LEAD Global Research Notes from the Field

When I reflect on my journey to Uganda, I am always drawn back to the first time I saw the Independence Monument. Located in the heart of Kampala, the 29-foot-tall concrete sculpture shows a woman standing firmly on the ground, tied with a rope around her body but lifting her child up to the sky, […]

As I reflect on this summer experience, I feel immense gratitude, motivation, and hope for my future. As a clinical research scientist primarily focused on blood-based biomarkers and -omics research, this was an entirely new experience for me. The summer was filled with incredible learning sessions on a wide range of relevant topics, from community […]

I had the pleasure to do an interactive training on violence prevention that applied active listening and art-based approaches to mental health at the Butabika National Referral Mental Health Hospital. Active listening can play a significant role in preventing or de-escalating violent situations. When individuals are able to empathetically connect, which means not only listening […]

At times, my LEAD training experience was a balancing act. I wrote a grant and worked on several manuscripts during this period. I am a junior faculty member, and I had to balance my desire to do LEAD with the pressures of new faculty. KwaZulu-Natal, often called KZN among South Africans, was a great place […]

When I travel, I try to cook with mammas in their kitchens. I do not claim to have any cooking skills. However, I am always willing to learn and through their cooking, I learn so much about their culture and traditions. I stayed at the Beri Hotel in Arua City, Uganda, for longer than I […]

As a Black woman and African American, my identity has been shaped by my race, gender, and my southern roots in the United States. It is also informed by the historical and current oppression experienced by Black people in my home country. Over the past few years, I have traveled to several countries and added […]

“Guess what I’m doing this weekend?” I posed this question to youth at a local Ugandan school. I connected with these youth while exploring their educational and socio-emotional needs during my LEAD global research experience. Several students asked, “What? Tell us!” “I’m going gorilla trekking at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park!” I exclaimed. Several youths […]

In this blog, I am focusing on the people who are vital to the research. Each person brings vital ingredients to ensure that the research is rigorous and complete. The Bidibidi Refugee Resettlement participants walk kilometers to participate in the research without food and water. They are all living with HIV and taking Antiretroviral Therapy […]

In my journey through the field of global health, particularly within refugee and migrant populations, I’ve witnessed firsthand how poverty and social determinants profoundly impact mental health. On the first day of our visit to the Bidibidi refugee settlement, our zone was receiving its monthly food rations. The food was being distributed from a guarded […]

The sounds of Durban are Amapiano with a mix of traditional Zulu music. The people have been warm and welcoming since arriving in Durban, South Africa, to continue my LEAD training at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). I went with field research staff to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, for a few fieldwork days. Pietermaritzburg is a […]

“To be called a refugee is the opposite of an insult; it is a badge of strength, courage, and victory.” – Tennessee Office for Refugees June 20th was World Refugee Day. With more than 37.6 million people who identify as refugees (UNHCR, 2023), I am in awe of the strength, courage, and resilience of people who have […]

Spending the past two weeks in Uganda has been a transformative experience, filled with invaluable lessons and enlightening encounters. From the bustling streets of Kampala to the serene yet challenging environments of the Bidibidi and Rhino refugee settlements, my journey has been one of discovery, learning, and deep engagement. The First Days: Masaka, Uganda Our […]

Rhythmic drums. Swayed hips. Angular bending of arms, legs, and torso. Stomped feet. Fluid movements. Electric smiles. Since my arrival in Uganda, I have been captivated by the rhythmic Ugandan dances. For example, the traditional dance performed by children from Kimaanya Primary School stands out to me. Before the performance, I was mesmerized by their […]

Welcome to LEAD Global Training Program’s blog: LEAD Global Research Notes from the Field!