Paper details
| Paper authors | Dr. Harriet Rachel Kagoya Kibuule, Ian Tuhumwire, Dr. Daniel Atwine, Dr. James Oloo, Dr. Rachel Beyagira, Olivia Clare Kiconco, Dr. Viola Nilah Nyakato |
| In panel on | The future of humanitarian research (Roundtable) |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
Amidst shrinking resources, the need for action oriented, implementation research is critical. The effective approach is through deliberate, multi stakeholder partnerships that merge academic rigor with humanitarian priorities. Academic institutions offer rigorous research, while humanitarian organizations require evidence to guide impactful, sustainable interventions. Together, implementation research rooted in such collaborations can drive sustainable humanitarian outcomes.
In 2024, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) partnered with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and together with Soar Research Foundation (SRF)–Uganda, the University of Windsor, Canada, and Uganda’s Ministry of Health submitted a proposal under the Addressing Neglected Areas in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub Saharan Africa (ANeSA) initiative, funded by the IDRC, Global Affairs Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This led to the CONNECT project: “Caregiver–Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication among Refugee and Host Communities in Southwestern and Northern Uganda.” CONNECT builds on prior research work at MUST, integrates SRF’s research excellence, URCS’s widespread community reach, and Ministry of Health policy influence. By confronting longstanding social and cultural gender norms that hinder caregiver engagement in adolescent health communication, CONNECT seeks to address a critically overlooked aspect of reproductive health.
