What happens after a fellowship ends? How can alumni stay connected to the program and continue advancing their skills and impact? At Library Aid Africa, we create opportunities for alumni to lead, learn, and contribute, as seen with a select group of our alumni from the Young African Library Leaders Fellowship serving as Researchers-in-Residence for the IFN Impact Research.

These five researchers were strategically selected from across Africa representing West, East, Southern, and North Africa, with one from the French-speaking region of West Africa. They draw on their networks and close ties with alumni and library stakeholders in their regions to help carry out the research effectively. Rabab Shaker Bedeir from North Africa Egypt, Joel Tchoropa from Benin, Shalom Yusuf from Nigeria, Aina Megameno from Namibia, and Naomy Mwaurah from Kenya have all stepped into this role to support us to understand the impact of the Young African Library Leaders Fellowship across the continent.

The YALLF Alumni Researchers In Residence act as a bridge between Library Aid Africa and our wider alumni network. Their role is central to the IFN Impact Research as they engage with 100 YALLF Alumni across 19 countries, gathering data, and ensuring that the voices of our alumni are accurately captured. They are contributing to mapping the outcomes of the fellowship, from professional growth to community engagement, institutions and systems, while also gaining hands-on research experience themselves.

This initiative is a key part of our strategy to continuously engage our alumni by giving them meaningful responsibilities and creating pathways for professional development to strengthen their connection to the Library Aid Africa community. At the same time, our impact research benefits from their participation, their regional knowledge, and their understanding of alumni experiences, making the data richer and more reflective of the fellowship’s reach.

Through this collaboration, the Researchers-in-Residence collect data and support us to tell the story of YALLF’s growth and influence across Africa. Their work demonstrates how thoughtful engagement with alumni can strengthen both our research initiatives and our community of library leaders.

Working with YALLF alumni as Researchers-in-Residence on the IFN Impact Research has been a strategic way to keep alumni connected while giving them valuable opportunities to contribute and grow professionally. By this collaboration, they gain hands-on research experience and strengthen their skills. We also hope to engage even more alumni in future programs and initiatives across Africa to expand their networks and create new opportunities for impact within the library space