The Team researching on Inspiring Adolescent Wellbeing (WS6) recently completed a week-long training in Blantyre, Malawi, preparing researchers to explore how adolescents aged 10–14 perceive their social and emotional wellbeing. The training focused on ethical research practices, adapting tools into Chichewa, and using innovative storytelling methods to engage young participants. This participatory and narrative-driven approach aims to create a safe, child-centred environment where adolescents can share what truly matters to them.

“I have liked this meeting because it was safe. There was not that this one is old, and this one is young. We were all doing things as one.” (Male adolescent attendee) Work Strand 4 (WASH team) of the NIHR Global Research Group on Improving Adolescent Health &...

Imagine being forced into marriage before finishing school, with your dreams set aside by tradition and poverty. For many young girls in Malawi, this is a reality, as the country’s child marriage rate remains at a staggering 37.7%—almost double the global average. Despite efforts to end this practice, the question remains: why does it persist, and what can be done to change it?

By Dr. Tara Beattie My last visit to Malawi was just before Covid19 hit in 2020, and obviously during the pandemic opportunity to come out was very restricted. I was then disappointed I couldn’t attend the project launch meeting in November 2022. So when the...

Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a fascinating journey investigating the   complexities of early adolescent health and well-being in the vibrant landscape of Malawi. Join us as we explain the stories, challenges, and triumphs encountered in our...

~ by Velia Manyonga -University of Strathclyde (Scotland) I was very excited when I was offered the scholarship to study PhD in Social Policy with the University of Strathclyde. For years, I harbored a strong desire to further my education, but financial constraints...

On this World Health Day, we advocate for the fundamental right to health for all, including adolescents who are shaping our future. However, for many young people, their health journey is marred by the shadow of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), which profoundly...

Lack of access to safe and adequate water supply remains a challenge globally, but especially in sub-Saharan Africa. With a predominately youthful population in this region, this is a challenge that continues to blight the lives of young people. In Malawi nearly half...

I have worked in research since 2014, but this years’ experience from data collection in the field has completely changed my perspective on quite an important issue we often talk about. I was very excited to start our formative data collection exercise, where our work...

After many months of collaborating across disciplines and expertise between University of Strathclyde, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences the teams were delighted to depart to the field to begin their engagement...