Our Footprint: Pioneering Research and Community Support
IRIA is an independent, non-profit research and innovation organization advancing multidisciplinary global health research and strengthening community-driven solutions across Africa. The organization generates high-quality evidence to inform policy, improve health systems, and support sustainable development outcomes.
By combining global research standards with strong local insight, IRIA delivers practical and scalable research across the full research-to-impact cycle, working with communities, academic institutions, and partners to translate evidence into real-world health impact.
Institutional Mandate and Focus
IRIA’s mandate is anchored in:
- Global and public health research
Health systems strengthening and policy analysis
Social, behavioral, and environmental determinants of health
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MEL)
Data science, implementation research, and innovation
Through this mandate, IRIA supports governments, donors, and implementing partners with credible evidence to guide strategic decisions and investments.
Our Team
IRIA is led by a multidisciplinary team of professionals with expertise in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, data analytics, monitoring and evaluation, and development practice.
Our team structure is designed to ensure:
- Technical excellence and methodological rigor
- Efficient project management and delivery
- Ethical compliance and data protection
- Continuous learning and innovation
Field researchers, analysts, and technical advisors work collaboratively to deliver research that is contextually grounded and aligned with international best practices.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides strategic oversight and technical guidance to IRIA’s leadership and research teams. Composed of senior experts from academia, health policy, development finance, and research institutions, the Board strengthens IRIA’s governance, credibility, and long-term strategic direction.
Key responsibilities of the Advisory Board include:
Advising on institutional strategy and growth
Reviewing research priorities and methodologies
Ensuring adherence to ethical and quality standards
Supporting institutional partnerships and visibility
Our Partners
IRIA’s work is built on strong, mission-aligned partnerships. We collaborate with:
Universities and academic research institutions
National and county governments
International development agencies and donors
Non-governmental and civil society organizations
Community-based organizations and local networks
These partnerships enable co-creation of knowledge, capacity strengthening, and broader dissemination of research findings to influence policy and practice.
Research Ethics, Integrity, and Quality Assurance
IRIA upholds the highest standards of research ethics, transparency, and accountability. All research activities adhere to established ethical guidelines, including informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data management.
Our quality assurance processes include:
Ethical review and approval protocols
Data validation and peer review mechanisms
Transparent reporting and documentation
Compliance with national and international research standards
Commitment to Community Engagement
Community engagement is central to IRIA’s DNA. We actively involve communities throughout the research lifecycle to ensure relevance, ownership, and sustainability of outcomes. This approach strengthens trust, improves data quality, and enhances the long-term impact of research interventions.
Contact and Engagement
IRIA maintains open channels for collaboration, partnership development, and knowledge exchange. We engage with stakeholders across sectors to advance shared goals in global health research and community development.
Location and Regional Presence
Headquarters: Kisumu County, Kenya
IRIA is headquartered in Kisumu County, a strategic hub for research and development in East Africa. Through regional partnerships and cross-border collaborations, IRIA supports research initiatives and community programs across multiple African countries, addressing transnational health and development priorities.