Schoolchildren in Kathmandu, Nepal (photo taken by Anthonia James, COMDIS HSD Manager, May 2011)
For over 30 years, the Nuffield Centre at the University of Leeds has been generating new knowledge in areas that have a direct or indirect impact on the health of communities in lower-income countries. Nuffield has a strong pro-equity base and its fundamental mission is to work towards the development of health systems institutional capacity, especially in the public sector.
Much of the research is of an applied nature and its value is assessed in terms of its contribution to changes in policy and practice. The Centre’s research is rated highly by our academic peers (the Nuffield Institute for Health was rated 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise); is perceived to be of value by health policy-makers, managers and practitioners; and aims to be accessible to local communities.
The Nuffield Centre undertakes research on different health-related topics, organised around four themes:
- Health systems
- Communicable diseases
- Non-Communicable diseases
- Reproductive health
As shown by our current and recently completed research projects, Nuffield works with government, non-governmental and academic partners, particularly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Through publications and other means of knowledge transfer, we aim to ensure research findings are used to improve health policy making and practice in these countries, and by regional and international development agencies.
Child in Nepal, living and working in slum conditions. Photo taken by Anthonia James, COMDIS Administrator, May 2011