Our research

High-quality research is critical to help us deliver our strategy and programmes in the countries where we work.

Sightsavers conducts research in eye health, neglected tropical diseases, education and social inclusion.

The main aim of our research is to generate evidence that our programme teams can use to continue improving lives in Africa and Asia.

Our in-house research team is comprised of more than 30 people based around the world, with skills ranging from epidemiology and economics to community-based participatory research. Our research activities also involve many more people across the organisation.

Collaboration with a broad range of research partners and funders is key to developing research capacity both within Sightsavers and among our partners, and we continue to strive to extend our networks in the countries where we work.

In 2017, Sightsavers was awarded Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status, making us one of the only international non-governmental organisations to hold this status in the UK.

Watch the video below to find out what makes our research unique.

Kareen Atekem is shown in a yellow Sightsavers top standing outside next to a Sightsavers vehicle.

Our research centre

Our research website showcases Sightsavers’ research studies along with peer-reviewed journal articles and evidence gap maps.

Our research website

Key objectives in our strategy

Generate evidence

Conduct high quality research in response to global knowledge gaps and the needs of our projects.

Inform programmes

Maintain effective knowledge systems to integrate learning in our projects and influencing.

Share new findings

Ensure effective communication of our research findings through various channels.

Keep innovating and developing

Use digital technology to improve the way we collect, analyse and communicate research evidence.

Explore our research studies and publications

Visit the research website

Our latest research news

Minahil, who wears spectacles, smiles broadly as she sits at her classroom desk.

Sightsavers at the CIES education conference 2025

We attended the conference in Chicago on 22-26 March to share Sightsavers’ expertise, engage with the education community and explore how we can help to transform inclusive education.

March 2025
Portrait pictures of Sightsavers' researchers.
Sightsavers blog

Making schools safer for children with disabilities

Dr Steven Kaindaneh and Dr Julia de Kadt explain how our new research puts children with disabilities at the centre of efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Sightsavers, December 2024
Sightsavers researcher Martins smiles as he stands in the middle of a road. He's wearing a Sightsavers t-shirt that reads 'Protect. Defend. Promote. Disability rights.'

Sightsavers researcher awarded prestigious fellowship

The Injaz fellowship will support Martins Imhansoloeva's research and PhD project on river blindness, a common infectious cause of sight loss.

September 2024