From Research to Impact: Dr. Anncarol Karanja’s Journey Toward Inclusive Innovation

Introduction

Dr. Anncarol Karanja, a researcher at Kenyatta University, joined the Viktoria Ventures Research to Commercialization (R2C) Cohort 1 program from January to May 2023. Her innovation focuses on transforming waste from septic tanks and smallholder crop farming into biofertilizers. While the innovation addresses significant environmental and agricultural challenges, Dr Karanja’s commitment to integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) has enhanced the impact and sustainability of her research commercialization efforts.

Challenges

At the start of the R2C program in 2023, Dr. Karanja and her team had minimal awareness of GESI principles. The team was predominantly male, over 35 years old, and lacked a structured approach to roles and responsibilities. Externally, the innovation and business processes were GESI-blind, with little focus on gender or social considerations.

Identifying suppliers that aligned with GESI principles, such as female-led or managed enterprises, also posed a challenge. Additionally, disaggregated data collection to assess the gender dynamics of the market was absent.

Actions Taken

Participation in the R2C program, including two dedicated GESI training sessions and a GESI assessment in May 2023, provided Dr. Karanja with tools to address these gaps. Key actions included:

1. Team Expansion and Diversification:
• Grew the team from three members (all over 35, with one woman) to five members, including three women and two men.
• Introduced youth representation, with three members under 35.
• Clearly defined roles based on skills, covering business operations, digital communications, sales, and technical expertise/production.
2. Inclusive Recruitment:
• Adopted an objective recruitment process in 2024, issuing a call for applications via the Kenyatta University Incubation Centre.
• Shortlisted candidates, conducted interviews, and selected team members based on merit.
3. GESI in Product Development:
• Intentionally sought female-led or owned enterprises as suppliers of reagents and lab materials, despite challenges in identifying them.
4. Enhanced Market Analysis:
• Collected and analyzed gender-disaggregated data on clientele, finding that 31.9% were female and 68.1% male.

Results

Dr. Karanja’s commitment to GESI principles has yielded tangible outcomes:

Internal Changes:

• A more diverse and inclusive team structure, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Defined roles and responsibilities, ensuring active participation from all members.

External Impact:

• Progress in integrating GESI into supplier selection, fostering inclusivity in the value chain.
• Increased understanding of gender dynamics in the market through data collection.

Business Operations:

• Improved operational efficiency through clear role definition and a structured team.
• Initiated revisions to business data collection tools to better capture and analyze GESI-related insights.

Lessons Learned

1. GESI Integration is a journey: While significant progress has been made internally, external GESI considerations require ongoing attention. Collecting comprehensive disaggregated data is crucial to understanding and enhancing the impact of GESI practices.
2. Inclusive Recruitment Matters: An objective and inclusive recruitment process improves team diversity and functionality.
3. Challenges of Finding Female-Led Suppliers: Despite difficulties, prioritizing female-led enterprises fosters a more inclusive value chain and should remain a focus.

Conclusion

Dr. Anncarol Karanja’s journey demonstrates the transformative power of integrating GESI principles into research commercialization. By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, she has enhanced her team’s functionality and laid the foundation for a more inclusive and impactful business. Her story highlights the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in driving innovation that addresses societal challenges.

This case study underscores the potential for researchers to build sustainable, inclusive businesses by embedding GESI considerations into their innovation processes.