Pathways to Impact
As a Research for Development (r4d) project, we endeavour to go beyond scientific research by using the knowledge we generate to contribute to the reduction of the risk of political instability and conflict in the participating countries and their regional neighbours, by seeking, guiding and facilitating positive change in the way ethnic politics is structured and managed. We pursue this objective via two pathways, one focusing on political change and the other on educational change.
Political Change
On the one hand, we strive to generate impact via the targeted dissemination of our findings and recommendations to key social and political stakeholders, in order to raise their awareness of the risks of ethnic exclusion and to encourage evidence-based policy-making in response. We do this by convening different kinds of public fora for discussion and dialogue with, inter alia, political decision-makers, civil society actors, media representatives and academics, who we invite to participate in the various conferences, workshops and seminars organized at our partner hubs.
A SELECTION OF OUR EVENTS
For more events, please see News & Events.
Another important way in which we transmit key findings and insights to policy-makers and other key stakeholders is through our policy briefs and contributions to different media outlets.
Watch an interview by Prof. Hamid E. Ali with Nile TV International on peacekeeping in Sudan external page here.
Educational Change
On the other hand, we aim to foster change by strengthening research and education in the field of ethnic politics and conflict based on the transmission and exchange of scientific knowledge within the academic community. In this regard, our various conferences, lectures and seminars are key in bringing together both faculty and students to discuss issues related to ethnic inequality and conflict. Similarly, our reciprocal north-south scientific visits are a crucial means of facilitating dialogue and collaboration on project-related themes. Another important element has been the creation of specific courses by participating institutions that focus on inclusive development, politics and conflict management, as well as the organization of workshops specifically related to scientific methodology.
Finally, the project facilitates and supports students who wish to write their Bachelor, Master and PhD research projects on aspects related to ethnic power relations and political stability at the various hub institutions. Through initiatives such as these, we hope not only to anchor research and teaching on the said themes but also to foster the translation of knowledge into local and national politics through the direct participation by researchers and students as current or future intellectual leaders.
EXAMPLES OF MASTER AND PHD PROJECTS CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE PROJECT
Inequalities, Institutions and Development Pathways: A Study on Uttarakhand State, India
PhD project by Mansi Awasthi, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
Abstract: Inequalities become embodied in and are sustained by a range of institutions that make the former 'sticky'. The experience of the Indian state Uttarakhand is chosen as the thesis’ geographic area of emphasis because in one respect, its state and non-state institutions constituted a transition out of inequality traps. On the other hand, they have structured new spatial inequalities, whose workings have negative effects on the disadvantaged regions and excluded social groups. This research attempts to systematically search for pathways to equity and ways of addressing inequality traps through policy processes.
Ethnic Inclusion, Education, Durable Assets and Occupational Opportunities
Master thesis by Nihad Aboud, American University in Cairo, Egypt
Abtract: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of access to durable economic assets, education and occupational opportunities on political inclusion. The study uses aggregated cross-sectional data from the DHS surveys and combines it with data from the EPR dataset to obtain measures of economic, social and political inequalities at the group level. The study assumes that greater economic deprivation leads to reduced political inclusion, whereas access to education and modern occupations increases the likelihood of political inclusion. The main findings of the study suggest a negative effect of relative economic deprivation and access to modern occupations on political inclusion, whereas they indicate a positive relationship between education and political inclusion.
Completed PhD Dissertations
Aghdam, Mohammad. 2019. “Ideology and Ethnic Mobilization: The Change of Intergroup Boundaries and Violence”. University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Awasthi, Mansi. 2019. “Economic Development, Institutions and Regional Context: A Study of Uttarakhand State”. Tata Institute of Social Science, India.
Cottier, Fabien. 2018. “A Climate of Exclusion: Environmental Migration, Political Marginalization and Violence.” University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Hirzel, Mirjam. 2018. “Agency at the Margin: Insights on Tribal Political Engagement in a Context of State Expansion and Conflict.” ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
Kapesa, Robby. 2019. “Perceptions of Inequality and Ethnic Mobilization in Emerging Mining Areas of North-Western Zambia.” Copperbelt University, Zambia
Silwamba, Simusa. 2018. “Ethnic identity and identity politics: Explaining the Increasing levels of Electoral Violence in Zambia.” Copperbelt University, Zambia
Congratulations!