Botswana delegation visits IRR, strengthening sexual and reproductive health partnership

The Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Group

The Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Group, led by Professor Chelsea Morroni at the Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, conducts interdisciplinary research to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and maternal health in low- and middle-income countries.

Their research focuses on three core areas: 

• optimising women’s sexual health and wellbeing before, during, and after pregnancy
• developing integrated approaches to STI diagnosis and management and HIV prevention and treatment within SRH care
• implementation research to translate evidence into practice through scalable interventions embedded in routine health services.

All their work is underpinned by a strong commitment to capacity strengthening and equitable partnership building.

Learn more about the Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Group

The visit to Edinburgh

A central part of the visit took place at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR), where the delegation met researchers and senior leaders to discuss shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration in infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health, antimicrobial resistance, data management, training and capacity strengthening. Professor Sikhulile Moyo and Professor Morroni presented a seminar introducing BHP and BSRHI, while Dr Hayley Mableson led a session on NIHR opportunities and developing global health research careers.

Health is Global Research Symposium

The delegation also contributed to the EMS300 Health is Global Research Symposium, sharing lessons from Botswana on building equitable and resilient global health partnerships. 

Across two inspiring days, the group explored what equitable global health partnerships require: local leadership, shared decision-making, strong research capacity, meaningful community involvement and a commitment to translating evidence into policy and practice.

"As Professor Liz Grant highlighted in her opening remarks, health is global - and building a healthier future requires partnerships founded on equity, trust, local leadership and shared purpose. We are proud to be part of this shared journey," said the Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Group via LinkedIn.

Read about their involvement in the Global Research Symposium

Africa Research Day

The Botswana delegation concluded an inspiring week in Edinburgh by participating in the University's Africa Research Day 2026 event. Under the theme "Beyond Collaboration: Positioning Community Benefit at the Centre of Global Research Partnerships", the event considered how global research can strengthen local leadership and deliver meaningful benefits for communities.

Professor Moyo delivered a keynote on community-centred African science, while Professor Catherine Koofhethile, Dr Bonolo Phinius and Dr Tlamelo Setshwaelo contributed to the early- and mid-career researchers’ session.

Learn about their involvement in the Africa Research Day event

Strengthening partnerships for the future

The visit strengthened institutional relationships and created promising opportunities for future research, training and knowledge exchange. Reflecting on the visit, Dr Gaerolwe Masheto, Executive Director of Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, said:

Our visit to Edinburgh was inspiring and rewarding. I was encouraged by the warmth of our hosts, the openness of our exchanges and the shared ambition to ensure that research delivers meaningful benefits for communities.

Read Dr Gaerolwe Masheto's full quote on LinkedIn