{
  "abstract": "The use of advanced analytics in public health policy remains hindered by a disconnect between researchers, policymakers and technical experts. Bridging this gap requires intentional knowledge translation strategies that facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world application of research findings. Hackathons, which bring together diverse stakeholders in a time-bound, solution-oriented format, offer an approach to address this challenge. In January 2025, the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis at the University of Nairobi organised the Bridging the Gap Hackathon, designed to strengthen collaboration between academia, policy and public health practitioners in Kenya. The hackathon convened researchers, software engineers and policymakers to co-develop data-driven tools to tackle public health challenges identified by Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Veterinary Services. Over five days and using a structured multi-stage process, six interdisciplinary teams developed prototype solutions to improve outbreak surveillance, vaccine deployment, data quality monitoring and health workforce estimation. This paper reflects on the hackathon’s structure, participant experiences and project outcomes, highlighting key lessons for future knowledge translation initiatives. Our findings suggest that hackathons can serve as effective platforms for accelerating interdisciplinary research impact, fostering engagement between policymakers and researchers and promoting the development of solutions to public health issues.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya",
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Paula Christen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Jeanette Dawa"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya",
        "Mombasa County Government, Mombasa, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Omar Ahmed"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Disease Surveillance and Response, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Florence Akinyi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Turkana County, Kenya Ministry of Health, Turkana, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Bonventure Ameyo Masakhwe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Daniel Biftu Bekalo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Cosmas Biwot"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Arani B Bosire"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Giovanni Charles"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Qhala, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Veronicah Gathoni"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Katy A M Gaythorpe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Githinji Geoffrey"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Machini Tech, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Salmon Gowa"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Vaccines and Immunization Program, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Fathiyah Said Hamumy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Health Sector Monitoring and Evaluation, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Hannah Kagiri"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "George Kamundia"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Stephanie Kamunya"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "IntelliSOFT consulting, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Pius Kariuki"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Vaccines and Immunization Program, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Lydiah Khalayi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Ivy Kombe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Section (VEES), Directorate Veterinary Services, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Purity Kwamboka"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Paul Liétar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Noel Likalamu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Brian Lugonzo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Vincent Mariita"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Augustine Masinde"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Section (VEES), Directorate Veterinary Services, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Mumbua Mbithi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Ruth McCabe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Kisii University, Kisii, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Fred Nyamitago Monari"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of National Laboratory Services (DNLS), Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Francis Ondicho Motiri"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Antony M Muchiri"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Section (VEES), Directorate Veterinary Services, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Annah Mudamba"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Digital Health, Policy and Informatics, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Peter Waweru Mugo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya",
        "Washington State University Paul G Allen School for Global Health, Pullman, Washington, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Nyamai Mutono"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Moses Muriithi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya",
        "Washington State University Paul G Allen School for Global Health, Pullman, Washington, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Ryan Musasia"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Mumbua Mutunga"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Waithera Mwangi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "BCL, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "John Nalwa"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "20Four7Va, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Kibet Immanuel Ngeno"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Jackline Mosinya Nyaberi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of National Laboratory Services (DNLS), Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Peninna Mwongeli Nzoka"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "John Ojal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Tabitha Okech"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Disease Surveillance and Response, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Emmanuel Okunga"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya",
        "Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Evans Omondi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Joseph Osoro"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Finesse, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Preston Osoro"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Nairobi West Hospital Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Amika Patel"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Stanley Sayianka"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Triza Shigoli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Vaccines and Immunization Program, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Catherine Silali"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Digital Health, Policy and Informatics, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Martin M Thendu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Sabine L van Elsland"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Kariithi Anne Wanjiku"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Philip Muchemi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Lilith K Whittles"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Peter Winskill"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya"
      ],
      "name": "Loice Achieng Ombajo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya",
        "The University of Edinburgh Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Edinburgh, UK"
      ],
      "name": "S M Thumbi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Oliver J Watson"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Bridging the gap between public health, academia and policy",
  "uid": "52c2d39f-c139-5e72-bf39-d4dfb9ccfd40"
}