Between 2019 and mid-2022, Sonar-Global developed a global network of over 800 individual members and regional networks around the world, 3 active regional hubs (based in Senegal, Thailand, Ukraine), 2 thematic hubs (social sciences of tuberculosis in India and social sciences of viral hepatitis in Vietnam), and a dynamic web-based platform that offers users our tools and trainings, webinars and podcasts, news and publications. Regional hubs have actively developed new research projects, social science capacities, and publications. That we have been approached by institutions to develop new regional hubs (in India, Vietnam, Argentina and Brazil) indicates Sonar-Global's global importance and visibility.
To build social sciences capacity, particularly in LMICs, Sonar-Global developed four social sciences trainings, in careful consultation with global experts and potential users. These four trainings are SPECIAL-SOC Epidemics (in English and French) and SPECIAL-SOC AMR for confirmed social scientists; and OPERATE-SOC Epidemics (in English and French) and OPERATE-SOC AMR for both younger social scientists and public health, clinical, and biomedical specialists who want to contribute to operational activities related to epidemics and AMR. SoNAR-Global has also developed a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) for the SPECIAL SOC AMR training. To date, we organized 15 trainings of over 150 social scientists, other researchers, public officials, professional staff, epidemic responders, and students from around the world. West African medical and public health students have also received instruction in selected modules of these trainings. In addition, SoNAR-Global developed a stand-alone Vulnerability Assessment training in English and French. All trainings are freely accessible on our website. Finally, we produced 5 high-quality podcasts on
Sonar-Global developed and implemented its combined COVID-19 Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Community Engagement (CE) tools in 7 countries: Uganda, Bangladesh, Germany, Italy, France, Malta, and Slovenia. These assessments sought to identify complex factors that exacerbated existing health and social vulnerabilities or produced new vulnerabilities. Our objective was to produce actionable analyses and to work with communities and stakeholders to co-develop policies that would assist those marginalized during the global pandemic. Amassing some 912 assessments total, partners produced concrete, actionable findings which have been taken up by municipal and national authorities as well as association and ONG actors on the ground.Results have been scaled to national levels in two countries. Although engagement and policy translation is still ongoing, specific policy contributions have already been implemented in selected sites in all country sites.
In the final reporting period alone, we published results of our activities in popular formats (7) and peer-reviewed journals, organized 13 conferences, presented our findings at 45 conferences and workshops, and participated in 9 press releases, press interviews, and podcasts of other institutions.
Sonar-Global has advanced the integration of the social sciences into national, regional and global institutions for preparedness and response. Several members actively contribute to WHO committees and working groups at regional and global levels for COVID-19 and other health emergencies, and multiple partners have advised and collaborated with national authorities throughout the COVID pandemic. We have a formal collaboration with UNICEF, integrating on a permanent our capacity building, tools, and ethics, data sharing and codes of conduct into humanitarian response around the world.
Sonar-Global has thus catalyzed and developed a dynamic, active network of social scientists and advanced the integration of the social sciences into the global health landscape at multiple levels and around the world. It continues as a legally-recognized association and as the social sciences services provider for the ISIDORe research infrastructure for preparedness and response to epidemics.
