“The President will be with you in 45 minutes”

11 May 2011

The President in question was Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania; the location was the ornate backdrop of his reception rooms in the State House, Dar es Salaam and the occasion was the granting of an exclusive interview to RIUtv on the subject of the RIU-backed poultry project following a meeting between the President and RIU's country coordinator, Vera Mugittu.

RIU Communications update

25 April 2011

Keith Sones

In the last communications update I highlighted how storytelling is at the heart of the RIU approach to communications.

RIUtv revisions

25 January 2011

Duncan Sones

One of the key components of the RIU programme is to experiment with different forms of communication.

Sierra Leone research into use and communication

24 June 2010

David Suale

"In May 2010 we produced a baseline survey of PAID setting out the types of organizations, level of capacity, information and networking needs of our members. They want information on:

RIUtv correspondent reviews the battle against armyworm

2 June 2010

Nik Wood

'I have seen real progress in the projects backed by RIU to forecast the arrival of armyworm and to eradicate them using a natural biological agent. On my first trip, to areas of the Rift Valley in Kenya earlier in 2010, where thousands of hectares were devastated by the caterpillars, I witnessed the damage that these voracious eaters can cause to crops and pastureland and the inevitable financial impact this has on farmers.

RIU Africa Country Programmes become citizen journalists...

23 April 2010

Keith Sones

The use of short films is a key part of our RIU communications strategy, which places great emphasis on enabling people to talk about Research Into Use in their own words.

I am delighted that we are now getting RIUtv films directly from our Africa Country Programme teams. Last year we have equipped these with broadcast-quality camcorders, microphones and tripods, and provided training and mentoring to enable them to tell their own emerging stories.

RIUtv and Best Bets

10 March 2010

Keith Sones

We have had a concerted effort to film the emerging stories for the five RIU Best Bets projects. We have also made RIUtv films with Stamp Out Sleeping Sickness, the Best Bets exemplar, both in the field in Uganda in London covering the announcement of their £1 million BBRSC grant to extend their approach to Nigeria.

Africa Country Programmes meeting in Nairobi

2 February 2010

Keith Sones

We have had good feedback from the people who attended the RIU team meeting in Nairobi at the end of January. People generally liked the agenda and found that the group size meant that meaningful discussions could take place. There was valuable time for smaller meetings too. There was a suggestion that the African Country Programme updates could be more interactive - such as shorter presentations and a facilitated Q&A session. There was a feeling too that there was a need for more information on the research fellows and how the programmes will be expected to work with them. We can address these issues at our next meeting.

RIUtv goes live

18 November 2009

Keith Sones

We launched the RIUtv channel on the website at the RIU Best Bets programme in Nairobi. The films and viewing platform have been well received.