibilities
• mentoring
• health systems

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Abuja, PACTS programme

Places: Zambia, sub-Saharan Africa

More episodes of Connecting Citizens to Science

• The Global Debate on Obesity Management Medicines · May 19, 2026 · 23 min
• Understanding Gender as a System Part 2 · January 30, 2026 · 20 min
• Understanding Gender as a System Part 1 · November 28, 2025 · 17 min
• TB Realities in the UK and Globally · November 7, 2025 · 18 min
• Art and Activism for Gender Justice · October 3, 2025 · 23 min
• Disability and Gender Justice · August 29, 2025 · 19 min