Building a world where appearance no longer limits dignity, access, or opportunity.
APi is an African-rooted institute building education, research, and psychosocial practice around appearance, dignity, and the impact of lookism.
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Appearance Positive Institute (APi)
Research • Learning • Psychosocial Well-being • Culture
Research • Learning • Psychosocial Well-being • Culture
We work with lived experience, evidence, and culture to support individuals, families, and institutions navigating visible difference, skin condition, appearance-related distress, and systemic lookism.
We work with lived experience, evidence, and culture to support individuals, families, and institutions navigating visible difference, skin condition, appearance-related distress, and systemic lookism.
🔹 WHY APi EXISTS
🔹 WHY APi EXISTS
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, appearance-based stigma is often dismissed as cosmetic or personal insecurity.
In reality, it shapes:
psychosocial (social, emotional, and mental) well-being
access to education and work
family and community life
emotional and social life
help-seeking behaviour
dignity and belonging
APi exists to name this reality, study it rigorously, and respond with culturally grounded learning, research, and storytelling.
Appearance Positive Institute (APi) is an African-rooted institute shaping research, digital learning, and cultural change around appearance, dignity, and the psychosocial impact of lookism.
We work with lived experience, evidence, and culture to support individuals, families, and institutions navigating visible differences, skin conditions, appearance concerns, and appearance-related distress.
🔹How We Work
🔹How We Work
APi’s work is guided by clear ethical, cultural, and psychosocial principles.
African-rooted
lived-experience led
non-toxic and non-pathologising
research-informed and human
practical, reflective, and dignifying
We do not ask people to “just be confident.”
We help them understand what happened and respond with clarity and dignity.
🔹WHO APi IS FOR
🔹WHO APi IS FOR
Individuals living with visible differences, skin conditions, appearance-related challenges, or appearance-based stigma
Parents and caregivers
Educators, facilitators, and professionals
Researchers, institutions, and funders
Cultural and media partners
Anyone concerned about their appearance, seeking understanding, or wishing to become an advocate for appearance positivity
🔹 WHAT APi DOES
APi is a flagship initiative of The Appearance Positive (TAP), working at the intersection of research, AI-enhanced digital learning, psychosocial well-being, and culture to address appearance-based stigma and its impact on dignity, opportunity, and belonging.
APi is pioneering the emerging field of Appearance Epidemiology, building the foundations for understanding appearance-related stigma and visible difference as population-level psychosocial and public health issues, and translating this understanding into policy, practice, and public education.
Our work is organised across four integrated pillars:
An African-led field examining how appearance-based stigma, culture, and discrimination shape health, identity, opportunity, and psychosocial (social, emotional, and mental) outcomes, grounded in lived experience and community-rooted evidence.
Africa’s first digital learning space fully centred on appearance well-being. We offer accessible, non-toxic, non-clinical e-learning for individuals, parents, caregivers, professionals, and institutions.
Psychosocial Research & Policy
Psychosocial Research & Policy
Human-centred research translated into practical guidance, advocacy tools, and policy-relevant insight, turning evidence into action that strengthens systems.
Culture & Social Impact Entertainment (SIE)
Culture & Social Impact Entertainment (SIE)
We transform research into powerful African narratives through film, storytelling, and media, shifting public understanding of appearance, dignity, and difference through everyday stories rooted in humanity.
Courses/Learning/Programs
APi’s e-learning programmes combine lived experience, psychosocial insight, and practical tools to build appearance-positive practice across Africa.
Our learning pathways include:
Free foundational courses
Professional and deep-dive programmes
Institution-focused training
🔹PARTNERSHIPS & FUTURE DIRECTION
🔹PARTNERSHIPS & FUTURE DIRECTION
APi is in active discussion and exploration with partners across:
Universities and research institutions
Health, education, and social systems
Psychosocial and mental health funders
Cultural, storytelling, and media platforms
Through these collaborations, APi aims to co-build the emerging field of Appearance Epidemiology as a new interdisciplinary area that bridges public health, psychology, sociology, and cultural studies, with a focus on evidence, policy translation, and systems-level change.
API’s work brings together public health, psychology, sociology, and policy to challenge appearance-based inequalities and promote positive, inclusive approaches to appearance across communities. Our programs are designed to support researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers in creating meaningful, appearance-positive change.
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