Chatham House
Chatham House and IRIS have collaborated on several research projects, including the Hybrid Armed Actors in the MENA Region project between 2019 to 2023. The project explored means of characterizing these ‘hybrid’ armed actors, examining their relationships with local communities and external patrons, and interactions with regional conflict dynamics. Chatham House and IRIS also collaborate on the Sulaimani Forum annually.
Newcastle University
Newcastle University and IRIS are partnering on a research project entitled "The Afterlives of War-Related Injury in Iraq" between 2025 and 2028. With a focus on Mosul, the project documents the long-term impacts of conflict on healthcare infrastructures and involves a collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Directorate of Operations and Emergency Medical Services.
National Endowment for Democracy
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and IRIS are collaborating on an economic research initiative called the “Iraq Economic Review” between 2020 and 2028. The aim of the project is to promote robust economic policy, knowledge, and transparency in Iraq, and to shift the national policy conversation towards a long-term sustainable economic vision.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Humanitarian Health (CHH) and IRIS are collaborating on a research project titled "The Nexus of Climate Change, Conflict, Displacement, and Health." Focused on internal displacement in Iraq, the study aims to improve displacement predictions in the northern central region. It also explores strategies to enhance health system preparedness and sustainability within rapidly expanding urban areas.
Issam Fares Institute (IFI)
The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, and IRIS are partnering on "The Levant Corridor: Policy Pathways for Rebuilding Cross-Border Commerce." Spanning Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, the project explores pathways to enhance regional trade and economic coordination. The aim is to facilitate legitimate commerce and strengthen economic ties across the Levant corridor.
DT Institute
DT Institute and IRIS are partnering on the Iraq Leadership Fellowship (ILF), a program founded in 2017 to equip the next generation of socially and politically engaged Iraqis. Annually, the ILF recruits fellows (aged 25-35) from across Iraq for a year-long training program. It offers parallel curricula for social candidates and aspiring political candidates, fostering an active alumni network of over 300 graduates.
Arab Reform Initiative
Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) and IRIS have partnered on a project entitled “Just Energy Transition” as part of the Just Transition Green Bridge Project, funded by the European Commission and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). This initiative aimed to advance research on environmental transition in Iraq.
Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi)
The Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) and IRIS conducted a three-year research and knowledge sharing initiative entitled “Protecting Civilians from Harm: How can armed actors be made to comply with rules?” between 2021 and 2023. Funded by the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council, the project explored challenges of civilian protection in local communities across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
LSE Middle East Centre
The LSE Middle East Centre and IRIS collaborated on the Conflict Research Programme (CRP) between 2019 and 2021. Funded by the UK FCDO, the three-year program was designed to address the drivers and dynamics of violent conflict in the Middle East and Africa and to inform the measures being used to tackle armed conflict and its impacts.
PAX for Peace
PAX and IRIS collaborated on a research initiative that brought environmental and social issues to Iraq’s national political stage. Using a "citizen science" approach, the project engaged academics and students across several governorates. IRIS utilised the Sulaimani Forum to connect findings with high-level officials, while the initiative empowered civil society networks to address conflict-linked environmental challenges and drive momentum for change.
United States Institute of Peace
The United States Institute for Peace and IRIS collaborated on a research project examining Iraq’s water crisis. Based on over 200 interviews, the report demonstrated that water challenges are rooted in governance failures and infrastructure neglect rather than climate change alone. It provided province-specific analysis on how patronage and political dynamics shape water outcomes across the country.