Growing Up in Malawi Exhibition: Edinburgh and Glasgow

In January 2025, MEIRU co-hosted the two screening events of Episode Two of the Growing Up in Malawi film series at Edinburgh City Chambers, in partnership with the Scotland Malawi Partnership and at the University of Glasgow. These events brought together a diverse and engaged audience to celebrate the continuation of this participatory documentary project.

The screening offered audiences a rare opportunity to see the people behind the data generated through the Generation Malawi (GM) study and MEIRU’s wider research. Attendees viewed the first two episodes, which provide an intimate portrayal of motherhood, birth, and early life in Malawi, adding powerful human context to the study’s findings and resonating beyond academic audiences.

Developed through a participatory filmmaking approach, the series was shaped by community consultations with local leaders and cultural custodians. Participants were trained to document their own experiences, ensuring the films authentically reflect the voices of Malawian families while linking personal narratives to broader research themes.

MEIRU Director Professor Amelia (Mia) Crampin highlighted the central role of community engagement in the project’s success, while GM Programme Manager Dr Wisdom Nakanga reflected on the challenges and achievements of family recruitment. He emphasized the importance of engaging fathers and addressing the cultural factors influencing teenage pregnancy and health disparities.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session featuring Professor Crampin, Dr Nakanga, Dr Sharifa Abdulla and Professor Andrew McIntosh and Dr Robert Stewart (University of Edinburgh). In closing remarks, Scotland Malawi Partnership CEO Stuart Brown thanked participating families and project teams, acknowledged support from the Wellcome Trust and UKRI, and underscored the value of storytelling in advancing meaningful, impactful research.