Who We Are
We provide high quality qualitative research & training
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What We Do: We deliver high-quality research training and consultancy for NGOs, Government, and Businesses in Sierra Leone.
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Our Team: Local and international experts in gender, health, education, livelihoods, and governance.
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Our Vision: The IfD vision is a high-capacity research and development sector in Sierra Leone.
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Our Mission: To support decision makers to understand what works.
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Beyond the bridge
The field of knowledge brokering is rapidly evolving, moving far past the simple idea of connecting two disparate worlds. As an emerging and hybrid practice, understanding the core theories and concepts behind knowledge brokering is crucial for anyone working in research utilization, policy development, or healthcare. Often, when people try to depict knowledge brokering, they use metaphors linked to bridges, seeing the…
Read MoreDid It Work? Using Interrupted Time Series to Evaluate Health System Change
On a Tuesday in March 2025, Maternal and Child Health Aide, Nancy Koroma, opened the family planning register at Bunumbu Community Health Centre and blinked in surprise: adolescent family‑planning visits had doubled since the facility’s upgrade in infrastructure and medical supplies and a friendlier approach in service delivery in 2024. Family planning services are a cornerstone of women’s health, helping individuals…
Read MoreThe Power of Observation in Early Childhood Development Research
Observation is a powerful tool in early childhood development (ECD) research, especially in hard-to-reach (HTR) communities where formal schooling may be absent. By observing children’s activities and interactions, researchers gain an unfiltered view of how young minds grow and learn in their environments. This firsthand perspective is invaluable, as it allows researchers to document children’s development without the lens of…
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Religious leaders’ nuanced views on birth spacing and contraceptives in Sierra Leone-qualitative insights
Struggles to implement Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and sub-optimal family planning programs has led to high adolescent pregnancy rates in Sierra Leone. The role of religious leaders in influencing community attitudes and shaping public health outcomes cannot be overstated. A qualitative study led by Institute for Development (IfD) in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Sierra Leone and the…
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