Research and innovation
Partners collaborates with universities and research institutions to improve teaching methods, expand access to learning, and address barriers faced by students and communities. Our projects combine academic insight with practical application to strengthen education and wellbeing across our schools.
Temari Translanguaging Project
Conducted with Professor Karen Wells (University of London, Birkbeck) and Professor Getnet Tadele (Addis Ababa University), this two-year ethnographic study explored how translanguaging — using multiple languages fluidly in the classroom — can improve learning outcomes.
The project introduced new teaching tools in grade 7 classrooms across several Partners schools. Results showed that participating students were 5.1 times more likely to achieve a passing grade than those who did not participate, demonstrating the power of inclusive, language-aware teaching.
Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases (5S-Foundation) Ethiopia (5S Ethiopia)
Launched in January 2023, the 5S project is supported by the Department of Global Health and Infection at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and OSSREA in Ethiopia. The project aims to improve health and reduce stigma related to Podoconiosis (podo) and scabies through education, awareness, and treatment access.
Implemented in five schools and surrounding communities in East Gojjam and Awi Zones — reaching over 100,000 people — the project works in collaboration with local health offices and facilities. It is integrated with our eye health and WaSH programs for greater impact.
Through student ambassadors, teachers, and community health workers, key messages are shared via brochures, billboards, and community gatherings. Students play a vital role as agents of change, helping families recognize symptoms, seek treatment, and reduce stigma in their communities.
