ESR Research Seed Grant Global Projects 2025

Green radiology departments

• WAFI-GREEN (Women’s Advanced Facility for Imaging – Green Radiology Pilot): Integrating Sustainability and Innovation in Women-Centered Imaging Services

Expected Impact: WAFI-GREEN will demonstrate that even small-scale, low-cost interventions can meaningfully reduce the environmental impact of radiology services. Expected outcomes include a 10–15% reduction in energy use and contrast media waste, improved digital efficiency, and increased staff awareness of sustainable practices. The project will also generate baseline data and a replicable framework for future green radiology initiatives. By focusing on a women’s imaging unit, the pilot highlights the intersection of gender-sensitive care and environmental responsibility. The findings will inform a larger grant proposal aimed at scaling the model across departments and institutions. WAFI-GREEN will position the host facility as a pioneer in sustainable imaging and contribute to broader healthcare decarbonization goals.

Hanan Gwefel
Women and Fetal Imaging -WAFI, Egypt

Workforce sustainability

• Artificial Intelligence-Supported Workflow Optimization and Burnout Reduction among Radiographers in the Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Climate-Vulnerable Settings of Northeast Nigeria: A Pilot Study for Sustainable Radiology Workforce Development

Expected Impact: This project will, for the first time in the region, generate vital evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of AI-supported workflow interventions for radiology workforce sustainability in low-resource, conflict-affected settings. By reducing burnout and improving workflow efficiency, the intervention could improve staff retention, service delivery, and morale among radiographers. The pilot also serves as a model for digital innovation tailored to primary healthcare integration and human resource development, especially in fragile regions affected by security crises and climate change. Findings will inform the development of larger studies and funding proposals for scale-up across Nigeria and similar LMIC contexts and settings.
The results will be shared at the ECR 2026 and submitted to ESR-affiliated journals, with acknowledgment of the ESR’s support. If successful, the project will contribute to regional health policy dialogues on workforce resilience and support broader implementation of sustainable radiology practices across Africa. Thus, meeting the triple billion target of the human resource for health of the WHO.

Alaysaa Anas
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria