Prepared for the 'unexpected'? Lessons from the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa on integrating emergent theory designs into outbreak response.

### Summary boxHow prepared were we for this most recent Ebola outbreak? Real-time emergent research is imperative for successful response to global health emergencies. While innovative biomedical interventions are certainly important,1 local on-the-ground realities during the 2014–2015 West African Ebola epidemic demanded a different though complementary set of research skills. Effective response required deep, sensitive understandings of emergent local dynamics and flexible, emergent solution. Emergency intervention called for evolving, flexible emergent methods that produced and translated rapid knowledge throughout the crisis. Yet, the need for emergent theory methodologies such as ethnography that actively witness and document the unforeseen consequences of emergencies and their response receives little attention in preparedness strategies.2 Global health community preparedness and response largely hinges on the rapid financialisation and development of innovative …