Improving Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Malawi
We are working with adolescents, family and community members, health workers, policy makers, and other organizations to design, implement and evaluate approaches to improving adolescent health and wellbeing.
How we work
We are working with adolescents, parents and guardians and other interested parties to develop promising approaches to improve their health and wellbeing using a multi-sectoral approach. The following are our main work strands:

Capacity Strengthening and Training

Economic and Policy Frameworks

Formative Research and Longitudinal Observatory

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Adolescents

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Inspiring Adolescent Wellbeing
We are a joint research initiative of:

News and Events
World Wellbeing Week 24 – 30th June 2025: Understanding Adolescent Wellbeing in Malawi
In recognition of World Wellbeing Week, our Global Health Research Group shares insights into what wellbeing actually means to adolescents in Malawi.
Through in-depth interviews and group discussions, young people described wellbeing as feeling emotionally safe, respected, supported by family and peers, and having their basic needs met. But they also highlighted the realities of poverty, domestic stress, and limited opportunities that continue to impact their emotional and social wellbeing.
These perspectives are shaping our approach to designing youth-led, contextually relevant interventions.
Read our blog to learn more on these initial findings
Engineering a fresh path: my PhD journey to exploring adolescent health and behaviour science.
From water pumps to wellbeing, I never imagined my engineering journey would lead me here.
Chasing a long-standing passion for WASH, I stepped into the world of adolescent health – armed with technical skills, a curious mind, and a growing desire to drive real change.
Starting a PhD remotely from Tanzania, disconnected from peers in Glasgow and Malawi, left me wondering: how would I fit in?
Between parenting, packing, and pivoting into behavioural science, I found myself learning not just how to research – but how to listen, adapt, and connect.
This is not just a story about water or sanitation – it’s about finding my place in global health, and why centring adolescents is reshaping everything I thought I knew.
NIHR-GHRG Steering Group Meeting 2025
The NIHR-GHRG Steering Group Meeting 2025 brought together researchers, policymakers, and institutional partners in Blantyre to reflect on progress, share insights, and shape the next phase of work to improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Malawi. With presentations across six Work Strands and leadership from key ministries, the meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to youth-centred, evidence-driven impact.