Miriam Cunningham is Head of Research, IST-Africa Institute, and a Senior Consultant primarily focused on ICT and Science Technology and Innovation (STI) related policy analysis, research, implementation and adaptation, and the impact of Research and Innovation on socio-economic development. Miriam has over 20 years’ professional experience in ICT R&D working with public, private and education and research stakeholders in Europe and Africa. Miriam has extensive professional experience undertaking needs assessment, evaluating, monitoring and assessing Research and Innovation (R&I) projects in Europe and Africa as well as field experience creating, implementing and managing cross-border R&I projects in Europe and Africa.