By bringing together perspectives from public health, medicine, social sciences, humanities, and related disciplines, we seek to generate new knowledge on the social, cultural, political, and healthcare-related factors that shape health and wellbeing.
Particular attention is given to populations whose health needs are often overlooked, underserved, or insufficiently understood. Through equitable collaboration between African and European researchers, institutions, and communities, we aim to produce research that contributes to improved health outcomes, social inclusion, and evidence-informed policy and practice.
The cluster is currently involved in ongoing and emerging research in Ethiopia, Mauritius, Norway, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Current projects address topics such as street harassment, health literacy among key populations, migration and health, and the health and wellbeing of sexual and gender minority populations. Additional collaborative projects are under development across the consortium.
Alongside its research activities, CoRE HGS is developing an international joint master's programme in Health, Gender and Sexualities, bringing together expertise from partner universities in Africa and Europe.
Over the coming decade, CoRE HGS aims to become a leading international hub for research and training in health, gender and sexualities. Key ambitions include conducting innovative collaborative research, strengthening doctoral and postdoctoral training, establishing sustainable research networks, organising international conferences, developing joint educational programmes, and contributing to evidence-informed policy and practice at local, national, and global levels.
Aim
CoRE HGS is committed to equitable and mutually beneficial collaboration. The cluster promotes inclusive decision-making, collective capacity strengthening, transparent communication, cultural sensitivity, and the decolonisation of research partnerships and knowledge production.
By integrating theories, methods, and perspectives from public health, medicine, social sciences, and related disciplines, the cluster seeks to generate comprehensive insights into complex health challenges. Through research, training, and engagement, CoRE HGS aims to strengthen research capacity, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and contribute to reducing health inequities and improving wellbeing across diverse populations.
Leadership and Partners
CoRE HGS is co-led by the University of Oslo and the University of Pretoria. The consortium currently includes Addis Ababa University, King's College London, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, the University of Mauritius, the University of the Witwatersrand, and Uppsala University.
Background
CoRE HGS was established in 2023 as part of a joint initiative between the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities. The cluster was recognised for its academic excellence and its commitment to equitable international collaboration in research and researcher training.
As one of the Africa–Europe Clusters of Research Excellence, CoRE HGS provides a platform for long-term collaboration among researchers, students, and institutions working to advance knowledge on health, gender and sexualities across Africa and Europe.
Read more about the Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence and CoRE Initiative (the-guild.eu)
