How does postpartum care delivery model help maternal mortality?

Focused-PPC: An Integrated Postpartum Care, Education, and Support Model for Women in Ghana
(In Partnership with Savana Signatures)

This research tests the impact of an innovative integrated group of care, education, and support model for postpartum women up to one year after delivery. Focused postpartum care (PPC) was implemented as a randomized controlled trial in 4 health centers in Tamale, Ghana. (more...)

Researcher: Joyce Adams

How does engaging community leaders increase re-enrollment among primary school-aged children?

School Management and Re-Enrolling Dropouts: Experimental Evidence from Schools in Rural Uganda
(In partnership with Building Tomorrow)

The researchers test whether offering external expertise and personnel to support school principals (by engaging community leaders) can increase re-enrollment among dropouts, general enrollment among primary school-aged children, and test scores. (more...)

Researchers: Joe Kaboski, Viva Bartkus, Wyatt Brooks (University of Arizona), Carolyn Pelnik (Tuft University), and Maurice Sikenyi

How can Sisters in Africa help with the HIV/AIDS crisis?

Assessment of the Impact of Religious Women’s Capacities for Leadership, Caregiving, and Spiritual Guidance in Six African Nations
(In partnership with All-Africa Conference: Sister to Sister)

The study investigates the experience of health interventions in six African countries by an alliance of Catholic sisters in Africa called the “All Africa Conference: Sister to Sister.” The project will generate lessons on preparedness for public health crises and on solidarity with communities affected by the dual crisis of HIV/AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researcher: Maura Ryan

How can empathy-based media campaigns reduce anti-immigrant sentiments?

Experimental Evidence on Attitudes Towards Central American Immigrants in Mexico
(In partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross)

The research examines the immigrant humanitarian crisis in Mexico City and the pressures of the exodus of Central Americans into Mexican territory heading to the United States. Partnering with one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), this project examines interventions that effectively promote Mexican citizens’ support for and solidarity with immigrants in Mexico and raises critical questions, chiefly how empathy-based media campaign narratives reduce prejudice toward Central Americans in Mexico and foster support for pro-immigrant policies as well as altruistic behavior. (more...)

Researchers: Abby Cordova and Natán Skigin

How does integral ecology relate to other themes in the Catholic social tradition?

Sowing Hope: Ecology, Integral Human Development, and Theological Peacebuilding in Uganda
(In partnership with Bethany Land Institute)

The research investigates the notion of “integral ecology” as the theoretical and practical nexus that connects theology, peacebuilding, ecological ethics and Catholic Social Teaching. The research answers three broad questions relating to the conceptualization, application and impact of integral ecology. What is integral ecology, and how does it relate to other themes in the Catholic social tradition? (more...)

Researcher: Fr. Emmanuel Katongole

How can a smartphone application help community health workers address vision problems?

Promoting Eye Health Amongst Children and Adults Through Community Health Workers Using a Smartphone Application: A pilot Project in Dandora Kenya
(In partnership with Northwestern University Department of Ophthalmology and ECK Institute for Global Health at Notre Dame, Bro Andre Hospital in Dandora, Kenya)

Building on the Ford Program’s long-established relationships in Dandora, Kenya, this eye health study assesses the effectiveness of the new application and builds the technical capacity of the local community health workers to address vision problems in the local community. The project offers significant potential for long-term community engagement and capacity for improving learning outcomes, employment opportunities, and quality of life.

Researchers: Rev. Bob Dowd, Bernard Nahlen and Jackline Oluoch-Aridi

How can we promote greater access to maternal health?

Measuring the Value of Insurance and Maternal Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Dandora, Kenya

Residents of Dandora, a sprawling section of Nairobi dominated by a massive garbage dump, contend with high unemployment, food insecurity, violence, poor health, and environmental issues.  (more...)

How can we promote the inclusion of youth?

Kenyan Youth Scenarios Workshops

In 2010 and 2011, several hundred Kenyan youth leaders and activists took part in a series of weeklong workshops designed to help them envision how young people could shape the country 20 years in the future. (more...)

How do women overcome abusive relationships?

Empowering Pregnant Women in Lima, Peru

Many Peruvian women report experiencing physical or sexual violence in long-term romantic relationships, and studies have identified pregnancy as a time of particularly high risk for victimization. That violence carries risks for both mother and child during pregnancy and postpartum. (more...)

How do schools promote good citizens?

Education and Citizenship in Kenya

Education is thought to contribute to citizenship formation by inculcating a sense of nationalism, but also by spurring citizen engagement through the diffusion of political knowledge, the contribution to internal efficacy, and the encouragement of political participation. In an ideal world, education can build trust towards fellow citizens. (more...)