CSSR Showcases Adolescent Health Research at the 9th International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR, and HIV in Gaborone, 2025

Written by: Morgan Watson, Mildred Thabeng, and Elona Toska.

The Accelerate Research Hub team, with colleagues from the Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR), University of Oxford, and Oxford Research South Africa, had a strong presence at the 9th International Workshop on Adolescence, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and HIV, held in Gaborone, Botswana in October 1-3, 2025. The workshop brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share evidence and innovative strategies aimed at improving health outcomes for adolescents and young people across Africa.

Adolescence represents a critical developmental stage, one full of bio-physical, emotional and social transitions that shape lifelong health and wellbeing. Yet, as highlighted throughout the workshop, adolescents in low- and middle-income countries continue to face disproportionate burdens of HIV, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence. The workshop underscored the urgent need for evidence-informed, multi-sectoral approaches that address the intersecting drivers of poor health outcomes, while promoting adolescents’ agency and leadership in shaping their futures.

CSSR Contributions

CSSR was represented by a large group of researchers who presented oral papers, posters, and marketplace materials, showcasing the Centre’s diverse research on adolescent health, HIV, and social development.

Dr Elona Toska headlined the workshop’s opening session, setting the tone for the event with her presentation titled “Navigating HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Era of Generation Z and Alpha.” Her presentation explored how emerging generations are redefining engagement with health information and services, and how research and programming must adapt to the realities of digital connectivity, shifting social norms and evolving identities among today’s youth.

Luciana Leite, a Policy Engagement Officer at Accelerate Research Hub, based at the University of Oxford, delivered an oral presentation titled “Evidence for Improved HIV and SRHR Outcomes among Adolescents and Young People in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Scoping Review of Social Norms Interventions.” Her work synthesised findings from 40 interventions across 12 African countries, offering valuable insights into how efforts to shift harmful social norms can improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) (Leite et al., 2025).

The review found that interventions addressing social norms, including life skills training, community dialogues, school-based SRHR education, parenting programmes, and digital media initiatives ,can effectively reduce gender-based violence, child marriage, and early pregnancy, while increasing contraceptive use and HIV prevention.

Poster Presentations CSSR’s emerging researchers also made extensive contributions to the workshop through a series of poster presentations that highlighted innovative and policy-relevant research:

• Morgan Watson presented her Master’s dissertation titled “Investigating Predictors of Willingness to Receive an HIV Vaccine in a South African Sample of Young Adults.” Her research explored the psychological and social factors influencing vaccine acceptance among young people ,a timely and important topic as the field moves toward the potential rollout of an long-acting injectables.

• Yanga Dipa presented a poster titled “Understanding School Re-Entry Policies for Pregnant and Parenting Adolescent Girls in Eastern and Southern Africa: Gaps, Barriers, and Opportunities for Action.” Her work identified critical gaps in policy implementation and highlighted opportunities to strengthen educational access and support for adolescent mothers.

• Chuma Busakhwe exhibited a poster titled “Tenuous Transitions: Exploring Diverse Challenges to Retention in Care for Adolescent and Young Mothers Living with HIV in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa.” Her research shed light on the structural and social barriers young mothers face in remaining engaged in HIV care, underscoring the need for more supportive, youth-responsive health systems.
• Mildred Thabeng represented a poster titled “It Was Difficult, but Because I Wanted to Study So I Had to Cope.” Adolescents and Young People’s Schooling Experiences in South Africa during the COVID-19 Lockdown Period.” Her study explored how members of South Africa’s Teen Advisory Groups (TAGs) navigated the challenges of continuing their education during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Drawing on interviews with young people from the Eastern and Western Cape, the research highlighted how school closures, financial strain, and caregiving responsibilities disrupted learning and placed additional pressure on adolescent parents.

Marketplace: Oxford Research South Africa (ORSA) and CSSR Collaboration

Our team also (wo)manned a stand at the afternoon marketplace, where they were able to engage with interested delegates on various materials supporting adolescent wellbeing, education, and SRHR in Eastern and Southern Africa, in partnership with UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office.

Oxford Research South Africa

Representing Oxford Research South Africa (ORSA), Lulama Sidloyi and Mildred Thabeng presented work that bridges research, advocacy, and implementation in adolescent health and wellbeing. Their joint contribution highlighted how evidence from the HEY BABY and On The Right Track initiatives is being translated into practical tools to strengthen intersectoral collaboration among organisations supporting adolescent mothers in South Africa.

At the workshop marketplace, they showcased ORSA’s collaborative toolkit and conversation cards, which were developed to help civil society organisations identify gaps, reflect on shared challenges, and improve coordination across health, education, and social support sectors. The feedback received from delegates will inform the next phase of refinement, ensuring the materials remain responsive to diverse organisational contexts across the region. You can read more about ORSA’s contributions to the workshop here.

Collectively, their participation reflected the collaborative ethos of the Accelerate Research Hub, including colleagues from the CSSR, Oxford University, and ORSA, advancing youth-centred, evidence-based approaches that connect research to real-world impact across Southern Africa.

Beyond sharing findings, CSSR members built meaningful connections with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across the region, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and exchange. We look forward to the next one!.