Investigating the impact of the international response to the 2014 West African Ebola crisis

The 2014 West African Ebola crisis has been declared one of the deadliest outbreaks in the region. While the crisis was eventually contained with aid from the international community, the impact of the international response on African people and institutions is not clear. 

I will review the literature to determine the extent to which African scientists and researchers influenced the global discourse on Ebola. I will also conduct interviews with key African figures such as scientists, clinicians and policy makers in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia, to understand how the international responses affected them and the institutions they represent. 

This work will aid researchers and policy makers in Africa. It will also inform those working in global health on practices that promote the capacity, visibility and agency of key African people and institutions. My findings will help us understand the impact of the international response to the crisis on the people and institutions of West Africa.