Led by Co-Director of the Humanitarian Collaborative Lucy Bassett and Practitioner Fellow Charles Bradley, students Gabi Bartlett (MPP) and Grace Shawah (MPP) have spent the summer advancing participatory research that centers the voices of marginalized groups—particularly children and refugees. Partnering with international organizations such as Amna (a refugee-founded and led NGO in the Middle East), UNICEF Innocenti, and The Brookings Institution, the team has contributed to evaluations, proposals, and guidance on inclusive and ethical practices.

In collaboration with Amna, the team conducted a qualitative evaluation of a program training local NGOs in Lebanon and Jordan to deliver mental health and psychosocial support. Through coding refugee interviews, identifying themes, and authoring an evaluation report, their work culminated in a blog post shared widely on World Refugee Day. The team is also developing several think pieces, including one exploring alternative modes of participation for marginalized girls, and another examining how the concept of “well-being” is translated in Arabic-speaking communities. These projects have connected the students with leading voices across academia, journalism, and mental health, offering a deep, hands-on learning experience at the intersection of research and humanitarian practice.