Harriet Birungi

Posted on by William Mawia

Harriet Birungi

Senior Research Associate

ABOUT Harriet Birungi

Birungi is spearheading an impactful research program centered on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in humanitarian contexts in Africa. She provides ongoing essential technical and strategic guidance while actively building partnerships with researchers, governments, funders, and other strategic partners. Birungi’s dedication is vital for advancing SRHR and well-being in challenging environments.

She is a medical anthropologist with a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies (Regional Development and Planning) from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague (now the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam), the Netherlands, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Makerere University, Uganda. For two decades, Birungi has been a passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally, making her a prominent figure in this crucial field.

As a dynamic international research leader, she served as the Country Director and Regional Representative for the Population Council Office in Kenya before becoming the Vice President for the Population Council’s International Programs. In these pivotal roles, she spearheaded transformative projects that generated organizational and programmatic solutions while publishing extensively on SRHR and gender equity. Birungi has also served as a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group of the World Health Organization’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research. Currently, she is a supervisory board member at AIDSfonds, the Netherlands.

Birungi has nurtured the next generation of research leaders in numerous countries.  She led a remarkable team of African women research leaders who conceptualized and directed the FCDO-funded Baobab Research Program Consortium (RPC), which addresses crucial evidence gaps related to SRHR in refugee contexts in East and Horn Africa. She has expertly guided complex multi-country and multi-partner research initiatives and has extensive country experience covering Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Senegal. Birungi’s work significantly impacts SRHR research ecosystems, particularly in Africa.

She is committed to finding the most effective ways to use research to improve African lives. A primary focus of her work is empowering women to take control of their health and well-being while ensuring that new biomedical technologies and solutions are accessible to enhance their lives. Additionally, she is passionate about contributing to the growth of African research organizations, supporting Africa-led research agendas, and building the next generations of researchers. She aims to shape research priorities that reflect Africa’s unique needs and aspirations. And together, she firmly believes we can make a meaningful impact!