Institute of Development Studies supporting projects finding innovative ways to adapt to our heating planet

Extreme heat events are increasing in frequency and intensity across the globe and urgent research is underway to investigate different ways to manage and limit the negative effects of heat on health, especially in communities most at risk.

12 January 2025

A women on stage behind a podium giving a speech at CHAC 2024

Wellcome has funded nine research projects focused on “Heat adaptation: evaluating interventions to help manage health effects of heat” in 11 low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2024 to 2030. The projects will test interventions to manage heat-related health risks in real world settings. Research teams seek to test and evaluate a new or existing heat adaptation interventions with the potential to change policy and/or practice in LMICs.

As part of this global effort, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is leading the HeatNexus Network Support Programme, which will accompany the nine HeatNexus research projects, supporting them as they plan and deliver their projects using a participatory and reflective approach. The IDS team will facilitate:

capacity enhancement and exchange
knowledge translation and research impact communication
research synthesis to identify coherent bodies of knowledge
cross-cohort learning
engaging policy makers and practitioners with the evidence.

Accessible, affordable, and science-backed solutions are urgently needed for those whose health is most impacted by extreme heat. These research studies hope to deliver exactly that, by focusing on low- and middle- income countries where the evidence-gaps are greatest. The researchers will be working with affected communities, testing simple interventions that aim to protect health in rising temperatures. And, if successful, will provide a blueprint for others to follow suit around the world. The Institute of Development Studies will play a crucial role in this, as it bridges research, practice, and policy to amplify real-world impact.
Dr. Modi Mwatsama, Head of Climate & Health Field Development at Wellcome

IDS has developed a nested theory of change to ensure that the research investments add up to more than the sum of their parts. Through convening a network-wide Communications and Engagement Group (CEG), we facilitate the HeatNexus teams to identify and action on opportunities to amplify methods, experiences and results of the projects in order to influence change in policies, practices and people. The team draws on extensive experience in designing integrated and interactive methods for cross-network collaboration, learning, and exchange.

The HeatNexus Network inspires problem solving. The various teams are innovating and trialling groundbreaking interventions that have the potential to impact change at multiple levels – from the individual to the system. We are excited to chart these journeys and to share the eclectic stories that are sure to emerge.
Dr. Nasreen Jessani, Head of the Knowledge, Impact and Policy Cluster and IDS lead for the HeatNexus Network

The nine HeatNexus research projects are:

Trees in croplands in alleviating heat stress in agricultural workers, led by the LEAD Foundation, Tanzania
The effects of cool roofs on health, environmental and economic outcomes: a global multi-centre study, led by the University of Auckland, New Zealand
HABVIA: Heat adaptation benefits for vulnerable groups in Africa, led by the University of Cape Town, South Africa
Co-produced, complex heat adaptation interventions to reduce heat impacts on pregnant women and newborns in Southern Africa: an intervention development and feasibility evaluation study, led by Wits Health Consortium, South Africa
Evaluating a heat-health action plan in rural Mexico to manage effects of heat, led by Instituto Nacional De Salud Publica, Mexico
Assessing the effectiveness of heat adaptation and heat reduction interventions for vulnerable population in urban and rural settings of a low- and middle- income country, led by The Aga Khan University, Pakistan
Economic and health impact assessment of heat adaptation action: case studies from India, led by the Institute of Economic Growth, India
Heat adaptation through community-based approaches and research at SEACO, led by Monash University Malaysia
Effect of housing modification on indoor thermal comfort and malaria vector densities in hot and humid zones of western and coastal Kenya, led by Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya