Dr José Jackson-Malete is the Co-Director of the Alliance for African Partnerships (AAP) at Michigan State University (MSU). This is an initiative established by the university in 2016 that builds on its 60-year history of partnerships in Africa to develop new, innovative ways of partnering with African institutions and to co-create solutions to global challenges. Her responsibilities include establishing a robust network of innovative partnerships among the MSU, African universities, and other international partners; ensuring that the AAP has a governance structure that reflects and promotes the model of co-creation; strengthening capacity among partner institutions; promoting programmes for women in science, as well as attracting a diversity of resources necessary to achieve the AAP’s vision of impact.

Dr Jackson-Malete is a former President of the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) and led SARIMA’s efforts in the professionalisation of research management. She is a food scientist, and has over 20 years of experience in research, teaching and working in industry in Africa, the Caribbean and the USA, particularly within the agricultural sector. She maintains an active research programme that focuses on processing and adding value to indigenous fruit and vegetable products, ensuring quality and safety, and contributing to food and nutrition security, while improving the livelihoods of communities.