Rebuilding the social foundations of HIV research: Community-engaged approaches for the next phase of HIV cure research in Sub-Saharan Africa

The search for an HIV cure is advancing rapidly, yet the socio-behavioural, ethical, and institutional foundations needed to support responsible cure research remain unevenly developed. Participation in HIV cure studies—particularly those involving analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs)—is shaped not only by clinical eligibility criteria but also by stigma, perceptions of risk and benefit, relational responsibilities, and broader structural inequalities. In many settings in sub-Saharan Africa, limited public understanding of HIV cure science and persistent structural stigma may affect trust in research institutions and willingness to participate in clinical trials. In this viewpoint, we argue that strengthening the social foundations of HIV research is essential for ensuring ethical, inclusive, and sustainable progress toward an HIV cure. Drawing on socio-behavioural research and participatory global health approaches, we propose Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) as a framework for fostering reciprocal learning between researchers and communities. Integrating such approaches can strengthen research governance, improve participant understanding, and support locally grounded leadership in HIV cure science. Ultimately, strengthening the social foundations of HIV research will be critical to ensuring that emerging cure strategies translate into equitable global health impact.