Foundations of success: driving change through successful research collaborations. Learning Brief.

Translating disability-inclusive WASH policies into practice: lessons learned from Cambodia and Bangladesh was a two-year disability-inclusive research study. It was a collaborative study led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in partnership with WaterAid and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Cambodia and Bangladesh. The research aimed to develop evidence-based guidance for governments in low-and middle-income countries about implementing inclusive water, sanitation, and hygiene at scale. The LSHTM Principal Investigator originally planned to visit each country to guide and mentor the research teams to gather qualitative data in person. The research design changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdowns. Instead, the Principal Investigator supported the team from the UK and data was collected remotely. In Cambodia, the Principal Investigator and the research team collaboratively analysed, documented, and disseminated the study. A range of publications was produced, including academic journal articles, accessible briefing notes summarising these, and blogs. Study findings were communicated through virtual and face-to-face workshops, including with people with disabilities and their caregivers who participated in the study. Cambodian actors with disabilities performed key findings and recommendations at the start of workshops to bring the study to life. Recommendations were co-developed with external stakeholders. This Learning Brief documents the process the Principal Investigator followed to remotely support and mentor the research team in Cambodia. The Brief captures the strengths and limitations of approaches and learning gained. It includes recommendations for organisations that remotely support non-academics to conduct ethical research in low-and middle-income countries.