Zimbabwean, German, and Danish researchers meet for the first time to conduct collaborative research

Between November 3rd- 5th, 2025 qualitative researchers from the Harnessing Male Peer Networks to Enhance Engagement with HIV Prevention (“IMPERATIVE”) trial met as a team for the first time in-person.  
The aim of the IMPERATIVE trial is to encourage men in east Zimbabwe to use and deliver HIV self-tests to male peers and link them to local HIV (prevention) services. This peer-delivered service is also supported with an SMS HIV screening assessment tool, a telephone hotline, and an incentive structure for men and their peers.
The trial is currently ongoing and qualitative data including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and photovoice is being collected by qualitative researchers Rufurwokuda Maswera (Zimbabwe), Louis Chisvo (Zimbabwe), Dr. Maureen McGowan (Germany), Prof. Dr. Morten Skovdal (Denmark) and by local peer researchers Tapfuma Chibanda and Pardon Chimbandidiza.
Each team member contributes a unique perspective and role to the project. Mr. Maswera and Mr. Chisvo lead all local qualitative research activities from participant recruitment to material development, interviewing, and report writing. Dr. McGowan brings with her expertise in implementation science and qualitative data analyses. Dr. Skovdal is an expert qualitative researcher and supervises all data processes (from implementation to interpretation). Then, the qualitative work would not be possible without the support of our peer researchers: Mr. Chibanda and Mr. Chimbandidiza who interview men who have experienced the intervention. Their local knowledge of their communities, its people, and customs has provided us with highly trusted, accurate, and detailed data.

The team members have worked together virtually for over a year and were able to sit together and co-analyze data for the first time. On the first day of the workshop, Dr. Skovdal introduced collaborative analyses approaches in which the team listed all themes they identified during the qualitative process (either while interviewing or reading interviews). The main themes were then organized onto large posters to organize overarching domains and discussed as a larger team. Finally, we read interview transcripts together and continued group discussions. This approach allowed each team member to share their viewpoint at eye level and to interpret themes using both personal, local, and global viewpoints.

On day two of the workshop, Dr. Skovdal provided training to the rest of the team about conducting photovoice, an approach using photography to empower study participants to led research outcomes. The photovoice activity is planned for January and February 2026.

As a team, we hope that this in-person workshop is just the start of many to come. Together we learned from one another, shared stories and laughter. We already look forward to the next opportunity to analyze and disseminate research together.
 
Written by: Dr. Maureen McGowan