HIGH IRI News

Advancing Global Health Research

Building Africa’s Implementation Science Future: WASHU, UNZA and UKZN launch AFRI-HIGH IRI in Lusaka: A strategic collaboration to advance implementation research capacity in Africa

On March 3-5, 2025 Washington University in St. Louis, in collaboration with the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), launched the African HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Health Implementation Research Institute (AFRI-HIGH IRI)—the first regional training hub of the successful HIGH IRI program on the African continent. This exciting collaboration represents a strategic step toward building sustainable, African-led implementation research capacity to address complex health challenges across the region.

AFRI-HIGH IRI is designed to equip emerging researchers and health program implementers with the theoretical foundations, practical skills, and collaborative networks necessary to translate evidence into policy and practice. With implementation science gaining prominence globally, this institute ensures that African institutions are not only participating in but shaping the field through locally grounded, globally informed research.

Over an intensive three-day programme, early-career researchers, academics, and Ministry of Health officials from across Africa and the U.S. engaged in applied learning and peer exchange. The curriculum, adapted in collaboration with local teams for regional relevance, emphasized contextual tailoring of strategies, sustainability, and systems thinking—key competencies for strengthening public health delivery in low-resource settings.

Professor Trywell Kalusopa, UNZA’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, captured the institute’s strategic value: “By investing in implementation science, we are investing in more responsive, effective, and equitable health systems. This program positions African researchers to drive locally relevant solutions.”   Dr. Hikabasa Halwiindi, Dean of Public Health at UNZA, described the initiative as a “transformative game-changer.”

In the current context of declining global health funding—especially from major donors such as the U.S.—AFRI-HIGH IRI highlights the need for efficient, local, data-driven, and sustainable approaches to health system improvement. It also strengthens institutional capacity across partner universities, aligning with national and regional research priorities.

As a regional center of excellence, AFRI-HIGH IRI sets the foundation for long-term collaboration, south-south learning, and academic leadership in implementation science. It reflects the potential of African institutions to lead transformative research that not only generates knowledge but drives measurable impact across health systems.

---

Recruitment Call: Systems Science for Social Impact Summer Training Institute

We are excited to share the news that applications are open for the 6th annual Systems Science for Social Impact Summer Training Institute, to be held at Washington University in St. Louis from July 28 – August 1, 2025.

At this five-day training, participants will get a hands-on introduction to systems science methods with a focus on five main tracks: Intro to Systems (Virginia McKay (HIGH IRI Faculty) & Alexandra Morshed, instructors), Agent-based Modeling (Ross Hammond & Matt Kasman, instructors), Group Model Building (Ellis Ballard & Kelsey Werner, instructors), Social Network Analysis (Douglas Luke & Sara Malone (HIGH IRI Faculty), instructors), and System Dynamics (Nasim Sabounchi & Kristen Hassmiller Lich, instructors). Participants will review the major concepts of their chosen track/method, learn analytic best practices, and apply the methods to real-world data. The workshops are designed for faculty, advanced graduate students, recent graduates, and professionals from public health, social work, and social sciences.

The application process is open; candidates will be accepted on monthly basis through July 11, 2025.

Visit the SSSI website or contact HIGH IRI faculty member, Sara Malone at sara.malone@wustl.edu for more information!

University of Colorado

Dissemination and Implementation Scientist

JOB DESCRIPTION: The University of Colorado School of Medicine (CU SOM) seeks an experienced Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) Scientist, ideally at the associate professor level, to be a core member of an active and growing D&I research, training and consultation program.

This position will be predominantly research and research methodology consulting,
although some teaching in our graduate certificate program in D&I is included. The position is open to applicants with postdoctoral PhD level training and substantial expertise in D&I science. The position will involve partnership with diverse programs, departments and
disciplines across the CU SOM, as well as other schools, community and academic partner
organizations. The position is within the D&I Science Program of the CU and Children’s Hospital Colorado Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS) and an academic home in the Department of Family Medicine or other CU SOM Department mutually determined by the candidate and home department. A specific content area of interest within the area of D&I science is not required; although we are especially interested in applicants with expertise in:

1. Systems science and learning health systems;
2. Dissemination science, including health communication and social marketing; or
3. Health equity and alignment with areas of current ACCORDS D&I program strengths

Upcoming Events