Dear SuSanA forum members,

We are running a research study on research gaps in the WASH system strengthening area and are looking for people with expertise in WASH programming and research to join a panel to help us prioritize research gaps. We thought this would be relevant to SuSanA members. See below for the formally worded invite?

The *Global WASH System Strengthening Research Gap Exercise *seeks to collaboratively generate a consensus-based research agenda that can steer the WASH Systems Strengthening field for the next ten years. This is a global call for WASH System Strengthening Experts *to join an expert panel* to judge and prioritise research gaps that can help the sector realise the goals of system-based approaches in WASH.

We are looking for *experts from different geographies and areas of expertise* in WASH programming and policy to participate in an expert panel. It will involve:

1. Completing an *online survey* to rank priority research gaps for WASH system strengthening (estimated time: 45 minutes)
2. Attend a *webinar* to hear results from the first round of prioritisation (estimated time: 60 minutes)
3. Completing a *follow-up online survey* to adjust or confirm your ranking of research priorities for WASH system strengthening (estimated time: 30 minutes)

We plan to select between 25-30 participants to be part of the panel with an emphasis on ensuring diversity in geographies and backgrounds. Members of the panel will be expected to participate in each stage of the process.

If you would like to join the Global Expert Panel, please complete the sign-up form <eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?...Kr1qAs%3D&reserved=0> here: forms.office.com/e/j7mYvx8JwX <eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?...Kr1qAs%3D&reserved=0>

This process is being conducted by the WASH Systems for Health Facility, a consortium comprising of IRC WASH, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Leeds, that is supporting the FCDO WASH Systems for Health (2023-2028) <eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?...coaVHE%3D&reserved=0> programme. This research study has been approved by the University of Leeds Institutional Review Board (REF: LTCIVIL-007 - Global WASH System Strengthening Research Gap Analysis). If you feel there is someone else suitable in your organisation or network for this study, feel free to forward on this invite.

We thank you for your participation and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

- Dr Paul Hutchings (University of Leeds): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Dr Lauren D'Mello-Guyett (LSHTM): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Dr Angela Huston (IRC WASH): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On behalf of the WASH Systems for Health Facility team