Evidence for places the data forgets.
OTHERwise Research is a social enterprise conducting research, evaluation, and strategic advisory in fragile and data-scarce contexts — partnering with governments, international organisations, civil society, and communities to generate evidence that informs action.
A hub of researchers and storytellers.
We are a hub of researchers and storytellers, innovators and collaborators, creative problem solvers and practitioners. Our team is as diverse and inclusive as the communities we serve.
Together, we are OTHERwise: a social enterprise that conducts research, evaluates programs, and delivers strategic advisory services in fragile and data-scarce contexts. Our work strengthens local capacity and amplifies community voices to advance equitable and sustainable progress worldwide.
We help clients make better decisions by grounding evidence in the realities of the people they serve.
We work where systems are strained, data is scarce, and lived experience matters most — bringing together field-rooted research and cross-disciplinary insight. Whether shaping strategy, designing programs, or informing policy, we deliver evidence that is rigorous, responsible, and radically useful in humanitarian and development contexts.
But that’s only part of what we do. We nurture the next generation of researchers — building critical skills and providing knowledge workers the means to make a living, in places where research is too often extractive and transactional. We invest in bridging digital and knowledge divides between global South and North, so evidence isn’t just gathered, but co-created, diffused, and acted on.
“Our work doesn’t stop at the final report.”
Knowledge as a global public good.
We envision a future where inclusive, ethical, and accountable research drives decision-making that truly serves both people and the planet — working at the intersection of science and community.
- — Integrate scientific and locally rooted knowledge systems
- — Advance research inquiry for social change
- — Redistribute knowledge equitably
- — Empower communities to shape decisions that affect their lives
A difference — however incremental — through research grounded in care.
Care for data integrity, our team’s wellbeing, and the communities we serve. We commit to:
- 1. Creating a supportive research environment where our teams can thrive.
- 2. Democratizing knowledge by equipping underserved communities with tools to generate and use evidence.
- 3. Partnering across sectors to inform development through grounded, actionable insight.
The five C’s that hold our work together.
Candor & Clarity
We communicate openly and honestly, even when issues are complex or challenging. We prioritize clarity in our findings so decision-makers can act with confidence.
Care & Collaboration
We cultivate trust with our partners and participants through empathy, humility, and deep respect for lived experience. Collaboration — across disciplines, borders, and perspectives — is at the heart of our practice.
Competence & Conscientiousness
We never stop learning. Our teams combine academic rigor with operational agility, delivering research that is methodologically sound and ethically grounded.
Creativity & Curiosity
We approach problems with curiosity and creativity, pushing the boundaries of conventional research to design adaptive, locally relevant solutions.
Courage & Consistency
We uphold the highest standards in evidence generation, even under pressure. From insecure settings to politically sensitive topics, we conduct our work with integrity and resilience.
We are a social enterprise.
Each year, we reinvest a portion of our profits directly into initiatives aligned with our mission to strengthen locally-grounded knowledge systems.
For 2025–26, our focus is education in South Sudan
We commit to going beyond research: investing in local initiatives that expand access, strengthen learning environments, and support communities to shape their own educational futures.
Rooted in South Sudan, working across fragile contexts worldwide.
Headquartered in South Sudan, with offices in Sweden, Uganda, and Greece — and field deployments across South Sudan and DR Congo, plus project partnerships spanning Asia-Pacific, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East & North Africa.
Trusted by 100+ partners worldwide.
What our partners say about working with us.
Despite difficult conditions — security risks, logistical hurdles, and shifting dynamics — OTHERwise showed adaptability, clarity of focus, and a high level of professionalism. The final report is already shaping our strategic programming.World Vision
Relief, Recovery & Resilience: Nexus Programming, Northern Bahr el Ghazal
The team was professional, detail-oriented, and showed strong contextual awareness. Research design was inclusive and prioritized community voices, especially marginalised groups.Solidarités International
Community Resilience & Non-Violent Conflict Management, Upper Nile
OTHERwise applied a multi-method qualitative approach across nine countries, delivering a comprehensive report rife with actionable insights that will directly inform our preparedness strategies.IFRC
Final evaluation of the ‘Red Ready’ programme, Asia-Pacific