Connecting Sri Lankan Research with the World

At the Institute for Research and Development in Health and Social Care (IRD), we believe that meaningful research is strengthened through collaboration.

For nearly three decades, IRD has built a growing network of researchers, universities, professional organisations and international partners across disciplines and geographical boundaries. These collaborations bring together expertise, experience and perspectives from different parts of the world to address complex health and social challenges in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Our international partnerships support multidisciplinary research, capacity building, knowledge exchange, innovation and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.

Building Bridges Through Research

IRD’s approach to global collaboration is rooted in a simple principle: bringing the right people together to address important problems.

We work with international partners to:

• Develop and implement multidisciplinary research
• Strengthen research capacity and expertise
• Exchange knowledge, methods and technical skills
• Support early career researchers and academic development
• Engage communities and stakeholders in research
• Translate research evidence into policy and practice
• Develop sustainable research networks and partnerships
• Connect Sri Lankan research with international scientific communities

Our collaborations span areas including mental health, epidemiology, genetics, nutrition, maternal health, bioethics, disaster management, community engagement and public health.

A Global Network, Rooted in Sri Lanka

IRD’s international network includes universities, research institutions, professional organisations, global health initiatives and researchers from diverse fields.

Our work has connected Sri Lankan researchers with partners in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia and other parts of the world, creating opportunities for joint research, academic exchange, training and global knowledge sharing.

These partnerships are not simply international links. They are working relationships built around shared research priorities and a common commitment to improving health and social outcomes.

International Research Partnerships

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has been an important part of IRD’s international research network for many years. IRD has worked with leading UK universities and research organisations across areas including mental health, twin research, nutrition, bioethics, community engagement and health services research.

Current and recent collaborations include work with King’s College London, Keele University and other UK research partners.

The Colombo Twin and Singleton Study 3 (COTASS-3), for example, is a UK Medical Research Council-funded nutrition research project conducted by IRD in collaboration with King’s College London. The TRANSLATE Project brings together IRD, NIHR, Keele University and Khyber Medical University to strengthen early psychosis research and practice in Sri Lanka.

IRD has also maintained longstanding collaborations in areas such as research ethics and capacity building, including partnerships involving the Royal Veterinary College and the University Federation for Animal Welfare in the UK.

China and East Asia

IRD continues to strengthen academic and scientific connections across Asia.

Recent international engagement has included academic visits, conference participation and discussions with leading researchers and institutions in China, creating opportunities for collaboration in public health, epidemiology, genetics, twin research and other multidisciplinary areas.

These relationships provide opportunities for Sri Lankan researchers to connect with rapidly developing research networks in East Asia while creating avenues for international researchers to engage with Sri Lankan research and population data.

International Twin Research

The Sri Lankan Twin Registry has provided IRD with a unique platform for international collaboration in twin research, genetics, behavioural science and epidemiology.

Through its international research network, IRD connects Sri Lankan twin research with researchers studying genetic and environmental influences on health and human development around the world.

The hosting of the International Society for Twin Studies Congress 2025 in Sri Lanka further strengthened IRD’s role in the global twin research community and brought researchers from across the world together in Colombo.

From International Expertise to Local Impact

International collaboration is valuable only when it contributes to meaningful change.

IRD works to ensure that knowledge and expertise gained through global partnerships are translated into local research capacity, stronger health systems, improved services and evidence-informed policy.

At the same time, Sri Lanka offers an important setting for international research. Our population, communities, unique twin cohorts, research infrastructure and local expertise provide opportunities to address questions that have relevance well beyond Sri Lanka.

This creates a two-way exchange:

Global expertise → Sri Lankan research → Local impact → Global knowledge

Developing the Next Generation of Researchers

Global collaboration also creates opportunities for researchers at different stages of their careers.

Through international partnerships, IRD supports opportunities for postgraduate education, research training, academic visits, workshops, seminars, mentorship and participation in international scientific networks.

Our researchers have engaged with universities and research institutions overseas, while international academics and experts regularly contribute to IRD’s programmes, research activities and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Connecting Sri Lankan Researchers Worldwide

A central part of IRD’s vision is to connect Sri Lankan scholars, academics and professionals living anywhere in the world and bring their expertise into multidisciplinary research.

The Sri Lankan diaspora represents a valuable source of scientific knowledge, professional expertise and international connections.

IRD seeks to build bridges between Sri Lankan researchers at home and abroad, creating opportunities for collaboration that transcend geographical boundaries.

Recognised for International Collaboration

IRD’s commitment to international research collaboration has also received national recognition.

The Institute received a National Award for Science and Technology for Excellence in International Collaboration, reflecting its contribution to building meaningful international research partnerships.

Our Global Collaboration Model

Connect

Bringing together researchers, academics, professionals, institutions and communities across countries and disciplines.

Collaborate

Developing research partnerships around shared scientific and societal challenges.

Build Capacity

Creating opportunities for training, mentorship, academic exchange and professional development.

Translate

Moving knowledge from research into practice, policy and community benefit.

Sustain

Building long-term relationships that continue beyond individual projects.

Join Our Global Research Network

IRD welcomes opportunities to develop new partnerships with universities, research institutions, professional organisations, funders and researchers who share our commitment to research for development and policy impact.

Whether through joint research, capacity building, academic exchange, community engagement or knowledge translation, we believe that collaboration can help create stronger research systems and better solutions to complex health and social challenges.

Together, we can connect Sri Lankan research with the world and bring global knowledge back to Sri Lanka.

Research knows no borders. Collaboration makes its impact possible.