At African Institute for Research in Infectious Diseases (AIRID), research and innovation are organised through three interconnected Research Centres. Together, they generate independent, high-quality evidence to support infectious disease control, strengthen health systems, and inform policy and programme decision-making across Africa.

Each Centre brings distinct expertise while operating within a shared institutional framework of ethics, quality assurance, and scientific excellence. The Centres work collaboratively across the research lifecycle—from study design and implementation to analysis, dissemination, and policy engagement.

Our Research Centres

Centre for Vector Biology and Intervention Research

Advancing evidence for vector-borne disease control

Generates independent evidence on vector biology, surveillance, and the performance of vector control interventions through laboratory, semi-field, and field-based research, supporting effective and durable disease control strategies.

Explore the Centre

Centre for Policy, Systems and Implementation Research

Translating evidence into policy and practice

Examines how health interventions perform within real-world systems and supports evidence-informed policy, programme delivery, and sustainable scale-up through applied policy, systems, and implementation research.

Explore the Centre

Centre for Data Science, Analytics and Modelling

Advanced analytics for evidence-based decision-making

Provides analytical, statistical, and modelling expertise to support interpretation of research findings, scenario analysis, and data-driven decision-making for policymakers and programme managers.

Explore the Centre

Cross-Cutting Research Themes

Across all Research Centres and Units, AIRID integrates cross-cutting themes to ensure quality, equity, and impact. These include:

  • Ethics, safeguarding, and community protection
  • Equity, gender, and social inclusion
  • Climate and environmental health
  • Capacity strengthening and mentorship
  • Data governance and open science
  • Knowledge translation and policy engagement
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and learning

These themes are embedded throughout research design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination.

Governance of Research Activities

Each Research Centre is led by a Centre Director, with specialised Units coordinated by Unit Heads. Centres report to the Executive Director, ensuring strategic alignment, quality assurance, and accountability. This governance structure supports multidisciplinary collaboration, efficient use of resources, and high-quality research delivery across AIRID.

Research activities & domains Research projects

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay updated with AIRID research, events and insights.