Youth Researchers Academy trains six young women in ethical and practical research

From 19 to 23 May 2025, THRU ZIM, in partnership with the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), hosted the 2025 Youth Researchers Academy (YRA) in Harare. This intensive week-long programme brought together six young women—CAMFED associates from Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

Over the course of the week, participants were introduced to the full research cycle—from formulating relevant questions to collecting, analysing, and communicating findings. Sessions combined both quantitative and qualitative methods with hands-on exercises in research ethics and storytelling for public engagement.

YRA is grounded in the belief that young people must be equal partners in research—especially when the topics under study, such as livelihoods and health, affect them most. With Sub-Saharan Africa’s youth population expected to grow until at least 2040, initiatives like YRA play a critical role in ensuring that youth voices are meaningfully included in research and decision- making.

Following the training, participants will apply their skills while conducting research for the CAMFED Livelihoods Research Project in Zimbabwe and Tanzania.