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Sustainable Training in Epidemiological Analysis and Modelling for Data-Driven Decision Making in Africa

About Us

about

STEAM-3D

The STEAM 3D project is a Horizon Europe-funded coordination and support initiative aimed on strengthening infectious diseases modelling, epidemiological analysis and data science capacity across Africa. 

Its overarching goal is to empower African researchers, public health professionals, and institutions with the skills, collaborative networks, and tools to generate, analyse, and translate complex health data into actionable evidence. This evidence will support informed policy development, strengthen outbreak preparedness and response and contribute to more resilient health systems across the region.

Our Vision

To establish a sustainable, Africa-led ecosystem of excellence and expertise in infectious disease modelling, enabling timely, accurate, data-driven and contextually relevant responses to current and emerging public health challenges.

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Our Approach

STEAM 3D adopts a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and sustainable capacity-strengthening strategy built on four key pillars:

Capacity Development

The project delivers high-quality, intensive, and practical training workshops covering:

  • Mathematical and statistical modelling
  • Outbreak data analysis
  • Wastewater epidemiology
  • Routine health data analysis
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning

These courses combine strong theoretical foundations with practical hands-on application using real-world African datasets to address locally relevant public health challenges.

Sustainability and Mentorship

To ensure long-term impact and continued growth beyond the project lifespan, STEAM 3D will:

  • Establishes a pipeline of skilled trainees, mentors and future African leaders in infectious disease modelling
  • Provides structured mentorship and career development opportunities
  • Utilises open-access platforms to ensure equitable access to training resources and long-term availability of educational materials

All trainees will become part of an Infectious Disease Modelling Working Group (IDMWG), creating a collaborative community of practice that supports continued knowledge exchange, peer learning, and regional networking.

Evidence-to-Policy Translation

A core focus of STEAM 3D is strengthening the connection between scientific evidence, public health practice and decision-making by:

  • Training participants to develop interactive dashboards and effective communication tools
  • Supporting the translation of research findings into evidence-informed policies and interventions
  • Enhancing stakeholder engagement, science communication and knowledge translation between researchers and decision-makers

Partnerships and Networks

STEAM 3D strengthens existing networks and builds sustainable multidisciplinary collaborations by:

  • Leveraging African-led South–South partnerships to promote regional knowledge sharing and expertise exchange
  • Engaging with international research institutions
  • Connecting researchers, policymakers, and public health stakeholders

What Makes STEAM 3D Unique

  • Focus on long-term sustainability, not short-term training
  • Strong emphasis on policy impact and decision-making
  • Use of open-access tools and platforms
  • Integration of training, mentorship, and collaboration
  • Commitment to Africa-led research and solutions

Long Term Vision

STEAM‑3D aims to create a lasting legacy by:

  • Expanding training across Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Developing a network of three training hubs to support capacity building across Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa
  • Building a continent-wide modelling network
  • Supporting data-driven public health systems
  • Enhancing resilience to future health threats