FUNDED PROJECTS
SRHR-LEP
The Virtual Exchange offers an interdisciplinary exploration of ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Linking evidence to policy’, consisting of seven thematic modules that combine advanced knowledge, reflective attitude, and practical skills.
Category: Incubator Grant
University:
Ghent University, Uppsala University
Period:
2025-2027
The Virtual Exchange offers an interdisciplinary exploration of ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Linking evidence to policy’, consisting of seven thematic modules that combine advanced knowledge, reflective attitude, and practical skills. Topics include the definition of SRHR, political and environmental challenges to SRHR, and evidence-based SRHR policymaking. The course blends self-paced learning with interactive online seminars, panel discussions, stakeholder simulation games, workshops and assignments. The course addresses key gaps in current SRHR education by moving beyond medical and public health perspectives that often overlook sensitive and politicised SRHR topics due to cultural taboos and institutional barriers, and including real-world applications. This multidisciplinary, practiceoriented course strengthens skills in evidence-informed policymaking, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking.
Personal highlight:
This proposal centers on creating an innovative, participatory learning environment that redefines how SRHR is taught. The approach combines flipped classroom methods with experiential activities such as stakeholder simulation games, virtual roundtables with policymakers and civil society actors, and problem-based learning on sensitive issues like abortion law reform and contraceptive access. These elements go beyond traditional teaching by immersing students in real-world power dynamics and negotiation processes, fostering critical thinking and strategic decision-making. The integration of diverse perspectives and interactive formats represents a significant innovation in SRHR education, aiming to build skills that are directly applicable to complex policy challenges.
Participants and Stakeholders
- Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Olivier Degomme, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University
- Other Partner Institutions: Uppsala University
- Team Composition (Include key personnel, their roles)
Ghent University: Walaa Ammar-Shehada, Emilie Peeters
Uppsala University: Mats Målqvist, Elin C. Larsson
Objectives
By the end of the course, students will demonstrate competencies in all three learning domains: 1) Knowledge: Provide an interdisciplinary understanding of SRHR frameworks, concepts, and global trends, 2) Attitude: Foster ethical reflection, openness to diverse perspectives, and a commitment to equity and justice, and 3) Skills: Develop abilities in evidence analysis, stakeholder mapping and engagement, and policy translation.
The virtual exchange aims to equip participants with advanced analytical and practical skills in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Learners will evaluate SRHR concepts and frameworks and understand their variations across diverse contexts. They will critically examine political dynamics and their implications for SRHR outcomes, while analyzing the role of evidence in policy processes and decision-making. Participants will learn to characterize stakeholder perspectives, demonstrate negotiation skills, and engage with expert viewpoints through high-level panel discussions. Furthermore, they will apply research evidence to complex, context-sensitive policy challenges and synthesize their insights into a well-reasoned, evidence-based SRHR policy brief.
Contact
Emilie Peeters:
Additional information
This virtual exchange stands out for its broad integration across programs and institutions, targeting master’s students from Ghent University, Uppsala University, ENLIGHT partners, and beyond, while embedding materials into existing curricula such as the MSc in Global Health in both institutions and the ANSER Summer School. To ensure long-term sustainability, the course will be adapted for professionals and for doctoral students training ensuring flexibility, scalability, and impact across academic and professional domains.