Who we are, and why our research matters.
ISDR is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political research organization established to generate credible, impartial and evidence-based knowledge that contributes to better decisions and meaningful real-world impact.
A research institute built around evidence.
The Institute for Social Dynamics and Research (ISDR) is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political research organization committed to credible, impartial and evidence-based research.
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Mogadishu, Somalia, the Institute for Social Dynamics and Research (ISDR) was established to address the need for credible, impartial and evidence-based research in Somalia.
ISDR is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political research organization with an expanding network of research associates across East Africa, the Horn of Africa and beyond.
The Institute conducts rigorous research that empowers policymakers, organizations and communities with actionable knowledge to make informed and responsible decisions.
ISDR recognizes that sustainable societal progress depends on reliable evidence and that complex social, health, political, environmental and humanitarian challenges require impartial and methodologically sound research.
Through innovative approaches and ethical rigor, ISDR seeks to bridge research findings and real-world impact.
Established to address the need for credible and impartial research in Somalia.
Regional research associates across East Africa, the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Research grounded in rigorous inquiry, ethical standards and actionable knowledge.
Generate evidence that informs action.
To generate high-quality, methodologically robust, and unbiased research that informs policy, strengthens governance, and fosters societal development.
ISDR seeks to provide evidence-based solutions to social, economic, political, environmental, and humanitarian challenges while contributing to resilience, well-being, and improved ecosystems.
A trusted global knowledge hub.
To be globally recognized as a world-class research institute that shapes evidence-driven policies and strategies.
ISDR aspires to be a trusted knowledge hub for governments, civil society, academia, and international bodies, contributing to climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development.
The objectives of the Institute are to:
Guide interdisciplinary research, strengthen evidence-based decision-making, build research capacity, and contribute to sustainable and resilient communities.
Conduct interdisciplinary research
Undertake interdisciplinary research in social, economic, environmental, political, technological, and humanitarian fields.
Promote evidence-based policies
Promote evidence-based policies and practices for governments, civil society, and development partners.
Build research capacity
Provide capacity building, training, and mentorship for young researchers and professionals.
Advance knowledge exchange
Serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and innovation among researchers, institutions, and communities.
Publish knowledge products
Publish research findings, policy briefs, and other knowledge products that contribute to public understanding and informed action.
Strengthen collaboration
Collaborate with academic, governmental, and international institutions to strengthen research quality and impact.
Uphold ethical standards and inclusion
Promote ethical research standards and inclusive approaches, with particular attention to marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Strengthen sector knowledge
Provide training and evidence generation in health, nutrition, WASH, food security and livelihoods, climate change, and disaster risk reduction.
Support education and curriculum development
Deliver high-quality education and training initiatives and contribute to evidence-based curriculum development.
Principles that guide our work.
ISDR's research is guided by principles of integrity, rigor, objectivity, impact, innovation and sustainability.
Integrity
Conducting research with honesty, transparency and accountability.
Rigor
Employing scientifically validated methodologies that support reliability and reproducibility.
Objectivity
Maintaining impartiality and allowing evidence to guide conclusions.
Impact
Focusing research on practical outcomes that can contribute to meaningful change.
Innovation
Embracing new approaches, ideas and technologies to strengthen research.
Sustainability
Supporting approaches that contribute to resilient communities and sustainable development.
Research we can stand behind.
ISDR adheres to scientific and ethical standards designed to protect research participants and strengthen the credibility of its findings.
ISDR's research adheres to high ethical and scientific standards through:
- Use of validated methodologies and rigorous sampling techniques.
- Transparent, peer-reviewed processes designed to strengthen credibility and accuracy.
- Strict compliance with ethical standards for human subjects, including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality.
- Continuous capacity building to maintain research excellence and foster innovation.
- Appropriate and practical sampling techniques suited to research objectives and context.
These principles help ensure that research findings are credible, responsible and useful to the people and institutions that rely on them.
Research designed to matter.
Trusted Evidence
Fact-based research that can inform local, national and global decision-making.
Bridging Evidence Gaps
Connecting myths, assumptions and misinformation with evidence-based policy.
Collaborative
Working with governments, resilience builders, civil society and academia.
Actionable Insight
Producing knowledge that can guide development, humanitarian, environmental and governance strategies.
- Trusted, fact-based research that informs local, national and global decision-making.
- Bridging gaps between myths, assumptions and evidence-based policies.
- Engaging governments, resilience builders, civil society and academic institutions to maximize research impact.
- Producing actionable insights that guide development, humanitarian, environmental and governance strategies.
ISDR's approach is grounded in credible evidence, methodological rigor, ethical research and a commitment to translating knowledge into meaningful impact.
Discover the work behind the evidence.
Explore ISDR's research, publications and multidisciplinary expertise.
Explore our research →