IAESDP Announces Groundbreaking Research Collaboration with Johns Hopkins University

Collaboration announcement graphic, John Hopkins University of Public Health and the International Association of ESD Professionals

Creating Milestones in Violence Prevention through Empowerment Self Defense

The International Association of Empowerment Self Defense Professionals (IAESDP) is thrilled to share that we are in the final stages of developing a research collaboration with the SEE Change Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This exciting development represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to build a robust evidence base for Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) and elevate the global standards of ESD instruction. 

While the collaboration is still being finalized, the IAESDP and our academic colleagues are closely aligned on a shared vision: to advance the credibility, recognition, and impact of ESD through rigorous research. The SEE Change team at Johns Hopkins will serve as the research lead on this initiative, bringing their extensive public health expertise to bear on understanding ESD’s role in violence prevention, trauma recovery, and mental health. 

About the Collaboration

This forthcoming research effort marks a pioneering step for the field of ESD. Together with the Johns Hopkins SEE Change Initiative the IAESDP aims to: 

  • Collect and analyze data on the effectiveness of ESD training across diverse populations and settings. 
  • Explore the psychological and educational dimensions of ESD skill acquisition and long-term impact. 
  • Publish peer-reviewed studies that will contribute to global discourse on personal safety, trauma recovery, and gender-based violence prevention. 
 

The collaboration will integrate with IAESDP’s ongoing credentialing programs, and regional events—creating meaningful opportunities for Credentialed IAESDP Members to engage in research-based instruction and field studies. 

Why It Matters

This collaboration is a strategic step toward achieving long-standing goals of the International Association of ESD Professionals: 

  • Academic Validation: Establishing ESD as an evidence-based practice recognized by the public health, psychology, and education sectors. 
  • Instructor Professionalization: Offering preferential research participation to Credentialed IAESDP Members, incentivizing ethical, high-quality instruction. 
  • Global Influence: Producing data that can help shape policies, funding decisions, and programming in schools, NGOs, and government bodies around the world. 

What’s Next

The collaboration is expected to roll out in phases over the next 18 months, beginning with pilot studies integrated into select IAESDP trainings and culminating in scholarly publications and global data sharing. As part of our ethical and quality commitment, only instructors who have signed the IAESDP Code of Ethics and maintain active credentials will be eligible to participate in the research studies. 

We are particularly excited about how this collaboration strengthens our position as the global standard-setter for Empowerment Self Defense. It’s not only about generating data —it’s about ensuring that ESD is delivered in a consistent, ethical, and effective way, backed by research and aligned with our values. 

Stay Connected

We will share more details as this collaboration takes shape. In the meantime, we encourage IAESDP Members to stay informed, renew their credentials, and look out for calls for participation in upcoming research pilots. 

For further information please contact us at: hello@esdprofessionals.org