Research
Rigorous research, real impact.
Kobo’s research team works hand-in-hand with local communities to conduct research that makes a real social impact in the humanitarian, human rights, peacebuilding, environmental protection, and development fields.
Partnerships
Partnering with Kobo means tailor-made research methodologies, a deeply collaborative process, and a shared commitment to achieving positive social impact. Our partners range from UN agencies to universities to local organizations.
Our expertise
Our team specializes in collecting data in challenging settings. Deeply committed to ethics and localization, Kobo researchers design and carry out research, draft methodological guidance, and develop tools for social-impact advocacy.
Areas of expertise
- Artificial intelligence & humanitarian ethics
- Peacebuilding & protection of civilians
- Forced displacement & refugees
- Human rights
- Armed conflict & organized crime
- Attacks on education & EiE
- Transitional justice
- Climate & resilient communities
- Urban livelihoods & public services
- Public health & WASH
Methodologies
- Survey design (esp. in challenging settings)
- Sampling difficult-to-reach populations
- Interviews
- Participant observation
- Participatory action research
- Randomized controlled trials
- Quantitative & qualitative analysis
- Monitoring & evaluation
- Developing methodological guidance & tools
- Desk research
Project Spotlight
In Colombia, rather than simply survey affected populations, Kobo partnered with a local organization that provides safe-schools trainings and offers trauma-reduction courses to teachers affected by the conflict. Together, we produced a greater social impact.
Latest Publications
Methodological Guide for Documenting Civilian Harm from Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Guidance and tools for documenting the impacts of attacks on energy.
Aug 2026
Can Large Language Models Reliably Code Qualitative Humanitarian Data? A Benchmark Study Against Human Expert Adjudication
Study evaluating the reliability of 46 LLMs for coding qualitative humanitarian data.
Jun 2026
Ethical AI for Humanitarian Data
Case study about Kobo’s automated transcription, translation, and analysis features.
May 2026
Expert support for every project
Our team offers flexible support for projects of different sizes and needs.
Choose a Service Package for quick, cost-effective access to a defined suite of services, or a Custom Agreement for tailored support designed for larger, more complex projects.
Pro Package
For projects with both hands-on support and capacity building needs
2
Virtual trainings
5
Expert consultations
40
Service hours
25
Academy licenses
Advanced Package
For complex projects that need comprehensive support
4
Virtual trainings
10
Expert consultations
120
Service hours
50
Academy licenses
Custom Agreement
For larger scale projects that require custom support
- Tailored services & expertise
- Flexible project timelines
- Start-to-finish support
- Collaborative approach
Sustainable impact
After we develop a project with our partners, Kobo’s general practice is to share tools from that project as open source, publicly available resources. That way, local organizations have the methodologies and guidance they need to replicate the research in the future, ensuring a sustainable impact.