RESEARCH PROJECTS
Work we have done — and the partners we have done it with
The projects below reflect work carried out by our researchers across Southern Africa.
They span multiple countries, sectors, and themes — from labour market studies and OSH assessments to disability inclusion, gender equality, and climate justice.
Each project was commissioned by a client or partner organisation, and many have directly shaped national policy, programme design, or field practice.
Consultant
Theme
Showing 60 projects
Occupational Safety & Health 2025
National OSH Programme Review & Development
Led the review of Malawi's expired National OSH Programme (2011–2016) and developed the new National OSH Programme for 2026–2030. Involved stakeholder consultations, gap analysis, and policy recommendations to improve worker safety across all sectors.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2023
Labour Influx Assessment — Mpatamanga Hydropower Project
Assessed socio-economic risks of labour influx ahead of construction of one of Malawi's largest hydropower plants along the Shire River. Examined gender equality, community relations, and decent work as part of a broader Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.
Occupational Safety & Health 2025
Risks of Long Working Hours at Farming Engineering Services
Assessed OSH risks linked to long working hours for workers at FES operations across three countries. Produced recommendations for improved working time policies and worker health protections.
Public Health & Health Systems 2020–2023
Occupational Stress & Burnout Among Clinical Officers
Doctoral-level study examining the causes, nature, and consequences of occupational stress and burnout among clinical officers at public hospitals in Malawi. Findings published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences in the USA and South Africa.
Public Health & Health Systems 2021–2023
Social Dialogue & Working Conditions for Community Health Workers
Researched working conditions of community health workers in Malawi and explored how social dialogue can improve those conditions. Produced a policy brief and a training manual for the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2022
Trade Unions in Transition — Future of Work in Southern Africa
Comparative study on how trade unions across Africa and other regions are adapting to digitalisation, platform labour, and declining traditional industrial employment. Produced a trade union revitalisation manual published by the ILO.
Disability Inclusion 2022–2023
Impact of COVID-19 on Persons with Disabilities in Southern Africa
Regional study assessing how the COVID-19 pandemic affected persons with disabilities across Southern Africa — examining access to health services, economic impacts, and the adequacy of government responses from a disability rights perspective.
Disability Inclusion 2022–2023
Promotion of Disability Rights Among Faith-Based Organisations
Researched and developed resources to promote disability inclusion within faith-based organisations across Southern Africa. Also evaluated a mobilisation campaign on disability rights in Africa commissioned by Atlas Alliance (Norway).
Climate Change & Just Transition 2021–2022
Just Transition & Climate Justice Training Programme
Designed and led a training programme on just transition and climate justice for trade union leaders and civil society activists across three Malawian cities. Included a participatory game-based learning component developed for EQUINET.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2021
Policy Brief — Workers' Organisations and Productivity Improvement
Developed a policy brief examining the link between workers' organisations, collective bargaining, and workplace productivity. Used to inform ILO guidance for member states on supporting trade union engagement in productivity frameworks.
Public Health & Health Systems 2023–2024
Absenteeism & Organisational Commitment Among Nurses and Rehab Therapists
Led research exploring absenteeism, work behaviours, and organisational commitment among nurses and rehabilitation therapists at an academic hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
Climate Change & Just Transition 2024–2025
Decarbonisation & Structural Transformation
Ongoing study examining how decarbonisation affects employment, equity, and livelihoods across three African countries. Explores trade-offs between environmental sustainability, economic growth, and decent work in the context of hydroelectric power development.
Informal Economy 2012
Informal Traders and Collective Bargaining in Malawi
Examined how informal traders in Malawi organise and engage in collective bargaining, and what barriers prevent effective worker representation in the informal sector. Contributed to StreetNet International's regional advocacy work.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2024–2025
Evaluation of Rebuilding Unions in Food Processing & Hospitality
Evaluated a project aimed at rebuilding trade unions and improving workers' rights in the food processing and hospitality sectors in Malawi, assessing sustainability, outreach impact, and membership growth outcomes.
Gender Equality 2024
Health Sector Response to GBV and Sexual Reproductive Health
Evaluating the health sector's response to gender-based violence and sexual reproductive health programmes across Commonwealth and selected African countries. Ongoing consultancy contributing to regional policy recommendations.
Platform & Future of Work 2023
Gig Work and Digital Control in a Small South African City
Examined working conditions and digital control mechanisms experienced by food delivery gig workers in Kimberley. Research, published in Work in the Global Economy, revealed how platform algorithms shape worker agency and income. Part of a broader MIT/SPU-funded programme.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2019
Working Conditions in Lesotho Garment Factories
Assessed labour conditions, worker rights, and compliance with international labour standards in Lesotho's garment manufacturing sector — a key export industry with a predominantly female workforce.
Platform & Future of Work 2017–2018
ILO Future of Work — South Africa Country Case Study
Produced a country-level analysis of the future of work for South Africa as part of the ILO's Centenary Initiative on the Future of Work. Examined digitalisation, inequality, and the changing nature of employment for the ILO's international reporting.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2018
Trade Union Power Along Transport Corridors
Investigated how trade unions can build power and stakeholder relations along the Maputo and Trans-Kalahari transport corridors and value chains, linking labour rights advocacy to regional economic integration.
Informal Economy 2016
Rise of the Informal Economy and Income Inequality in Zimbabwe
Analysed the growth of Zimbabwe's informal economy, its structural drivers, and implications for income inequality and worker rights. Produced findings for the FES and published in the South African Labour Bulletin.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2022
Marikana: A Decade On — Waiting for Justice
Comprehensive assessment of continuities and discontinuities in conditions and justice at the Marikana platinum mine, ten years after the 2012 massacre. Produced for BSFA and widely cited in South African labour and policy circles.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2022
Farmworkers and the Right of Association in South Africa
Investigated the rights and challenges of farmworkers in South Africa to organise and associate through trade unions, with a focus on structural barriers in the agricultural sector. Produced for the IUF (Global Union Federation).
Labour Migration & Social Protection 2017
Labour Migration Policy Framework for SADC
Led research to develop a cohesive and transformative Labour Migration Policy Framework for the SADC region — covering fair recruitment, portability of social security benefits, and the rights of migrant workers. A landmark regional policy document.
Informal Economy 2021–2022
National Formalisation Strategy for Zimbabwe
Led research on the state of informality in Zimbabwe and contributed to developing a National Formalisation Strategy. Covered policy gaps, worker perspectives, and pathways for transitioning informal workers to formal employment.
Labour Migration & Social Protection 2021
Impact of AfCFTA on Decent Work and Labour Migration in SADC
Assessed the potential impacts of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area on decent work, labour migration, and employment creation across the SADC region. Provided policy recommendations for trade unions and governments navigating the new trade architecture.
Informal Economy 2021
Decent Work in Zimbabwe's Special Economic Zones
Assessed decent work conditions for workers in Zimbabwe's Special Economic Zones, examining labour rights, social protection coverage, and compliance with national and international labour standards in these export-oriented enclaves.
Labour Migration & Social Protection 2018
State of Social Protection for Workers in Zimbabwe's Informal Economy
Examined gaps in social protection coverage for informal workers in Zimbabwe — barriers to access, inadequacies in existing schemes, and strategies for extending social protection floors to the most vulnerable workers.
Gender Equality 2018
Women at Work in Zimbabwe's Horticulture Sector
Researched the working conditions, rights, and experiences of women in Zimbabwe's horticulture sector. Contributed to advocacy for improved labour standards and gender-responsive workplace policies in high-value agricultural export chains.
Climate Change & Just Transition 2022–2023
Trade Union Policies on Climate Change and Just Transition
Produced a regional situational analysis on addressing climate change and promoting just transition in Southern Africa's world of work. Developed regional trade union climate change and just transition policy frameworks and examined the role of trade unions in implementing Nationally Determined Contributions.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2007
Zimbabwe National Employment Policy Framework
Contributed to the development of Zimbabwe's National Employment Policy Framework — a comprehensive national document setting out government, employer, and worker obligations to promote decent work, full employment, and rights at work.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2020
Southern African Economic Outlook 2020
Contributed to the annual Southern African Economic Outlook report, examining regional economic trends, labour market developments, and macroeconomic policy impacts on workers across SADC member states.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2015
Working Without Pay: Wage Theft in Zimbabwe
Investigated the extent, causes, and consequences of wage theft in Zimbabwe — including withheld wages, unpaid overtime, and illegal deductions — and made recommendations for enforcement reform and worker education.
Labour Migration & Social Protection 2022
Review of Public Employment Services and Fair Recruitment in SADC
Reviewed the legal and policy frameworks governing public employment services and private employment agencies across the SADC region, with a focus on fair recruitment practices and migrant worker protections.
Public Health & Health Systems 2026–Present
National Biodiversity M&E Dashboard
Leading the design and development of a national Monitoring & Evaluation dashboard to track biodiversity indicators and conservation performance across Malawi. Integrating species, forest cover, and protected areas datasets into a centralised digital platform aligned with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Gender Equality 2024
Feminist Policy Research — Valuing Women's Work
Designed and led evaluation of feminist policy research under ActionAid's Valuing Women's Work Programme in Lilongwe and Mchinji. Used mixed methods including quantitative analysis (STATA/Python) and qualitative thematic methods to assess impact on women's economic empowerment.
Public Health & Health Systems 2024
End-of-Project Evaluation — Respectful Maternity Care
Designed the M&E framework, developed field data collection tools on Kobo, trained research assistants, and led quantitative and qualitative data analysis for the evaluation of RMC interventions across health facilities in Southern Africa.
Public Health & Health Systems 2021–2024
EMPOWER Project M&E — Machinga & Zomba Districts
Designed daily outreach data collection and tracking tools for two implementation districts, conducted impact evaluations and performance assessments, and led development of data tracking tools for COVID-19 interventions within the EMPOWER health programme.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2023
Labour Influx Assessment — Mpatamanga Hydropower (Research Coordination)
Served as Research Coordinator for the World Bank-funded labour influx assessment at Mpatamanga Gorge. Designed and deployed FGD and interview checklists, developed the risk assessment matrix, and built the M&E framework for this major infrastructure project.
Gender Equality 2023–Present
Access to Justice for Survivors of Violence Against Women
Research on the status of access to justice, response, and service delivery for victims and survivors of violence against women and girls in Malawi. Developed instruments, led data analysis, and contributed to reports for policy and programme decision-making.
Gender Equality 2023–Present
Gender Audit for Malawi Police Service
Led the data analysis component of a gender audit for the Malawi Police Service to inform the development of an institutional gender policy. The study examined gender balance, workplace practices, and structural barriers within the police service.
Gender Equality 2023–Present
Social Protection Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines
Contributed to developing social protection gender mainstreaming guidelines and a training manual for Malawi's Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs — Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Division. Focused on integrating gender equity into national social protection programming.
Occupational Safety & Health 2025
National OSH Programme & FES Labour Assessment (Data Lead)
Served as associate consultant and lead data analyst on two parallel OSH studies: Malawi's National OSH Programme development and the Farming Engineering Services labour assessment across Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. Led all quantitative analysis and data visualisation outputs.
Disability Inclusion 2026
Disability Inclusion in HIV & NCD Services — DREAM Programme
Designed and delivered training for programme staff on disability inclusion within HIV and NCD service delivery. Built staff capacity on identifying clients with disabilities, providing reasonable accommodation, and establishing inclusive referral pathways. Improved access and treatment adherence for clients with disabilities.
Disability Inclusion 2015–2019
Disability Needs Assessments and Capacity Building — FEEC
Conducted needs assessments for children with disabilities to inform programme design. Facilitated capacity-building sessions for Health Surveillance Assistants and community workers on early identification of childhood disabilities. Led community engagement initiatives with traditional leaders and mobilised funding for assistive devices.
Disability Inclusion 2017
Health System Responsiveness to Vulnerable Children with Disabilities
Survey research examining how responsive Malawi's health system is to the needs of vulnerable children with disabilities — identifying gaps in service access, referral pathways, and the adequacy of rehabilitation support at community and facility level.
Disability Inclusion 2023
Chiefs' Perspectives on the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities
Postgraduate research examining how traditional leaders in Malawi perceive and support the inclusion of children with disabilities in community development activities. Findings presented at the KUHeS Research Dissemination Conference in October 2024 and published by the University of Cape Town.
Disability Inclusion 2019–Present
Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Working Life in Zambia
Contributed to a study examining the rights of persons with disabilities in Zambia's world of work — covering employment access, workplace accommodations, discrimination, and legislative gaps. Part of ZILARD's ongoing labour rights research programme.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2019–Present
Chinese Investment and Working Conditions in Zambia
Investigated the labour practices, working conditions, and worker rights at Chinese-owned enterprises in Zambia — examining wage levels, contract terms, safety standards, and the treatment of local versus expatriate workers.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2019–Present
Workers' Rights on China's Belt and Road Initiative in Zambia
Examined how workers in Zambia employed on Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure projects fare in terms of rights, wages, and safety. Assessed the gaps between BRI labour standards commitments and on-the-ground realities for Zambian workers.
Informal Economy 2019–Present
Organising Workers in Rural Economy and Sugar Plantations in Zambia
Studied the challenges and strategies for organising workers in Zambia's rural economy, with a focus on sugar plantation workers. Examined barriers to collective action, union density, and what effective organising looks like in the plantation sector.
Labour & Industrial Relations 2011–Present
Communications and International Relations — OTM-CS Mozambique
Served as Communication Officer and Head of International Relations at the Mozambican Labour Organisation (OTM-CS). Managed communications strategy, represented the organisation at regional and international trade union forums, and served as Portuguese-English translator for SATUCC across Southern Africa.
Labour Migration & Social Protection 2019
Decent Work for Migrant Workers — Mozambique
Contributed to ILO-led work on promoting decent work standards for migrant workers in Mozambique, including engagement with policy makers, trade unions, and civil society on migration governance, fair recruitment, and worker protections.
Informal Economy 2018
Extension of Social Protection to the Informal Economy — Mozambique
Engaged with ILO-supported work on extending social protection floors to informal economy workers in Mozambique, contributing to training delivery and policy development on the transition from informal to formal employment.
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