Page 120 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

The STAR project mentored midwives from rural district hospitals to submit abstracts to a local conference –
all were accepted for oral presentations.

Research Translation and communities. These outline areas of concern
Through Arts and Science and summarise study findings and their implications
for policy and practice in South Africa. With these,
In 2024, the unit committed to a new area of work, we share our research findings beyond the academic
HSRU's Public Engagement project. This ensures community, intending to reach decision-makers with
we are deliberate about maximising public access evidence-based practical and actionable information
to evidence through sharing research findings relevant for vulnerable adolescent girls and young
with potential impact on policy and healthcare women in South Africa.
implementation, systematically considering the
relevant audiences and channels and sharing results Our Durban team have been active in community
in plain language. This drive resulted in seven articles engagement activities. We hosted the GEN S
in newspapers, newsletters, and online publications, programme with 40 Durban high-school learners. We
social media posts, and one press release as well as used participatory adolescent-centred play methods
several radio interviews. to showcase how we study mental health and well-
being. Aga Khan media students visited, developing a
Using findings from studies evaluating programmes short video of our work shared widely on social media
for adolescent girls and young women, we produced – see Bing Videos. Linked to the CWEL+ project,
research briefs for policymakers, programme we hosted a Community Engagement Workshop –
designers and implementers, practitioners, citizens, sharing stories through video, music and dance.

Biomedical Research & Innovation Platform Unit's Annual Symposium held 16-17 Oct 2024.

118 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25