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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230609
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230614
DTSTAMP:20230627T174433Z
CREATED:20230627T174433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230627T174433Z
UID:10000836-1686268800-1686700799@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:CPPF Workshop on Political Economy Analysis in Central Africa
DESCRIPTION:On 9\,12\, and 13 June 2023 CPPF hosted a series of three half-day virtual workshops on PEA in Central Africa. The sessions took stock of political analysis-related work within both the United Nations and World Bank and discussed methodologies. The meeting aimed to enrich both organizations’ understanding of the political economy trends related to oil exporting states and the Congo Basin rainforest in Central Africa.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/cppf-workshop-on-political-economy-analysis-in-central-africa/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230612
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230614
DTSTAMP:20241213T152725Z
CREATED:20230720T182035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152725Z
UID:10000837-1686528000-1686700799@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:APN and Next Gen African University Seminar Series\, University Nairobi\, June 12–13\, 2023
DESCRIPTION:The inaugural African University Seminar Series in Kenya (AUSS-Kenya) was held at the University of Nairobi\, Kenya from June 12-13\, 2023. The Kenya-based current and former fellows of the Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC’s) African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) organized the event fellows\, under the guidance of the co-chairs of the APN-Next Gen Advisory Board\, Dr. Steve Akoth (former Next Gen fellow) and Prof. Rita Abrahamsen. The AUSS-Kenya Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is led by the co-chairs\, Jacinta Maweu (former APN fellow) and Rahma Hassan (former Next Gen fellow)\, and the members include other former APN fellows: Alex Kamwaria\, Lilian Kong’ani\, John Mwangi Githigaro (also a former Next Gen fellow)\, Joyce Omwoha\, Susan Kung’u (also a Next Gen fellow)\, and Fredrick Ogenga. The event brought together current and former APN-Next Gen fellows during a 2-day seminar with the theme: “Security\, Peacebuilding and Development in Africa: Reflections from Kenya.” It marked a significant first step towards consolidating the APN-Next Gen fellow/alumni network in Kenya into a distinct African scholarly community that promotes Afrocentric values of research excellence\, knowledge production\, and policy engagement. \nThe Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi hosted the seminar. Dr. Jennifer Muchiri\, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi\, kicked off the event by giving welcome remarks. Dr. Steve Akoth of the APN and Next Gen Advisory Board then gave his opening remarks\, highlighting the decade-long impact of the APN-Next Gen program on the professional development of Africa-based scholars. Dr. Mustafa Ali\, co-founder and chairman of the HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies\, followed with a keynote address on “Shared Security and the Age of Polycrisis\,” in which he noted the importance of prioritizing “dialogue-centered conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms” and emphasizing the need for collective or “shared security.” He also encouraged participants to “work towards a more secure\, peaceful\, and prosperous Africa\, driven by evidence\, research\, and analytical inquiry.” \nThe keynote was followed by the first panel on: “Indigenous knowledge and local peacebuilding cultures” moderated by John Mwangi Githigaro. The panel consisted of presentations by Flora Mutere (former Next Gen fellow)\, David Muthegethi (former Next Gen fellow)\, Frederick Ogenga (former APN fellow)\, and Sela Musundi (former APN fellow). \nThe second panel on: “Climate change\, natural resource conflicts\, and Security in Africa” was moderated by Lilian Kong’ani (former APN fellow). It consisted of presentations by Rahma Hassan (former Next Gen fellow)\, Mahat Issack Hassan (former Next Gen fellow)\, and Graham Oluteyo (former Next Gen fellow). \nThe second day of the seminar opened with a keynote by Prof. Musambayi Katumanga\, associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nairobi titled: “Geographing Development and Realities of Security.” \nThe first panel of the day was “Media\, Memories and Peacebuilding\,” moderated by Jacinta Mwende (former APN fellow). The panel consisted of presentations by Allen Wefwafwa (former Next Gen fellow)\, Susan Kung’u (former Next Gen fellow)\, and Muema Wambua (former Next Gen fellow). \nThe second panel on “Gender\, Conflict\, and Peacebuilding” was moderated by Alex Kamwaria (former APN fellow). It consisted of presentations by Joyce Omwoha\, Lilian Kong’ani\, and Roseanne Njiru (all former APN fellows)\, while the third and last panel on “Interstate Relations\, Geopolitics\, and Histories of Conflict\,” was moderated by Susan Kung’u. The panel consisted of presentations by Benson Kanyani (former Next Gen fellow)\, Alex Kamwaria (former APN fellow)\, and Kizito Sabala (former APN fellow). \nThe AUSS-Kenya seminar wrapped up with great success. APN-Next Gen current and former fellows were able to present their papers and receive feedback from each other during the interactive and engaging Q&A sessions. In addition to being an opportunity to present and discuss their work\, AUSS-Kenya was also a great networking opportunity for current and former fellows from different Kenyan universities and institutions located across the country. \nThe AUSS-Kenya participants unanimously agreed that this self-organized seminar was a great learning experience and an empowering initiative within the APN-Next Gen community and expressed the hope to make it a recurring annual seminar with involvement from more APN-Next Gen current and former fellows.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/apn-and-next-gen-african-university-seminar-series-university-nairobi-june-12-13-2023/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230612T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230612T170000
DTSTAMP:20231220T185929Z
CREATED:20230612T170206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231220T185929Z
UID:10000852-1686556800-1686589200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Convening: Policy-Relevant Social and Behavioral Science
DESCRIPTION:In this virtual convening of the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences\, Arthur Lupia\, executive director of the Bold Challenges Initiative at the University of Michigan\, and Jeremy Weinstein\, faculty director of Stanford Impact Labs\, talked about their work to support faculty and graduate students pursuing ambitious applied and socially relevant research\, in partnership with public\, private\, and nonprofit organizations.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/virtual-convening-policy-relevant-social-and-behavioral-science/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230612T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230612T150000
DTSTAMP:20230929T155111Z
CREATED:20230419T174645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230929T155111Z
UID:10000827-1686578400-1686582000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Supporting Policy-Relevant Social and Behavioral Science
DESCRIPTION:Public and private funding organizations\, state legislatures\, and donors increasingly expect universities to produce socially impactful and policy-relevant research. However\, publication and promotion incentives may undermine efforts to mobilize the social and behavioral science research community to pursue policy-relevant research. This series of virtual convenings is an opportunity for member institutions of the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences (CUF) to share what works–and what doesn’t–to mobilize social and behavioral science that is both policy-relevant and scientifically rigorous. \nThese virtual convenings are intended to be an opportunity for cross-institutional learning and networking across CUF member institutions\, and we hope they will be highly interactive and conversational. Registration is only open to individuals associated with one of the current member institutions. If you’d like to be notified of upcoming events\, please join our mailing list.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/supporting-policy-relevant-social-and-behavioral-science/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230615T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230615T140000
DTSTAMP:20240112T170040Z
CREATED:20230615T173148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240112T170040Z
UID:10000834-1686834000-1686837600@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Improving Global Education: Evidence\, Cost-Effectiveness\, and Political Economy
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nSolutions to many of today’s key development challenges hinge not on creating new technologies and solutions\, but in understanding why the poor do not adopt seemingly beneficial technologies that already exist. Throughout the developing world\, there are countless examples of technologies that appear to be welfare enhancing but are adopted by the poor at very low rates. Examples span health\, finance\, and agriculture sectors\, and include cleaner cook-stoves\, anti-malarial bednets\, toilets\, fertilizer\, weather insurance\, and improved seed varieties. To make progress on these problems\, we need to understand the sources of behavioral or structural barriers to new technology adoption\, in order to devise policies and marketing strategies to address those barriers. This talk will highlight economic analysis and randomized-controlled-trial based field experimental methods applied in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to make progress on these questions. \n\nEvent Recording\n \nAbout Karthik Muralidharan\nKarthik Muralidharan is the Tata Chancellor’s Professor of Economics at the University of California\, San Diego (UCSD) and holds positions at MIT\, the Bureau of Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD)\, the National Bureau of Economic Research\, and the World Bank. His research spans development\, public\, and labor economics with a focus on improving the effectiveness of public spending in the social sector (education\, health\, and social protection programs).
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/improving-global-education-evidence-cost-effectiveness-and-political-economy/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230619
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230622
DTSTAMP:20230627T173758Z
CREATED:20230627T173758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230627T173758Z
UID:10000835-1687132800-1687391999@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:9th Annual CPPF-DPPA RC MENA Forum
DESCRIPTION:CPPF hosted its 9th annual Forum for UN Resident Coordinators in the Middle East and North Africa Region in Geneva\, Switzerland on 19-21 June 2023. The Forum covered regional political trends and cross-cutting topics such as human rights; drugs\, crime and corruption; climate change and water politics; media and new technologies; migration; and risks and opportunities for the UN in the MENA region.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/9th-annual-cppf-dppa-rc-mena-forum/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230724
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230728
DTSTAMP:20241213T152716Z
CREATED:20230830T160627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152716Z
UID:10000839-1690156800-1690502399@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:APN-Next Gen Research Methods Workshop
DESCRIPTION:From July 24-27\, 2023\, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN)-Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) Program hosted its Research Methods Workshop for the 2023-24 cohort of APN Individual Research fellows and the Next Gen Doctoral Dissertation Proposal\, Research\, and Completion fellows. The workshop was hosted in collaboration with the University of Botswana at the Grand Palm Hotel and Convention Center in Gaborone\, Botswana. \nOn Monday\, July 24th\, the workshop began with opening remarks from the APN-Next Gen Program Director\, Dr. Cyril Obi\, and Prof. Gabriel Faimau\, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Botswana and the head of the University of Botswana’s local organizing committee. This was followed by remarks from the guests of honor: the deputy vice chancellor for research and enterprise at the University of Botswana Prof. Doreen Ramogola-Masire and Prof. Emmanuel Botlhale\, professor in public administration in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Botswana. \nFollowing the opening of the workshop\, Dr. Jacinta Mwende Maweu of the University of Nairobi (APN IRG 2015; APN CWG 2022-24) gave a keynote lecture titled “Challenges Facing African Women Engaged in Research: Reflections on Managing the Work-Life Balance.” The first day concluded with fellows and mentors engaging in their working groups. APN IRF fellows met with their mentors and Next Gen fellows met within their Thematic Working Groups to discuss current and emerging debates in the literature on themes related to their respective doctoral research projects. \nTuesday began with a keynote lecture titled “Critical Research Methods for Making Sense of Climate Change-Related Conflict and Peace in Africa” by Prof. Joram Tarusarira of the University of Groningen. The rest of the morning was dedicated to working groups\, and Next Gen fellows switched groups to work with members of their specific fellowship cohorts. \nOn Tuesday afternoon\, participants took a break from their working groups for an excursion into Gaborone. First\, participants visited the Three Dikgosi Monument (Three Chiefs Monument) to learn about the history of Botswana\, particularly the role of the founding fathers. Following this\, participants visited the Botswana National Museum and Art Gallery and the “Main Mall” market area in downtown Gaborone. The day concluded with a driving tour of the University of Botswana’s beautiful campus\, a game drive at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve\, cultural dances\, and a lively group dinner. \nOn Wednesday\, fellows and mentors worked throughout the day in group sessions and one-on-one sessions. Thursday morning saw the conclusion of one-on-one sessions and a final round of group sessions to enable mentors and fellows to reflect on their discussions and set research\, writing\, and personal goals for the period of the fellowship and beyond. \nThe workshop concluded on Thursday afternoon with a panel that brought together APN and Next Gen fellows and mentors to discuss the topic\, “Developing and Applying Research Methods and Analytical Lens Across Disciplines: Challenges and Opportunities.” Following the panel\, closing remarks were made by Dr. Obi and Prof. Faimau and gifts were given to the APN-Next Gen board members in attendance. \nThe APN-Next Gen would like to thank all of the fellows\, mentors\, keynote lecturers\, guests of honor\, and the members of the local organizing committee from the University of Botswana for their participation\, enthusiasm\, support\, and commitment to the program.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/apn-next-gen-research-methods-workshop/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230824T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230824T150000
DTSTAMP:20240111T165659Z
CREATED:20230925T185948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240111T165659Z
UID:10000842-1692885600-1692889200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Building an Evidence Base for Climate Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nMitigating greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating adaptation to climate change requires effective public investments\, yet many policies and programs lack crucial evidence of their effectiveness. In low and middle income countries\, the cost of putting resources toward ineffective policies is particularly high. This talk discusses two recent randomized controlled trials aimed at filling the evidence gap. The first tests novel approaches to reduce agricultural emissions in India. The second improves smallholder farmers’ resilience to climate shocks in Niger. Findings highlight the need for piloting before scaling up policy — in both projects\, cost effectiveness was improved through innovative policy design. \n\nEvent Recording\n \nAbout Kelsey Jack\nKelsey Jack is an Associate Professor at the Bren School and in the Department of Economics at UC Santa Barbara. Her research is at the intersection of environmental and development economics\, with a focus on how individuals\, households\, and communities affect and are affected by their natural environment. Much of her research uses field experiments to test theory and new policy innovations. She has done research in numerous countries in Africa\, Asia and Latin America. Kelsey co-chairs the Environment and Energy sector at J-PAL and is an associate editor at the American Economic Review and Econometrica. Prior to joining UCSB\, Professor Jack was on the faculty at Tufts University and was a post doc at MIT. She has a bachelors degree from Princeton University and a PhD from Harvard University. Before graduate school\, she spent two years in Lao PDR working for IUCN.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/building-an-evidence-base-for-climate-interventions-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-centennial-lecture-series/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230824T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230824T150000
DTSTAMP:20240111T170045Z
CREATED:20230916T193914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240111T170045Z
UID:10000838-1692885600-1692889200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:What Can Linked Administrative Data Sets Teach Us About Eviction And Poverty In America?
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nThe report leading to the creation of the SSRC in 1923 outlined several major challenges for social science: data collection\, interpretation\, measurement\, and causality. This lecture will explore the extent to which newly available administrative datasets — linked together to create what is sometimes referred to as “big data” — can help address these challenges and contribute to our understanding of the causes and consequences of eviction and poverty in the United States. The lecture will draw heavily on a study of eviction in Chicago and New York\, which is joint work with Robert Collinson\, John Eric Humphries\, Nick Mader\, Davin Reed and Daniel Tannenbaum. \n\nEvent Recording\n \nAbout Winnie van Dijk\nWinnie van Dijk is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Yale. Her research is motivated by a desire to understand how economic policy can alleviate poverty and increase economic opportunity for low-income households. Professor Van Dijk’s work combines frontier econometric methods with the collection and curation of new data sets — including court filings\, information collected by public agencies\, surveys\, and credit reports — to generate empirical evidence that can inform policy design and evaluation. Professor Van Dijk is a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research\, and she is affiliated with Opportunity Insights\, the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab\, the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities\, and CAGE. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a PhD in economics\, and subsequently she was a Saieh Family Research Fellow at the Becker Friedman Institute and an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Harvard. Before Chicago\, she studied at the London School of Economics and at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/what-can-linked-administrative-data-sets-teach-us-about-eviction-and-poverty-in-america/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230828
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230830
DTSTAMP:20241213T152711Z
CREATED:20230830T161236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152711Z
UID:10000840-1693180800-1693353599@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:APN-Next Gen Regional Proposal Development Workshop
DESCRIPTION:From July 28-29\, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN)-Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) Program hosted a Regional Proposal Development Workshop for Southern Africa in Gaborone\, Botswana in collaboration with the University of Botswana. The workshop brought together facilitators and prospective applicants to the APN-Next Gen fellowships to discuss the proposal-writing process in relation to the intent and scope of APN-Next Gen fellowships. The workshop featured participants from universities in Botswana\, Malawi\, Madagascar\, South Africa\, and Lesotho. \nAfter the opening of the workshop on the 28th\, Prof. Gabriel Faimau (University of Botswana) delivered the workshop’s keynote lecture\, “Developing Innovative Ideas and Research Questions for Advancing Southern Africa’s Peace and Security.” \nThe 29th began with Dr. Daniel Rakgoasi\, senior lecturer in the Department of Population Studies at the University of Botswana\, delivering a lecture titled “An Overview of Multidisciplinary Research in Peace and Development in Southern Africa.” Following this lecture\, Prof. Godwin Onuoha (Mercer County Community College) delivered his lecture\, “The Basics of Writing a Winning Research Proposal: Linking Research Questions to Theory\, Methods and Relevance.” \nIn the afternoon of the 29th\, facilitators and participants worked in groups and one-on-one sessions to discuss their proposals and discuss best practice for applying to fellowships such as those offered by the APN-Next Gen program. \nThe APN-Next Gen would like to thank all the participants\, mentors\, keynote lecturers\, and the distinguished local organizing committee from the University of Botswana for their participation\, enthusiasm\, support\, and commitment to the program.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/apn-next-gen-regional-proposal-development-workshop/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230927T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230927T170000
DTSTAMP:20231220T190655Z
CREATED:20230927T175704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231220T190655Z
UID:10000853-1695801600-1695834000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Policy-Relevant Social and Behavioral Science: Effective Governance
DESCRIPTION:In this virtual convening of the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences\, William Howell\, director of the Center for Effective Government at the University of Chicago\, and Cyrus Samii of New York University and Executive Director of the Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP) network\, discussed each organization’s approach to balancing high-quality research with practical partnerships with government officials\, NGOs\, and journalists.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/policy-relevant-social-and-behavioral-science-effective-governance/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231025T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231028T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152703Z
CREATED:20231103T180024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152703Z
UID:10000847-1698220800-1698512400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:5th Biennial Conference of the African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA)
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program hosted a panel at the 5th Biennial Conference of the African Studies Association of Africa (#ASAA2023) under the theme: “Repatriating Africa: Old Challenges & Critical Insights.” The event was co-organized by the ASAA in partnership with New Horizons University (UNH) and the Arrupe Center for Research and Training (CARF)\, in Lubumbashi\, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from October 25-28\, 2023. The panel was an opportunity for former fellows of the program to showcase their research findings\, connect with peers from across the world\, and receive feedback from conference participants. It was a well-attended event\, with about 60 people in the audience. \nThe panel was organized under the “restoration” axis of the conference on the theme: “Reinvigorating the Politics of Freedom\, Unity and Development in Africa: Mapping Emerging Pathways for Social Transformation and Dignity.” In the first presentation on “Eastern and Western Congolese in Cape Town: Ethno-regional Identity Politics and Refugee ‘Papers’ among Congolese Migrants\,” Dr. Rosette Sifa Vuninga (2016-18 APN CWG Fellow; 2020 and 2023 Next Gen fellow) explored the home region politics with which Congolese negotiate their refugee status in South Africa. She discussed the regionalization of the DRC war/conflict in the determination of the refugee status of Congolese migrants in South Africa and how it has contributed to the reproduction of East/West identity discourse and tensions of post-Mobutu Congo among Congolese living in South Africa. Focusing on Cape Town\, Dr. Vuninga contended that the question regarding which region of the DRC one hails from and how directly the conflict has affected Congolese is not just a crucial factor in the outcome of a refugee status application\, but it is also fueling discrimination against Congolese from regions other than eastern Congo and is serving to distinguish between Congolese refugees and non-refugees. \nDr. Erick Sourna Loumtouang (2020 APN IRF Fellow) spoke on “Africa\, From the ‘Field of Experience’ to the Field of Power: Understanding the Interplay of International Actors in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin.” He noted that Western powers’ formerly exclusive spheres of influence in Africa are now being shared with new state actors with varied profiles that are neither Western nor democratic. Their eruption on African soil owes its advent in large part to the emergence of new utopias that have their roots in the contestation of the Western monopoly and the sovereigntist desires of some African states facing the challenges of development and the aftermath of international terrorism. Dr. Loumtouang’s presentation mapped identified actors and established a framework for analyzing this renewed scramble for Africa and its multiple and varied implications for security\, democracy\, economy\, and technology vis-à-vis Africa’s agency and capacities for initiatives to derive maximal benefit from these incursions. \nThe third presentation by Dr. Joyce Agofure (2022 APN IRF fellow) on “Revisiting Development in Africa through Creative Writing” underlined the power inherent in creative writing as a tool to rewrite narratives of Africa and its development and redress negative stereotyping of its advancement despite its richness in diversity\, resources\, and opportunities. According to Dr. Agofure\, creative writing can help foster growth in Africa by highlighting ideals\, the value of cultural history\, and collective experiences. African writers can promote cooperation by using literary forms to spread themes of progress. Drawing on literary works like Wangari’s Maathi’s Unbowed\, Helon Habila’s Oil on Water\, Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness\, and \nAhlam Mostaghanmi’s Memory in the Flesh\, Dr. Agofure illustrated how African writers emphasize social problems as well as remedies that enhance progress\, noting that Africa can be a place of advancement. This paper emphasizes that African writers can accentuate shared values and solutions for societal challenges geared toward a better future for all Africans. She concluded that it is time to embrace the power of creative writing to reposition the African space as a hub for development. \nDr. Nicodemus Minde (2013 APN IRG Fellow; 2017\, 2018\, and 2019 Next Gen Fellow) presented on “Performing the Union: National Rituals and Negotiating the United Republic.” He spoke about nation and state-building from the inception of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964 through to modern-day Tanzania\, juxtaposing the multiple and bifurcated identities that have been produced and performed throughout the country’s history as illustrated by affinities to political parties and more seemingly banal activities like who is chosen to represent the national football team. In light of the reignited question of the status of Zanzibar in the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar following the 2011-2014 constitution review process\, Dr. Minde explored the different ways the Union has been performed through contemporary national rituals such as the opening of parliament\, national celebrations\, national funerals and sports\, and the inclusion of Zanzibari leaders in national events. \nDr. Titilope F. Ajayi (2017 APN IRG Fellow; 2016 and 2019 Next Gen Fellow) gave the final presentation on “Gender and Political Change in Africa: Lessons for Future Pan-Africanism from Women’s Transnational Organizing\,” a discussion of ongoing research on the erasures and silencing of African women’s roles in both the ideation\, performance\, advocacy\, and movement-building around Pan-Africanism from hegemonic historical narratives. Noting that the concept of Pan-Africanism has evolved on the continent since its independence heydays\, Dr. Ajayi remarked the arrogation of allied debates by states and statist organizations like the African Union (AU) to the exclusion of ordinary Africans and the gender deficiency in recent more populist notions. Drawing on her research on African women’s transnational activism\, she shared that Blackness and Africanness were major motivating factors for women supporting movements\, like Bring Back Our Girls\, globally\, suggesting that such movements could offer insights into the reconceptualization of Pan-Africanism in informal spaces that is more relatable for ordinary Africans on the continent and in its Diasporas. \nDr. Chenai Matshaka-Munyaka (2017 and 2019 Next Gen Fellow) wrapped up the panel as a discussant. She noted that the presented papers critically unravelled some of the key concerns plaguing Africa today comprising politics of identity\, including views of the self and other\, insider-outsiderhood\, changing notions of belonging\, and perceptions of the contexts in which these identities are constructed and performed. She noted that the panel also identified other themes\, notably of external threats and emerging identities afflicting and impacting the post-colonial African state\, politics of migration\, victimhood and woundedness\, and questions of nationhood and unity within the context of diverse identities. Dr. Matshaka-Munyaka observed that the panel explored the layered and intersectional meanings of what it means to be African\, stating that these issues are complex and diverse\, and that their occurrence at the intersections of legacies of the colonial past and changing global political dynamics poses numerous threats to Africa’s development. She pointed out that although the panellists’ presentations illustrated how narratives of instability\, violence and subjugation have shaped African identities\, these are not the only narratives that define the continent and its citizens. She also noted that the papers motivate a rethinking or re-imagining of the conception of development in Africa as well as its roots in Western norms and ideals. She opined that African-centered scholarship represents an opportunity to counter hegemonic narratives by\, for example\, using creative writing to re-tell the African story from perspectives of hope\, unity\, resilience\, and changing the collective identity of the continent. Dr. Matshaka-Munyaka concluded that the panel underwrote not only the scholarship that unpacks Africa’s identity politics\, but further contributed to rethinking Africa’s development by critically engaging with renewed threats and opportunities as they present themselves in the identities of multiple actors and ideologies. \nThe panel concluded with a lively panel-audience interaction\, which made clear that the presentations were well received and the questions they raised around nationalism\, identity\, belonging\, authenticity\, inclusion\, diversity\, and citizen-led political change resonated with a wide range of delegates from different countries and cultural and political contexts. The discussions also offered an opportunity for panelists to refine concepts and further clarify their research findings and implications for scholarship and policy. \nOver the four days of the conference\, fellows formed new networks and collaborative relationships among the multilingual and multidisciplinary scholarly and creative community
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/5th-biennial-conference-of-the-african-studies-association-of-africa-asaa/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231027T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231027T140000
DTSTAMP:20240111T165344Z
CREATED:20231027T164951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240111T165344Z
UID:10000845-1698411600-1698415200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:What Conventional Wisdom Gets Wrong About Political Polarization
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nWe hear often that Americans are more polarized than ever. In this lecture\, Professor David Broockman will explore how Americans are politically polarized\, why–and why not–this matters\, and potential solutions. Professor Broockman will discuss how his research has challenged conventional wisdom on: (1) to what extent Americans’ frustrations with government result from politicians being too extreme\, (2) to what extent voters’ dislike of each other–so-called affective polarization–contributes to the nation’s political challenges\, and (3) how we all can have more productive and persuasive conversations with our political rivals. \n\nEvent Recording\n \nAbout David Broockman\nDavid Broockman is an Associate Professor at the Travers Department of Political Science at the University of California\, Berkeley. Professor Broockman is the author of over three dozen peer-reviewed scholarly essays focusing on American politics. His research has overturned conventional wisdom regarding the nature\, extent\, and consequences of political polarization in the American public; how political campaigns can persuade voters; and how to have productive conversations to bridge divides and reduce prejudice.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/what-conventional-wisdom-gets-wrong-about-political-polarization-centennial-lecture-series/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231114T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231114T170000
DTSTAMP:20231116T213759Z
CREATED:20231116T213442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231116T213759Z
UID:10000848-1699948800-1699981200@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Research AMP Webinar
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council’s Research AMP program hosted a webinar on November 14\, 2023 to introduce prospective users to the platform. In it\, SSRC program staff gave some background on the development of Research AMP\, outlined its central features and how they can be used\, and went over some tips on how to begin planning a Research AMP site.  \nResearch AMP is a free\, open-source technology for building scholarly communities\, collecting research\, and sharing insights with new audiences. \nWebinar Recording
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/research-amp-webinar/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231116T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231116T153000
DTSTAMP:20240111T165040Z
CREATED:20231116T173357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240111T165040Z
UID:10000846-1700145000-1700148600@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:What Have Megastudies Taught Us about Successfully Encouraging Increased Vaccination?
DESCRIPTION:About the Lecture\nIn this lecture\, Professor Milkman will discuss three massive field experiments testing dozens of different ways of encouraging increased vaccination. First\, she will discuss a “megastudy” encouraging flu vaccination at doctor’s appointments among 47\,306 patients of two large U.S. health systems in which 42 scientists worked in teams to design a total of 19 different text reminders using a variety of different behavioral science principles. Next\, she will describe a megastudy encouraging in-pharmacy flu vaccinations among 689\,693 Walmart pharmacy patients in which 44 scientists worked in teams to design a total of 22 different text reminders using a variety of different behavioral science principles. Finally\, we’ll look at a megastudy encouraging COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccination among 3.5 million patients of a national pharmacy chain in which 13 scientists worked together to design a total of 8 different interventions including text reminders and free round-trip rides to the pharmacy. \n\nWebinar Recording\n\nAbout Katy Milkman\nKaty Milkman is the James G. Dinan Professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania\, host of Charles Schwab’s popular behavioral economics podcast Choiceology\, and the former president of the international Society for Judgment and Decision Making. She is also the co-founder and co-director of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative\, a research center with the mission of advancing the science of lasting behavior change. Over the course of her career\, Katy has worked with or advised dozens of organizations on how to spur positive change\, including Google\, the White House\, Walmart and the U.S. Department of Defens
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/what-have-megastudies-taught-us-about-successfully-encouraging-increased-vaccination-centennial-lecture-series/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231117T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231117T170000
DTSTAMP:20231121T201136Z
CREATED:20231121T200538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231121T201136Z
UID:10000849-1700208000-1700240400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2023 Just Tech Fellowship Application Info Webinar Recording
DESCRIPTION:The SSRC’s Just Tech program is seeking applications for the third cohort of its Just Tech Fellowship for the 2024–26 period. This informational webinar was recorded on November 17 to provide those interested with relevant information regarding the application process and fellowship. \nLearn more and apply to the Just Tech Fellowship here. \nApplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The last day to submit Full Application Materials is January 31\, 2024\, at 11:59 p.m. EST. \nEvent Recording\n \n—– \nThe SSRC’s Just Tech program foregrounds questions of power\, equity\, and the public impact of new technologies\, investigating evidence of bias and harm while centering the perspectives of historically marginalized communities. The Just Tech Fellowship provides two-year awards of $100\,000 annually\, as well as supplementary funding\, for researchers and practitioners imagining radically different tech futures that embrace joy\, hope\, self-determination\, and equity. \nLearn more about Just Tech at https://www.ssrc.org/programs/just-tech/ \nContact us at just-tech@ssrc.org
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2023-just-tech-fellowship-application-info-webinar-recording/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231117T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231117T130000
DTSTAMP:20231019T202911Z
CREATED:20231018T195943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231019T202911Z
UID:10000844-1700222400-1700226000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Just Tech Fellowship Public Information Session 2024
DESCRIPTION:The SSRC’s Just Tech program is proud to host a public information session answering your questions about the new Just Tech Fellowship\, a two-year\, full-time\, $100\,000 per year (plus supplementary funding) remote fellowship supporting a diverse community of researchers and practitioners investigating the intersection of technology and social justice. \nThe public information session is scheduled for Friday\, November 17\, 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET. The session will cover details on application guidelines and eligibility requirements and answer any questions that participants may have. Register here.\n\nJust Tech is supported by the Ford Foundation\, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur\nFoundation\, the Surdna Foundation\, and the Democracy Fund.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/just-tech-fellowship-public-info-session-2023/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231128T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231128T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152654Z
CREATED:20231211T182338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152654Z
UID:10000850-1701158400-1701190800@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2023 Next Gen Post-Doctoral Virtual Writing Fellowship Workshop\, November 28\, 2023.
DESCRIPTION:On November 28th\, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) Program hosted the Next Gen Post-Doctoral Virtual Writing Workshop. The workshop brought together Next Gen Post-Doctoral Writing Fellows and program mentors to discuss their draft manuscripts\, strategies\, and plans for publication. The event was convened to facilitate the finalization of fellows’ manuscripts based on their Next Gen-supported research projects for publication in peer-reviewed journals\, book chapters\, or the completion of book proposals/manuscripts. \nThe workshop began with welcome remarks by the APN and Next Gen program director\, and the introduction of workshop participants. The presentations by each fellow in sessions one and two were followed by feedback from their peers and mentors. This aimed to refine the scope and quality of the draft manuscripts presented by the fellows. Their presentations encompassed diverse discussions of the Next Gen-supported PhD research findings that drew on cases focusing on South Africa and Nigeria from interdisciplinary perspectives\, including History\, Development\, Anthropology\, Peace\, and Cultural Studies. \nIn the first of the three presentations of session one\, Dr. Rosette Sifa Vuninga\, of the University of Cape Town\, spoke to her draft manuscript on “Congolese Refugees in South Africa: Contests around Identity Politics and State Documentation\,” which highlighted the main arguments of the paper on the agency of Congolese migrants living in South Africa. She explored divisions and contestations that marked relations within Congolese migrants over place and identity in their destination country of South Africa. Participants raised questions about the evolution and single\, transient\, changing\, or multiple identities of Congolese migrants in South Africa. \nIn the second presentation\, Dr. Simbarashe Nyuke\, of the University of the Witwatersrand\, presented his draft manuscript on “The Price of Hope: Sacrificing and ‘Seeding’ for Churchizenship in Johannesburg” drew on ethnographic research to explore the impact of Pentecostal churches on migrant communities. He examined how these Pentecostal churches provide a space of survival for migrants in a city. He analyzed how recent migrants adopt and use “Churchizenship as they seek out identity and belonging. The paper establishes the vibrant Pentecostal presence in Johannesburg and how this offers migrants a sense of belonging\, protection\, and hope based on a sense of planting to receive. The presentation elicited positive feedback\, with some fellows and mentors suggesting the need to reflect some more on the relationship between the church and the state and seeking further clarification on what hope and belonging meant to migrants in this and other contexts. \nNext\, Dr. Thatshisiwe Ndlovu from the University of the Witwatersrand spoke on her draft manuscript titled “Standing their Ground while Seated: The Birth of Widowhood Activism.” She interrogated readings of widowhood practices in patriarchal societies that often represented widows as hapless victims who suffered from gruesome mourning and funeral practices after the loss of their spouses. Thatshisiwe uses the concept of “ sitting\,” a widowhood rite where widows are traditionally expected to mourn the loss of their spouse by sitting in seclusion\,  while also expressing a sense of loss\, obedience\, subservience\, and humility in silence. This practice of making widows sit in seclusion  was usually followed by the loss of rights to property and\, sometimes\, children. The author argued for a more intimate understanding of the sitting and standing (resistance) and for more importance to be paid to the widows’ agency. She then explained how some widows reassert their agency by “standing their ground\,” thereby subverting the practice of “ sitting” by resisting oppressive widowhood rites and holding on to the legal deeds of their property. The discussion that followed focused on the relevance of the paper to the theorization of African feminism past and present\, the role of other women in some of these practices\, and the importance of contextualizing traditional cultural rites and the significance of post-colonial dynamics in the analysis. \nIn the second session\, Dr. Gloria Naantoe Alli\, of the University of Jos\, presented her draft manuscript on “Beyond hybrid conflict management: Impact of landgrabs on conflict resolution in Central-Nigeria.” The paper applied a political economy-centered analysis in explaining prolonged land-grabbing in Central Nigeria and its impact on ‘hybrid conflict management’ systems\, including the role of state and non-state actors. She examined the drivers of conflict\, including cattle rustling\, religion\, settler-indigene conflict\, land grabs\, and internal displacement and its implications for conflict management. The feedback received after her presentation included the need for a deeper theoretical framing and historicizing the conflict dynamics. \nThis was followed by Dr. Tsitsi Jane Mpofu-Mketwa\, of the Future Water Institute at the University of Cape Town\, who presented her draft manuscript titled “’Vuku’zenzele!’: The pivotal role of agency in alleviating urban poverty\, lessons from Cape Town’s Langa Township women informal traders.” The paper explored the agency of women traders in the Langa Township and disrupted common notions of women’s roles in informal economies\, including the kinds of networking taking place and how women informal traders were organizing themselves and considering the varied forms of cooperation\, collaboration\, and competition. By doing so\, Dr. Mpofu-Mketwa highlighted the critical role of women’s agency in urban poverty alleviation. \nIn the last presentation\, Dr. Kgomotso Samuel Moshugi\, of the University of the Witwatersrand\, presented his draft manuscript titled “Mobility and Dispersed Collaborations through Localisation.” His paper explored performative ways of being and the role of culture and arts in framing peace. It focuses on music in the mobilities and dispersals of people and how these were connected to local peacebuilding. The feedback received pointed to the importance of an artistic approach to peacebuilding and the need to provide a stronger empirical basis for localization for the study. \nDuring the plenary sessions\, several mentors offered broad feedback to all the presenters. The following issues were highlighted: the importance of contributing to existing knowledge in the field\, connecting data to theory\, infusing greater clarity into the framing of research questions and the place of originality in research\, considering the relevance of decolonial frameworks\, and making data speak to specific audiences. Other issues raised included writing on complex subjects or phenomena that change and working on using clear and accessible language. Mentors also shared their publication experiences\, urging young scholars to be intentional with the themes of the journals they submit to. Additionally\, these senior scholars encouraged fellows to aim to publish their papers in highly-ranked publications. \nThe workshop ended on a positive note\, underlined by the presentations by the fellows\, productive peer-to-peer and mentor exchanges\, and feedback aimed at strengthening the manuscripts of the Next Gen post-doctoral writing fellows ahead of submission for publication. \nThe APN-Next Gen program thanks the Next Gen Post-Doctoral Writing Fellows and their mentors for their hard work and dedication to the program.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2023-next-gen-post-doctoral-virtual-writing-fellowship-workshop-november-28-2023/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231130T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231202T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152649Z
CREATED:20231219T201314Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152649Z
UID:10000851-1701331200-1701536400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:66th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association (ASA)
DESCRIPTION:The Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC’s) African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program hosted a panel at the 66th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association (ASA)\, held in San Francisco\, USA from November 30 to December 2\, 2023\, on the theme: “Envisioning Africa in Text and Deed”. The panel was organized under the “Peace\, Law & Security” subtheme of the conference on the topic: “Contestations and Solidarities for Peace and Development in Africa: Towards Conflict Transformation and Security?.” The panel was an opportunity for former fellows of the program to showcase their research findings\, connect with peers from across the world\, and receive feedback from conference participants. It was a well-attended event\, featuring a set of excellent presentations\, followed by a highly engaged Q & A session with members of the audience.   \nIn the first presentation on “Justice as Utu: The Theory and Practice of Alternative Systems in Kenya\,” Dr. Steve Akoth (2012 Next Gen Doctoral dissertation completion fellow) explored Kenya’s homegrown procedures and institutional practices for administering and achieving justice by adopting a moral and human-centered approach known locally as Utu. He discussed the efficacy of Utu by drawing on the case of widows seeking justice\, including how Utu enabled some to gain dignity and acceptance within their families and communities.   \nDr. Simbarashe Gukurume (2015 Next Gen doctoral dissertation research fellow; 2021 APN IRF fellow) spoke on “The market is mine too:’ Youth Contestations\, Violence\, Conviviality at an Urban Market in Harare\, Zimbabwe.” His presentation explored ongoing contestations over ownership of spaces in an urban market in Zimbabwe’s capital city. He explores how violent conflict within urban markets also reflects political cleavages\, including within various levels of municipal boards. The paper also examines the role of local peacemaking and peacebuilding initiatives that seek to mediate and resolve such conflicts\, including the holding of sports events featuring teams formed by youth to foster peaceful co-existence\, harmony\, and reconciliation within urban markets in Harare.  \nThe third presentation by Dr. Muema Wambua (2019 Next Gen doctoral dissertation research fellow and 2020 Next Gen doctoral dissertation completion fellow) spoke on “African Union (AU) Infrastructure for Peace in Regional Interventions: Gaps\, Challenges and Opportunities.” The presentation examined the AU’s peace intervention initiatives in different states and subregions of the continent\, and the extent to which such initiatives have effectively responded to emerging threats to peace and security. His presentation also unpacked how the competing interests of AU member-states have delayed\, worked against\, or undermined such peace interventions. He also made recommendations directed towards implementing a set of reforms aimed at strengthening the capacity of the AU to intervene in conflict situations\, arrest the slide towards democratic regression\, and reinvigorate the participation of non-state actors in implementing the goals of peace infrastructure established within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).   \nDr. Ophelia Soliku (2022 APN IRF fellow) gave a presentation on “Navigating Conservation Conflicts: Historical Roots and Power Structures Shaping Conflicts and Peacebuilding in Ghana’s Premier Conservation Areas.” Her presentation addressed the conflicts in communities surrounding one of Ghana’s premier nature conservation parks\, the Mole National Park. Based on her analysis of the conflicts between local communities and the authorities of the national park over access to and the management of natural resources\, she emphasizes the need to go beyond ad-hoc investigations of the sources of conflict and the efficacy of mitigation strategies\,  by making a strong case for more holistic and comprehensive studies of the history\, antecedent factors and power structures that drive conflict as important steps towards building sustainable peace in Ghana’s Mole national park and similar conservation areas.     \nThe panel concluded with a lively panel-audience interaction\, which made clear that the presentations and the questions raised around conflict\, peacebuilding\, natural resource governance\, peace\, security\, and development in Africa elicited insightful responses from the panelists. The discussions also allowed panelists to refine their concepts\, analyses\, and conclusions\, respond to questions posed by members of the audience\, and clarify their research findings\, including their implications for scholarship and policy.  \nOver the three days of the conference\, APN and Next Gen fellows also participated in other panel discussions at the ASA conference\, formed new networks and collaborative relationships among peers and colleagues from across the global scholarly community. 
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/66th-annual-meeting-of-the-african-studies-association-asa/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231202
DTSTAMP:20240102T211444Z
CREATED:20231201T174336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240102T211444Z
UID:10000843-1701388800-1701475199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2023 College and University Fund Conference: Social and Behavioral Science as R&D
DESCRIPTION:Social and Behavioral Science as R&D\nDecember 1\, 2023\nAs a capstone to the Council’s Centennial year\, this convening of the member institutions in the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences brought together leaders of universities\, philanthropic foundations\, and public funders of science to celebrate the achievements of 100 years of socially valuable social and behavioral science\, and to explore new opportunities for social and behavioral science R&D to find cost-effective and scalable solutions to our most pressing societal challenges. A full summary of the event is below. \nFor more information about the conference or about the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences\, please contact Lisa Marshall\, Director of Strategic Partnerships\, at marshall@ssrc.org.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2023-college-and-university-fund-conference-social-and-behavioral-science-as-rd/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231202
DTSTAMP:20231023T160139Z
CREATED:20230908T202438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231023T160139Z
UID:10000841-1701388800-1701475199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2023 College and University Fund Conference: Social and Behavioral Science as R&D
DESCRIPTION:Social and Behavioral Science as R&D\nDecember 1\, 2023\nAs the Council’s Centennial year draws to a close\, this convening of the member institutions in the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences will bring together leaders of universities\, philanthropic foundations\, and public funders of science to celebrate the achievements of 100 years of socially impactful social and behavioral science\, and explore new opportunities for social and behavioral science R&D to find cost-effective and scalable solutions to our most pressing societal challenges. \nThis one-day convening will feature a conversation about opportunities for member institutions in the College and University Fund to collaborate with the National Science Foundation on mapping and accelerating the economic impacts of research-led innovation; new university/researcher partnerships to find interventions that widen the innovation pipeline; and\, as a capstone to the Council’s Centennial year\, a conversation among the Council’s seven founding disciplines about 100 years of socially impactful work in the social and behavioral sciences\, as well as opportunities for further advances. \nThis convening will be held on Friday\, December 1\, 2023 at the Harold Pratt House in New York City. The program will run from 11:00am-5:00pm\, with a reception immediately following from 5:00-7:00pm. \nFor more information about the conference or about the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences\, please contact Lisa Marshall\, Director of Strategic Partnerships\, at marshall@ssrc.org.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2023-cuf-college-and-university-fund-conference/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231202
DTSTAMP:20231012T152819Z
CREATED:20230404T012857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231012T152819Z
UID:10000825-1701388800-1701475199@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:2023 College and University Fund Conference: Social and Behavioral Science as R&D
DESCRIPTION:Social and Behavioral Science as R&D\nDecember 1\, 2023\nDecades of investments in science and technology R&D have led to remarkable innovations\, including safe and effective vaccines and efficient clean energy solutions. These innovations hold the promise of healthier\, more sustainable\, and more prosperous societies. But in order to fully realize that promise\, we also need social and behavioral science R&D aimed at identifying interventions\, programs\, and policies that motivate decision makers to act in socially beneficial ways. \nAs the Council’s Centennial year draws to a close\, this convening of the member institutions in the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences will bring together leaders of universities\, philanthropic foundations\, and public funders of science to celebrate the achievements of 100 years of socially impactful social and behavioral science\, and explore new opportunities for social and behavioral science R&D to find cost-effective and scalable solutions to our most pressing societal challenges\, including those currently facing universities. \nThis one-day convening will feature a conversation about opportunities for member institutions in the College and University Fund to collaborate with the National Science Foundation on mapping and accelerating the economic impacts of research-led innovation; new university/researcher partnerships to find interventions that widen the innovation pipeline; and\, as a capstone to the Council’s Centennial year\, a conversation among the Council’s seven founding disciplines about 100 years of socially impactful work in the social and behavioral sciences\, as well as opportunities for further advances. \nThis convening will be held on Friday\, December 1\, 2023 at the Harold Pratt House in New York City. The program will run from 11:00am-5:00pm\, with a reception immediately following from 5:00-7:00pm. \nFor more information about the conference or about the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences\, please contact Lisa Marshall\, Director of Strategic Partnerships\, at marshall@ssrc.org.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/2023-college-and-university-fund-conference/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240202
DTSTAMP:20241213T152639Z
CREATED:20240326T155829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152639Z
UID:10000859-1706486400-1706831999@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:APN and Next Generation Writing and Dissemination Workshop\, January 29 – February 1\, 2024
DESCRIPTION:Addis Ababa \nFrom January 29th to February 1st\, 2024\, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC)\, in partnership with the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University (AAU)\, hosted a Writing and Dissemination Workshop for the 2023 cohorts of APN Individual Research Fellows (IRF) and Next Gen Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and Research Fellows at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa\, Ethiopia. APN and Next Gen Writing and Dissemination workshops provide fellows with the opportunity to meet with mentors and peers to refine their writing skills and explore avenues for publishing their work. \nOn Monday\, January 29th\, the workshop began with opening remarks from Dr. Samuel Kifle\, President of Addis Ababa University. Dr. Kifle welcomed the participants to Addis Ababa and expressed optimism at the opportunities for mutual learning\, while also emphasizing the need for scholars to decolonize their research and apply its relevance to impactful policymaking. Dr. Kifle’s full speech is available to read here. Dr. Fred Palm\, Vice President of Administration and Operations at the SSRC\, then explained the origins of the SSRC and the public policy challenges that it was founded to address. He highlighted how the APN and Next Gen fellows’ work\, from analyzing data to influencing policy\, is the embodiment of the SSRC’s mission. Dr. Palm’s full speech is available to read here. \nFollowing Dr. Palm\, Dr. Cyril Obi\, Program Director of the APN and Next Gen\, welcomed all participants and spoke to the opportunities for personal and academic growth that the coming days held. The final opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Fana Gebresenbet\, Director of IPSS and chair of the workshop’s Local Organizing Committee. Dr. Gebresenbet\, a two-time APN fellow\, expressed excitement for the workshop’s deliberations and discussed the importance that APN and Next Gen workshops held in his development as an early-career scholar. \nProf. Kenneth Omeje then delivered the workshop’s first keynote lecture\, titled “African Perspectives to Peacebuilding? Reflections on Normative Principles and Paradigmatic Imperatives in Research and Publication.” The lecture traced the history of the peacebuilding conceptualization and practice debate and its theoretical groundings\, noting the emergence of an African perspective on peacebuilding. Prof. Omeje concluded with several recommendations for improving peacebuilding research through triangulation and the development of strong\, well-funded peacebuilding journals based at African institutions.  \nIn the afternoon\, APN IRF fellows meet with peers and mentors in their working groups\, while Next Gen Doctoral Dissertation fellows met in thematic groups\, which are organized around commonalities between the mentor’s area of expertise and the subject of the fellow’s dissertation.  \nOn Tuesday\, Dr. Linda Darkwa delivered a keynote lecture titled “Decolonizing knowledge production praxis: critical pathways for governance\, Peace and Security Research in Africa.” The lecture reflected on the legacy of Eurocentric research and knowledge production methods in Africa\, offering a set of recommendations for decolonizing knowledge production including promoting Indigenous languages and critical reflection\, reforming educational curricula\, shifting the dynamics of research and academic engagement\, and additional investment from African governments. Dr. Darkwa then concluded by discussing steps towards decolonization of governance\, peace\, and security research in Africa. For the rest of the day\, fellows and mentors met in workshop groups and discussed their work\, research\, and plans for disseminating research findings. \nWednesday began with the continuation of workshop group discussions\, followed by the commencement of one-on-one sessions\, which give each fellow the opportunity to have the dedicated bilateral attention and guidance of their group’s mentors. In the afternoon\, workshop participants had the opportunity to visit the African Union (AU)\, the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (SSRC) offices at the campus of Addis Ababa University (AAU)\, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum. In the evening\, participants had dinner at the Addis Ababa Mayor’s Office complex and enjoyed traditional Ethiopian food\, coffee\, and cultural dances. \nOn Thursday\, workshop participants engaged in their final one-on-one meetings\, followed by a fellows and mentors panel titled “Strategies for Overcoming Hurdles to Coherent Scholarly Writing and High-Quality Publications.” The panelists were as follows: Rita Abrahamsen\, Steve Akoth\, Stanley Elias Kiswaga\, Medina Moosa\, Hakeem Onapajo\, and Alice Wabule. This panel gave fellows and mentors the opportunity to discuss and debate the successes and challenges that they have encountered in the writing and dissemination of their research from the perspectives of early-career and senior academics. Following the panel\, Dr. Obi and Dr. Gebresenbet closed the workshop by reflecting on the value of the discussions and progress made over the course of the week. Thursday afternoon ended with two optional visits to some local markets and the Addis Ababa Unity Park. \nThe APN and Next Gen program would like to thank all of the fellows\, mentors\, keynote lecturers\, guests of honor\, and the members of the local organizing committee from the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) for their participation\, enthusiasm\, support\, and commitment to the program.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/apn-and-next-generation-writing-and-dissemination-workshop-january-29-february-1-2024/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240229T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240229T160000
DTSTAMP:20240304T213000Z
CREATED:20240129T194508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240304T213000Z
UID:10000854-1709218800-1709222400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Bottlenecks for Evidence Adoption
DESCRIPTION:Event Recording\n \nAbout the Lecture\nRandomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) have become an increasingly used tool for governments to evaluate whether a particular program or improvement to a program could work. But once a government has that evidence\, what determines if they will use it? For my paper on Bottlenecks for Evidence Adoption (with Woojin Kim and Elizabeth Linos)\, we identified 30 cities that had collectively run 73 RCTs with a national nudge unit\, all testing communications interventions to improve specific programs (such as timely bill payment or recruiting a diverse police force). We went back to these cities to find out how many of the results had been adopted and why or why not. We also surveyed experts ahead of time for their predictions and compared thhem to our findings. \nOverwhelmingly\, we found the biggest barriers to adoption were not related to cost or the strength of evidence\, but simply whether the city would have to create a new communication or change an existing one—in other words\, organizational inertia. We also found that experts were overly optimistic about the role of evidence\, and that prioritization by city leadership after the RCT plays an important role. \nIn this talk\, I’ll cover these results\, challenges to pursuing this kind of research\, and talk about how researchers can potentially address bottlenecks to evidence adoption in their research design. \n\nStefano DellaVigna\nStefano DellaVigna is the Daniel Koshland\, Sr. Distinguished Professor of Economics and Professor of Business Administration at the Haas School of Business\, UC Berkeley. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the Econometric Society\, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (2008-10)\, and a Distinguished Teaching Award winner (2008). He specializes in Behavioral Economics and has published in international journals such as the American Economic Review\, the Journal of Political Economy\, and the Quarterly Journal of Economics. He was a co-editor of the American Economic Review from 2017 to 2023.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/bottlenecks-for-evidence-adoption/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240314T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240314T150000
DTSTAMP:20240319T150034Z
CREATED:20240225T213647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240319T150034Z
UID:10000855-1710424800-1710428400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Political Science as Problem Solving
DESCRIPTION:Event Recording\n \nIn this talk\, I will describe how political science researchers can take a problem-solving approach to orienting their work toward social issues. Drawing on a recent book chapter\, I’ll discuss how empirical political scientists can look for and define problems\, and the step-by-step process we go through (often in a series of studies)\, picking the right methodological tools to go from descriptive to causal analysis and intervention testing to find solutions. Along the way\, the kinds of questions we ask are shaped by ethical concerns\, the social value and practical considerations of potential interventions\, and analytical precision. I’ll use examples from contemporary research and my own experience in field experiments to show how we think about going from problems to solutions. \n\nCyrus Samii\nCyrus Samii is Associate Professor in the Wilf Family Department of Politics of New York University. He writes and teaches on quantitative social science methodology\, with an emphasis on causal inference. He is a prominent expert on the design of quantitative field research and social science randomized controlled trials. His applied research has focused on testing strategies to address governance challenges in contexts affected by war. He has carried out field studies in sites across Africa\, Asia\, and Latin America in collaboration with partners including the World Bank\, UN\, USAID\, UK Department for International Development\, and Danish International Aid Agency. From 2019-2023 he was Executive Director of the Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP) network.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/political-science-as-problem-solving/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T120000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152633Z
CREATED:20240423T185125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152633Z
UID:10000860-1711360800-1711368000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Book Launch: Disarmament\, Demobilization\, and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants in Africa
DESCRIPTION:The book launch started with opening remarks and the introduction of the book editor\, Ibrahim Bangura\, and the two discussants\, Dr. Nelson Oppong and Professor Azeez Olaniyan\, by the moderator and director of the SSRC’s APN and NextGen program\, Dr. Cyril Obi. This was followed by an overview of the book by the editor. He explained that the book’s main objective was to highlight the success or failure of Disarmament\, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes in Africa\, and highlight the importance of collaboration and innovative thinking in enhancing the policies and practices on DDR and peacebuilding in the continent. Also of importance were its reflections on the prospects for DDR in Africa in the future. . \nDr. Bangura’s overview was followed by the reflections of some chapter contributors to the book. Irma Specht\, spoke to her chapter on “The Cultural Realities of the White Army in South Sudan and Questioning DDR as an Appropriate Tool\,” by analyzing the history\, evolution and goals of the armed group and its links to the Nuer ethnic group. She noted the shift in its objectives from just protecting cattle\, to obtaining more wealth and protecting its community. Irma argued that the White Army was not a paramilitary group as assumed in policy documents. She concluded that DDR could not be an effective tool in the case of the White Army by pointing out that as an old cultural institution with needs for being armed\, such as protecting the village and animals from armed intruders\, it cannot be demobilized. \nAnother contributor of a chapter titled\, “Somalia: Towards A Fourth Generation DDR?.” Dr. Gibril Sesay explored the complexities of conflicts and DDR in Somalia. He made a case for rethinking and reconceptualizing the use of DDR\, including interferences and approaches to stabilization and peacekeeping in the country. Following his overview of several generations of DDR\, in Somalia\, Dr. Sesay argued that the situation is so nuanced and everchanging that traditional approaches to DDR need to be critically analyzed to address the uniqueness of the situation within Somalia itself. \nIn presenting her chapter on\, “Lessons Learned and Promising Approaches to Gender-Responsive DDR Programming in Africa\,” Dr. Luisa Maria Dietrich-Ortega\, focused on lessons learned from her 20-year long journey as a researcher\, studying gender-responsive DDR. She spoke to the global pattern of the marginalization of women combatants\, even though throughout ancient history\, women have always been present and actively involved in armed groups. Dr. Dietrich-Ortega noted that women’s contributions to DDR have remained low and largely unacknowledged. She encouraged researchers to challenge and question the gendered assumptions underpinning DDR\, including the marginalization of women and girl ex-combatants\, and advocate for greater gender equality in DDR. \nSpeaking to a coauthored chapter contribution\, “From Combatants to Civilians: A Never-Ending Transition in Zimbabwe\,” Dr. Simbarashe Gukurume\, explored\, DDR in Zimbabwe\, focusing on how ex-combatants interacted with the state\, especially in the post-liberation era. He explained how the precariousness of war veterans’ livelihoods makes them easily mobilized by political elites to engage in acts of intimidation and violence\, especially those within the ruling party\, ZANU-PF. Dr. Simbarashe also the established a link between veterans of Zimbabwe’s war of national liberation\, and their post-liberation remobilization by the ruling ZANU-PF party. He\, therefore\, argued\, that the DDR process in Zimbabwe was an incomplete process\, because it focused mainly on demobilization and disarmament\, and not on the reintegration of ex-combatants. \nIn his intervention\, the first discussant of the book\, Professor Azeez Olaniyan\, spoke about silences surrounding damage—physical\, economical\, emotional\, psychological\, suffered in the course of conflict\, and how these narratives are not often captured in several DDR processes in the African continent. He argued that the voices of perpetrators of violent conflict were usually overlooked by the quick-switch series of DDR programs aimed at contributing to ending war\, and underscored the importance of examining DDR from perspectives informed by the experiences of combatants\, both active and non-active. \nThe second discussant\, Dr. Nelson Oppong\, drew attention to the risks inherent in the distinct binaries inherent to DDR—in particular\, the distinction between victims and perpetrators\, illustrating this point by noting the difficulty that could arise when addressing the issue of where to place child soldiers. Similarly\, he critiqued how DDR tends to frame victims as passive\, and perpetrators as people who have agency. Another binary Dr. Oppong identified was the false distinction that DDR makes between violence and non-violence in relation the transition from the conflict to the post-conflict phase. He also advocated for a grounded analysis of\, and repositioning of the discourse around DDR in ways that enables it to complement meaningful democratic engagement. \nThere were particular highlights during the Q&A session. Ibrahim Bangura was asked how the book addressed government complacency in DDR\, especially considering the Nigeria’s\,’ and other African governments’ complacency in reintegrating soldiers into society. He responded by noting that the challenge of disarming Boko Haram lies in the disconnect and absence of synergy between state and federal government approaches to DDR programs for combatants. With no clear strategy for integrating ex-combatants into areas lacking government control\, the risk of a “revolving door syndrome” persists\, undermining any significant DDR efforts. Irma Spect was questioned about addressing the involvement of religious parties in DDR\, focusing on how to address this group within the process. She emphasized the significance of considering both religious and traditional leaders\, noting their roles in fostering forgiveness\, tolerance\, and cleansing within communities. \nFollowing the Q&A session\, Ibrahim Bangura expressed his thanks to the APN team\, chapter contributors\, and discussants. In his concluding remarks\, he noted that some of the points raised would be addressed in his forthcoming book volume.. He highlighted the enduring relevance of studying DDR\, citing ongoing struggles in Somalia\, DRC\, and other African countries. He also pointed to new challenges to DDR represented by the emerging phenomena of violent gangs and cliques in African cities\, particularly in post-conflict settings\, where disillusioned youth are seeking recognition and identity through various means. The event was ended by the moderator who expressed thanks to the editor\, book contributors\, his colleagues\, and attendees.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/virtual-book-launch-disarmament-demobilization-and-reintegration-of-ex-combatants-in-africa/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240418T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240418T160000
DTSTAMP:20240419T165011Z
CREATED:20240408T173019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240419T165011Z
UID:10000856-1713452400-1713456000@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:How Can Scholars Help to Embed Institutions of Public-Sector Change?
DESCRIPTION:Event Recording\n \nThis talk discusses how social and behavioral scientists interested in the applied study of public services can think about ways for their research to have an impact. Professor Moynihan will draw from his experience studying government processes to discuss the purposeful framing of public problems\, and how researchers can design solutions of interest to policymakers.\n \nDonald Moynihan\nDonald Moynihan is the inaugural McCourt Chair at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. His research seeks to improve how government works. He studies the administrative burdens people encounter in their interactions with government\, with the goal of making those interactions simple\, accessible and respectful. At the McCourt School\, he co-directs the Better Government Lab. He is the current President of the Association of Public Policy and Management. Moynihan has presented his research to policymakers at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget\, the World Bank\, the World Health Organization\, the United Nations\, OECD\, the Government Accountability Office\, as well as governments around the world. His writing and research has been cited in President Obama’s and President Biden’s budget proposals.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/how-can-scholars-help-to-embed-institutions-of-public-sector-change/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240522T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240526T170000
DTSTAMP:20241213T152625Z
CREATED:20240627T182243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T152625Z
UID:10000865-1716364800-1716742800@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Africa Peace Research and Education Association (AFPREA)
DESCRIPTION:By Jacinta Maweu \nThe Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Next Generation of Social Sciences (Next Gen) program hosted a panel at the 2024 Africa Peace Research and Education Association (AFPREA) Conference that took place between May 22nd – 26th\, 2024\, at the MS TCDC Training Center in Arusha\, Tanzania. The general conference theme was : Ujamaa\, Ubuntu\, and New Pan Africanisms: The Future of World Peace. \nThe title of the APN and Next Gen Panel was: Connecting Pan-Africanism to Indigenous Peacebuilding in Africa: Challenges and Prospects. It brought together three APN IRG fellows and two Next Gen Fellows. Firstly\, the presentations provided African perspectives to peacebuilding by focusing on the lessons and insights that can be drawn from indigenous African practices and histories/herstories in addressing and critiquing hegemonic peacebuilding discourses. Secondly\, the presenters also explored how indigenous peacebuilding norms and practices can build on opportunities by connecting to the renaissance of Pan Africanisms to advance peace\, democracy\, and sustainable development in Africa. Lastly\, the presentations highlighted the commonalities in the challenges facing the continent’s quest for peace and the potential for homegrown solutions. \nThe first presentation was on Pan-Africanism\, Conventional Peacebuilding and Indigenous Peacebuilding Approaches in Africa: Challenges\, Opportunities and Prospects by Charles Felix Komba (Next Gen 2022 / 2023 /2024). In his presentation\, Charles examined how African indigenous peacebuilding approaches\, coordinated at the grassroots and governed from below\, can become essential platforms for addressing the root causes of African conflicts\, thereby building peace\, promoting solidarity\, and fostering sustainability. He called for indigenous bottom-up peacebuilding interventions and strategies\, which view conflict as a communal concern. \nThe second presentation was on Navigating traditional institutions in conflict resolution: The evolution of The Njuri Ncheke in Eastern Kenya by Dr. John Mwangi Githigaro (APN IRG 2021 and Next Gen 2016 / 2018). His paper focused on a traditional alternative dispute resolution institution\, Njuri Ncheke\, in Eastern Kenya. It analyzed the extent to which Njuri Ncheke can be an efficient and viable alternative for managing and resolving contemporary communal conflicts\, such as land and family disputes. Dr. Githigaro highlighted how Njuri Ncheke is a based non-formal indigenous peacebuilding mechanisms\, which stem from the agency of local grassroots communities. He argued for the inclusion of local peacemakers with a wealth of contextual experiences\, including indigenous conflict resolution structures\, in the ongoing efforts towards building sustainable peace. \nThe third presentation was on Maasai Ethnopolitics and Institutional Literacy Towards Functional Peacebuilding by Benezet Rwelengera (Next Gen 2022 / 2023 and 2023 / 2024). His presentation critiqued the widespread depiction of Africa as a global conflict hotspot\, discursively constructed as needing Western aid and assistance for peacebuilding. He observed that this discourse ignores the inherent capacities of indigenous conflict resolution strategies that existed years before colonial disruptions. Drawing from his experiences with the Maasai pastoral community\, he argued that looking inward could offer insights into situated and integrated ways of peacebuilding. He interrogated the Maasai’s evolving ethnopolitics and institutional literacy to unpack the diverse mechanisms through which the Maasai\, who have been negatively framed as instigators of conflicts\, have maintained functional peace within their communities. \nThe fourth presentation was on Invisibility of Indigenous Knowledge and Philosophies On Peace Scholarship: Empirical Insight from Bibliometric Analysis of African Peace Studies by Dr. Edwin Ngowi (APN IRG 2023). He presented empirical evidence to highlight how western epistemology and thinking overwhelmingly dominate peace and conflict studies in the African context. Using bibliometric analysis\, Dr. Ngowi demonstrated the presence of colonial legacy and dominance of Euro-centric epistemic in peace scholarship in Africa. He presented data from the bibliometric analysis of peace studies published between 1968 and early-2024\, observing the asymmetrical power relationship in knowledge production and dissemination. The results on the authorship of publications showed that scholars from the United States and Western European countries dominate the list of productive and highly cited authors in peace and conflict studies in Africa. He argued that this perpetuates Western-centric ideas and liberal paradigms\, which undermine African epistemologies\, including indigenous knowledge and philosophies on peacebuilding\, which are relegated to the margins of scholarly debates and discussion on peace research in Africa. He therefore called for knowledge decolonization and the promotion of indigenous knowledge and philosophies (such as Ubuntu) in African peace studies. \nThe final presentation was on I am Because We Are? Ubuntuism\, Ethnic Conflicts and the Crisis of Identity in Africa by Dr. Jacinta Maweu (APN IRG 2015 and CWG Fellow 2022 / 2024). Dr. Maweu’s presentation interrogated the challenges and ironies of talking about Ubuntu as a unifying worldview for different ethnic communities in Africa\, including the call to live as “One”\, in the midst of recurrent ethnic conflicts in various countries within the continent. She argued that\, although Ubuntu in the spirit of “I am Because We Are\,” can forge a new African identity based on decolonized consciousness. This ‘oneness’ under certain circumstances could however be narrowly interpreted to mean members of one’s ethnic community or nationality. This paradox can be gleaned from several cases of profiling of ‘Insiders’ and ‘Outsiders’ in inter-ethnic and/or xenophobic attacks across the continent. She concluded by observing that the Ubuntu values of ‘humanness’ and ‘oneness’ can be harnessed by indigenous local peacebuilding cultures to address the recurrent inter-ethnic conflicts in most of Africa. \nAs the moderator\, Jacinta wrapped up the panel discussion by highlighting the interconnected themes in the five presentations that emphasized the need to decolonize peacebuilding in Africa by adopting homegrown local grassroots approaches\, in contrast to the conventional top-down intervention approaches. She also noted that presenters had highlighted the challenges as well as prospects of blending of indigenous peacebuilding principles and practices with a renewed sense of Pan Africanist ideas in to advancing freedom\, peace\, and unity in Africa. \nThere was a 20-minute interactive session with the audience\, which included 70 participants – many of which granted positive feedback to the fellows. It was a great opportunity for the APN and Next Gen fellows to share their research findings with a scholarly audience\, and to network with participants drawn from different countries in Africa\, Europe and the United States.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/africa-peace-research-and-education-association-afprea/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240523T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240523T150000
DTSTAMP:20240524T184642Z
CREATED:20240510T062541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240524T184642Z
UID:10000857-1716472800-1716476400@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:The Evidence-to-Policy Pipeline
DESCRIPTION:Event Recording\n \nRecent years have seen a large increase in the availability of rigorous impact evaluations that could inform policy decisions. However\, it is not enough for evidence to exist: It must also be seen as relevant and correctly interpreted. In this talk\, I’ll share new research (with Aidan Coville and Sampada KC) drawing on experiments conducted with policymakers\, practitioners\, and researchers at World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank workshops. We explored how each of these three groups respond to and weigh evidence when it is presented to them\, and which types of evidence policymakers tend to weigh more heavily. We find greater weight placed on good news than bad\, insensitivity to confidence intervals\, and that policymakers were extremely sensitive to context and whether the evidence or recommendation was produced locally. After presenting results\, I will discuss what researchers can do to make it more likely that their findings are used. \n\nEva Vivalt\nEva Vivalt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Toronto. She specializes in investigating stumbling blocks to generate evidence-based policy decisions\, including both methodological issues as well as how evidence is interpreted and used. Professor Vivalt has published in Science\, the Journal of the European Economics Association and the Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics\, among other outlets. She is a co-founder of the Social Science Prediction Platform — which coordinates the collection of forecasts of research results in the social sciences\, and founder of AidGrade\, a research institute that generates and synthesizes evidence in international development. Professor Vivalt is also a principal investigator on Y Combinator Research’s basic income renewed computer technology RCT and has other interests in labor economics\, development and global priorities research.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/the-evidence-to-policy-pipeline/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240625T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240625T170000
DTSTAMP:20240716T190454Z
CREATED:20240716T190231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240716T190454Z
UID:10000867-1719302400-1719334800@www.ssrc.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Book Launch: America and The Production of Islamic Truth in Uganda
DESCRIPTION:The virtual book launch for America and The Production of Islamic Truth in Uganda\, began with opening remarks and the introduction of the book’s author\, Dr. Yahya Sseremba\, by the moderator\, Dr. Cyril Obi\, Director of the SSRC’s APN and Next Gen Program. \nThere were exactly four speakers: Dr. Yahya Sseremba\, the author and Research Fellow at Makerere Institute for Social Research (MISR) and a distinguished alumnus of the Next Gen program; Prof. Suren Pillay\, Head of African Studies and Linguistics and Director of the Center for African Studies at the University of Cape Town; Dr. Margaret Monyani\, a Senior Migration Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS); and Dr. Jacob Katumusiime\, a Religion and Politics scholar at MISR and a distinguished alumnus of the Next Gen program. Dr. Obi introduced the three discussants and then invited Dr. Sseremba to speak on his book. \nDr. Sseremba thanked Dr. Obi and the APN and Next Gen team for the opportunity to discuss his book. He noted that the book investigates how the war on terror has transformed the postcolonial state in Africa. He explained how power structures in Uganda have changed\, focusing particularly on Islamic education and American-led counter-extremism efforts. He contrasted pre-colonial power dynamics\, which integrated outsiders into the political community\, with modern colonial power\, which perpetually marginalized Muslims. Dr. Sseremba also emphasized how both colonial and post-colonial governments employed indirect rule and violence to exert control over Muslims. He continued by highlighting how current hegemonic American intervention aims to standardize Islamic education\, undermining traditional practices and personal autonomy. He articulated how local Muslim resistance to these reforms challenges and perpetuates the colonial legacy of separate but politically marginalized governance for Muslims. \nThe first discussant\, Prof. Suren Pillay\, praised Dr. Sseremba’s book for delving into the particularities of Ugandan colonial and post-colonial history. He admired how the book challenges assumptions in existing literature about Islam in Uganda\, emphasizing its interventionist effort in questioning established theoretical frameworks. In short\, the book “refuses easy binaries\,” offering new ways to understand anti-Islam and anti-Muslim violence. He also noted that the book addressed how dominant narratives around Islamist violence often distort realities within these communities. Prof. Pillay concluded by applauding the book for its nuanced analysis\, its ability to transcend binaries like tradition versus modernity\, and its refusal to adopt oversimplified abstractions. \nThe second discussant\, Dr. Margaret Monyani\, praised the book for its in-depth analysis of the profound impact of war and terror on the post-colonial state in Africa\, focusing on American intervention in Islamic education in Uganda. She highlighted three key messages: the transformation of the post-colonial state from indirect governance to direct state control over Islamic life; the critical examination of U.S. foreign policy in countering extremism during the War on Terror; and the urgency of local Muslim communities in responding to external interventions by modernizing education. She appreciated the book’s interdisciplinary approach that combines historical analysis\, theoretical frameworks\, and critical examination of contemporary interventions\, but noted the lack of indigenous African perspectives and gender analysis. \nThe third discussant\, Dr. Jacob Katumusiime\, described the book as a crucial reminder of the lasting impact of colonialism on Islamic thought and education in Uganda. He compared American intervention to the British colonial mission\, both aiming to control Islamic practice under the guise of a “civilizing mission.” He questioned how contemporary Muslim thinkers can imagine an identity beyond colonial modernity and considered the dominance of Saudi Salafi interpretations. Jacob also pondered whether non-Muslims could contribute to Islamic scholarship. He ultimately argued that the book is a powerful critique of colonialism and a call to decolonize Islamic thought and state institutions. \nThere were particular highlights during the Q&A session. Habib Uthuman Mailamung asked Dr. Sseremba about Muslims’ subjective interpretations of Islamic teachings to justify violence. Dr. Sseremba responded\, by stating that every interpretation is subjective\, as “the text shapes the believer\, but the believer also shapes the text through their interpretation.” He suggested that understanding how believers might interpret texts to justify violence against the United States\, the Ugandan state\, or particular groups moves us beyond the simplistic view that texts solely control believers’ actions and beliefs. \nAnother participant\, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim asked Dr. Sseremba to what extent the strategies and techniques of governing Muslims in Uganda by the colonial and post-colonial state inform Muslim rebellion or non-rebellion. Dr. Sseremba responded by stating that to grasp violence in Muslim societies\, we must place it within the broader context of political violence and modernity. The modern state embodies an inherently authoritarian and violent structure of power. \nFollowing the Q&A session\, the author and all discussants thanked the APN and Next Gen team for allowing them to discuss the book\, praising it once again for its thoughtfulness and engaging nature. Dr. Obi concluded the Virtual Book Launch by stating that the works of scholars like Dr. Sseremba remind us that there is still resistance\, agency\, and hope in Africa even in seemingly impossible situations. He thanked all the participants in the event for their insightful questions and contributions\, while announcing that another virtual book discussion would be scheduled to hold in a couple of months.
URL:https://www.ssrc.org/events/virtual-book-launch-america-and-the-production-of-islamic-truth-in-uganda/
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END:VCALENDAR