Research centre
Welcome to Sightsavers' research website, where you can find information on our latest projects and publications and learn how research is helping to change lives around the world.
Research at Sightsavers
Our research focuses on eye health, neglected tropical diseases, education and social inclusion. We use the evidence we generate to inform Sightsavers’ programmes in the countries where we work.
Research projects
We run research projects worldwide, working with partners to generate evidence with impact.
Our research projects
Published research
We contribute to the global knowledge base by publishing our research results in peer-reviewed journals and reports.
Publications and resources
Evidence gap maps
Our evidence gap maps are a visual tool to present available evidence and highlight gaps for future research.
Evidence gap maps
Our in-house research makes us different
Sightsavers holds Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status. We are one of the only international non-governmental organisations to hold this status in the UK. As an IRO, we are eligible for grants from the seven UK research councils, including the Medical Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council.
Our research team is made up of more than 30 people based around the world, with skills ranging from epidemiology and economics to geographic information system mapping and community-based participatory research. Our research activities also extend beyond the team, involving many more people across the organisation as well as our partners.
Research that changes lives
The immediate goal of research at Sightsavers is to generate evidence that our programme teams can use to improve lives around the world.
Research news and blogs
Making research count: introducing the new uptake and learning team
Sightsavers’ new research uptake and learning advisors share their efforts to make sure our research makes a real difference to the lives of people across the world.
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: highlights from around the world
On 30 January, Sightsavers joined in celebrations for the first ever World NTD Day around the world.
Including people with disabilities in African political life
Our research shows that a lack of education and financial resources, social stigma and inaccessible physical infrastructure mean fewer people with disabilities are participating in politics in Africa.
Catching the mosquitoes that spread lymphatic filariasis
Sightsavers’ research, which involves testing mosquitoes for signs of the disease, can help us to ensure treatment is directed where it’s needed most.
How our research is finding new ways to fight river blindness
For more than 20 years, medication has been distributed in Cameroon to stop the spread of river blindness. Yet people are still testing positive for the disease. We wanted to know why.
It’s all about the numbers: how economics is helping us to save sight in schools
By using economics, we can make sure our school eye screening programmes are affordable and efficient, ensuring thousands of children in poorer countries can get the eye care they need.
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