RESEARCH & EVIDENCE

Generating actionable knowledge for health impact

Our research is grounded in rigorous methodologies, implementation science, and a deep commitment to translating evidence into policies, programs, and practices that improve lives across Africa.

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OUR APPROACH

Research that drives real-world change

UWRA's research portfolio is designed to address the most pressing public health challenges facing African communities. We prioritize implementation research, evidence synthesis, and knowledge translation to ensure that our findings directly inform policy and practice.

Our work is guided by a commitment to scientific excellence, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. We partner with governments, universities, and communities to co-design research that is relevant, ethical, and impactful.

View Our Research Agenda

22+

Publications

12+

Active research projects

5+

Research institutions partnered

8

Counties engaged

FOCUS AREAS

Our research areas

We concentrate our research efforts on areas where evidence can drive the greatest health and policy impact.

Maternal & Child Health

Improving maternal and child health outcomes through community-based interventions and health systems strengthening.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Developing and evaluating scalable mental health interventions for adolescents, adults, and communities.

Non-Communicable Diseases

Addressing the growing burden of NCDs through prevention, early detection, and integrated care models.

Health Systems Strengthening

Investigating strategies to build resilient health systems that deliver equitable, quality care.

Digital Health & Innovation

Leveraging technology, AI, and data science to improve health access, delivery, and decision-making.

Implementation Science

Studying what works, for whom, and under what conditions to scale evidence-based interventions.

FLAGSHIP RESEARCH

Flagship studies

Our signature research initiatives are designed to generate evidence that shapes policy and practice across Africa.

Maternal & Child Health

Community-based Research

Evaluating the impact of community health worker-led interventions on maternal outcomes in rural Kenya.

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Mental Health

Mental health & Wellbeing

A randomized trial of interventions to reduce depression and anxiety.

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Health Systems

Strengthening primary care referral

Implementation research on improving referral systems between community and facility levels.

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OUR EXPERTISE

Key research pillars

Four interconnected pillars that define our approach to generating and translating evidence.

Implementation Research

We study how evidence-based interventions can be effectively delivered in real-world settings, with a focus on scalability and sustainability.

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Evidence Synthesis

We systematically review, appraise, and synthesize existing research to inform policy, practice, and future research priorities.

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Knowledge Translation

We bridge the gap between research and action by translating complex evidence into accessible resources for diverse audiences.

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Data & Research Infrastructure

We build and maintain robust data systems, repositories, and collaborative networks to support high-quality research.

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Commitment to Research Ethics

All UWRA research is conducted in accordance with the highest ethical standards, with respect for participants, communities, and data integrity. Our protocols are reviewed by accredited ethics committees and adhere to international guidelines.

Learn about our ethics framework
GET INVOLVED

Research opportunities

We welcome collaboration with researchers, institutions, and partners who share our commitment to evidence-driven health impact.

Research Collaborations

Partner with us on research projects that address priority health challenges.

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Research Fellowships

Join our fellowship program to develop research leadership skills.

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Commissioned Research

Work with us to generate evidence for policy, programming, or evaluation.

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