CODESRIA

Abeer Abazeed

She is an assistant professor of political science in Cairo University (Egypt). She did her post-doc fellowship at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), University of Johannesburg (South Africa). She obtained her PhD degree from Leiden University (Netherlands) in the topic of the role of transboundary civil society in hydrpolitics of the Eastern Nile Basin by applying the social network analysis. She has published a number of research papers in Arabic and English covering topics of Nile politics, transboundary civil society, and African political economy.

 

Howida Abdelaleem Saleh Fouda

She is a lecturer at the department of Physical Therapy for Internal Diseases, 6th of October University (Egypt). She has a PhD degree in physical therapy for cardiovascular/respiratory disorder and geriatrics, Cairo University, 2022. Thesis entitled ‘Siwan traditional therapy versus therapeutic exercise on pulmonary function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis’. Based on her academic research, she founded Afia Initiative for Traditional Therapy on February 2014 to do conduct community-based research. She is also founder and coordinator of Knowledge Sharing Initiative, Egypt, Manager of “cultural documentation project of El-Ababda and El- Besharia tribes in eastern desert in Egypt” funded by Masr Elkheir foundation (2013- 2017). Besides her publications in physical therapy field, she is the author and co-editor of book ‘Nas El Ganoub “Folk of the South: socio-cultural documentation of the Southern Red Sea Region”, funded by Misr Elkeir Foundation and Housing & Development Bank 2018). Additionally, she is a researcher in Rwaq Elhassan Ibn Elhusum, Ahl Elsofa Academy for Sufism and Islamic Traditional science, Elbeit Elmohamdy Foundation since 2023.

 

Mosaab El Zayyat

Mosaab El Zayyat is a researcher focused on political ecology, pastoralism, and indigenous knowledge systems in North Africa. He has conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork with pastoral communities in Egypt’s Southern Red Sea region (Hala’ib and Shalateen) and Siwa Oasis. His research explores how nomadic groups navigate ecological uncertainty and state interventions through mobility, ritual, and intergenerational knowledge. Mosaab is particularly interested in the role of religion and memory in shaping human-environment relationships. His work challenges Nile-centric narratives by highlighting the agency of desert communities and their ecological expertise. He combines qualitative methods with environmental data to inform more inclusive development perspectives. Through CODESRIA’s MRI program, Mosaab seeks to amplify African-centered approaches to ecology, resilience, and knowledge-making. 

Agnes G. Kapinga

Dr. Agnes G. Kapinga is a lecturer at the Tengeru Institute of Community Development in Tanzania. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Management, a Master’s in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Management. Her academic background has equipped her with a solid understanding of the interlinkages between environmental systems, economic dynamics, and social justice. Her research focuses on human–nature interactions and identifying strategies to address the challenges arising from these relationships. Dr. Kapinga has worked with various organizations, including ActionAid, IUCN, and UNEP, as well as the private sector through Cambridge Education Ltd. In government, she has served as a lecturer, researcher, and consultant. Over the past few years, her interest has deepened in the area of climate change resilience and Natural resource governance. Agnes is committed to supporting practical and inclusive approaches for sustainable development.

 

Rose Haynes Kiwia

Dr. Rose Haynes Kiwia, a dynamic and skilled Lecturer with more than 15 years of experience in teaching, research and consultancy in Tanzania. Specialized in Community Development, Human Rights, Indigenous People, Pastoralist Communities, Lobbying, and Advocacy. She has applied her expertise in Community, Civil Society Organizations and Government institutions to shift mindsets and improve performance She is enthusiastic team player with a strong work ethics dedicated to the process of improving the lives of indigenous communities. She holds a Ph.D. in Rural Development from Sokoine University of Agriculture, an MBA in Marketing Management from Mzumbe University, and an Advanced Diploma in Community Development from Community Development Training Institute-Tengeru

 

Ochuka Molly

Dr. Molly is a climate adaptation and resilience specialist with over a decade of experience in research and consultancy. She holds a Ph. D and MSc. in Environmental Management and a B.A in Geography. Currently, Molly serves as a consultant with Adaptation Consortium and an associate Lecturer at Bomet University. Her work focusses on strengthening climate finance, governance and advancing Locally-Led Adaptation(LLA). She has contributed to climate policy processes in Kenya including Kenya’s first Adaptation Communication to the UNFCCC and Community Carbon Market Guide. Her expertise includes climate adaptation, resilience and governance. Molly has consulted for institutions such as the World Bank, European Union, GIZ-Kenya and Civil Society Organizations such as Haki Nawiri Afrika and Akina Mama wa Afrika (AmWA). Molly is a member of professional platforms where she advocates for climate finance access to the local communities and the achievement of SDGs.

 

Faustina Aapagr Naapane

Faustina Aapagr Naapane is a third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Ghana and an Assistant Lecturer at Accra College of Education, where she teaches English Language Studies. She holds an MPhil in Linguistics from the University of Ghana, during which she investigated interrogative constructions in Dagara, a language spoken in northwestern Ghana.

Her research interests lie in syntax, morphology, sociolinguistics, and, with a particular focus on Dagara, an under-described language. Her current doctoral research explores the grammar of personal names in Dagara, with emphasis on the interface between linguistic structure and cultural identity. She is passionate about preserving indigenous languages and worked as a Team Lead on the University of Ghana Speech Data Project on Ghanaian Languages.

 

Gérard Millogo

Gérard Millogo is an Assistant Professor at the University Lédéa Bernard Ouedraogo in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso. He holds a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and African language description at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Burkina Faso. His domain of specialization is Applied Linguistics and language description and revitalization. Gérard Millogo is passionate about preserving endangered languages and promoting indigenous languages. He is one of the recipients of the research grant in 2022 called “Projet d’Appui à l’Enseignement Supérieur”, awarded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Burkina Faso. Gerard Millogo also has over 11 years of teaching experience, including six years in secondary education and 5 years at the university level. He has published on dialects and identity loss in Burkina Faso, as well as on the morphology of Sogokiré, a minority language in Burkina Faso.

 

Alain Noindonmon

Alain Noindonmon Hien is an Assistant Professor in African linguistics and culture at the University Lédéa Bernard Ouedraogo in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso. He holds a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in International Cultural Studies from Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan). His research interests include the syntax of African languages, Burkinabè cultures, the relation of language, culture, and national development, and the effects of terrorism on the promotion of African languages and cultures. Alain N. Hien has received a few grants and fellowships in support of his research, including the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for graduate research and the postdoctoral Fellowship for research of Pôle d’Excellence Africain/Africanmultiple. He is also the winner of the Prix d’Excellence Jeune Scientifique in Letters, Language, Arts and Communication (granted by the Government of Burkina Faso in 2024).

Angèle Flora Mendy

Angèle Flora Mendy is a research professor in the Department of Sociology at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, Senegal. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences, as well as degrees from the universities of Lausanne and Geneva (Switzerland), and Saint Louis (Senegal). A specialist in global health and international development policy, Dr. Mendy’s research focuses on the migration and mobility of African health professionals, the functioning of health systems, and international public health policy. Dr. Mendy has extensive experience in research, collaboration, and international mobility. After receiving her Ph.D. in Lausanne in 2010, she was a visiting research fellow at the International Migration Institute at the University of Oxford, where she conducted postdoctoral research on the careers of African migrant nurses in the U.K. From 2020 to 2022, she participated in the Takemi Fellowship in International Health program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studying the Gambian health system and healthcare provision to the population. She then collaborated with Professor Jesse Bump on the historical roots of health inequalities, the logic of resource domination, and knowledge control in global health in Africa. Dr. Mendy is also a visiting lecturer and faculty lead in applied research projects at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Tatiana Mbengue

Tatiana Dieye Pouye Mbengue received a Ph.D. in sociology. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher with the Gaston Berger University team as part of the “DigiSen” project, which focuses on digital policies, infrastructure development, and youth participation in Saint-Louis and Ziguinchor. Her PhD research, which focused on health and young people, examined how young women use the emergency contraceptive pill. This study illustrates how young people’s use of digital technology in the health field is changing their relationship with knowledge, particularly the circulation of information about medications. Dr. Mbengue’s current research focuses on young people’s use of digital technology and their digital civic participation. Her professional experience has led her to work as a consultant on gender and gender-based violence (GBV). She is a member of the Laboratoire des Études et Recherches sur le Genre, l’Environnement, la Religion et les Migrations (GERM) at Gaston Berger University.

 

Sadio Ba Gning

I am currently a sociology professor at Gaston Berger University in Senegal. My doctoral and postdoctoral research involved analyzing the structure and impact of social networks on the informal economy, intergenerational solidarity in aging, and health behaviors in Senegal. For two years, I collaborated with the PI and IRD on the Niakhar Social Networks and Health Project (NSNHP), of which GW was the primary recipient. During this time, I helped design the study and directed the collection and analysis of 100 qualitative interviews about health practices among members of the Niakhar Demographic and Health Surveillance System (NDHSS) population.

 

Fatoumata Bah

My name is Fatoumata Bah. I am a nurse-midwife with a Master’s degree in Public Health, specializing in public policy. I practiced as a nurse-midwife until 2005, when I transitioned to academia. I was appointed at the Gambia College School of Nursing and Midwifery, where I advanced from assistant lecturer to lecturer to senior lecturer to principal lecturer and finally to head of school. Currently, as head of the school, I engage in both teaching and administration. I have taught and mentored many nurses and midwives who are currently in various roles and positions in the health sector, both in and outside of the country.

Scholarship Achievements

• Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Nursing
• Harvard Chan Burdett Trust Fellow
• GamRemti Scholar

 

Augustin PALE

Pr Augustin PALE est docteur de l’Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis (France). Il est Professeur Titulaire en Anthropologie au Département de Sociologie de l’Université Joseph KI-ZERBO de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Responsable du Laboratoire Société Mobilité et Environnement (LASME), il est aussi membre du Laboratoire Mixte International MOVIDA (Mobilités, voyages, Innovations et Dynamiques dans les Afriques méditerranéenne et subsaharienne). Il est auteur de plusieurs livres et articles scientifiques et a encadré une dizaine de thèses de doctorat qui ont porté sur des sujets variés. Il est, depuis 2019, Commissaire à la Commission nationale des droits humains (CNDH) du Burkina Faso.

 

Didié Armand ZADOU

Didié Armand ZADOU est Enseignant-Chercheur, Maitre de Conférences en Anthropologie biologique au Département de Sociologie et d’Anthropologie à l’UFR Sciences Sociales et Humaines (SSH) de l’Université Jean LOROUGNON GUEDE (UJLoG) à Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire). Il assure la Direction et la Co-Direction de plusieurs Thèses de Doctorat en Anthropologie et en Sociologie à l’UJLoG, à l’Université Alassane Ouattara (UAO) à Bouaké et à l’Université Félix Houphouet-Boigny (UFHB) à Abidjan. Par ailleurs, Didié Armand ZADOU est Chercheur associé au Programme de Recherche et Actions pour la Sauvegarde des Primates en Côte d’Ivoire (RASAPCI), un Programme de conservation de la biodiversité, du Département Recherche et Développement au Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS). Il est auteur de plusieurs articles de recherche et communications scientifiques parus dans des revues nationales et internationales portant sur les thématiques du développement local et de la gestion durable des ressources naturelles à base communautaire.

Anciennnement Chef du Département de Sociologie et d’Anthropologie de septembre 2017 à janvier 2023, Didié Armand ZADOU est depuis février 2023, le Directeur de l’UFR SSH à UJLoG.

 

Kouassi Bruno KPANGUI

Dr Kouassi Bruno KPANGUI est Maître de Conférences en Botanique à l’Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé (Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire). Ses activités de recherche portent sur le suivi de la dynamique spatio-temporelle des paysages tropicaux, la conservation et la restauration de la biodiversité des habitats anthropisés. Il est gestionnaire de la base de données nationale des herbiers de Côte d’Ivoire et également porteur et chercheur associé à des projets de recherche et de développement. Il a plus de 10 ans d’expérience en tant qu’expert en évaluation environnementale, conception et mise en œuvre de plans de conservation et de restauration de la Biodiversité dans différentes secteurs d’activités et pour différents acteurs. Il est membre permanent du Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Ecologie du Paysage et en Environnement (GRIEPE), Daloa et chercheur associé au Centre National de floristique (CNF), Abidjan.

 

Alexis KABORE

Dr Alexis KABORE est un socio-anthropologue burkinabè. Titulaire d’un Ph.D. de l’Université de Genève (Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales et du Développement), il est présentement enseignant-chercheur, Maître-Assistant, au Département de Sociologie de l’Université Joseph KI-ZERBO de Ouagadougou. Ses recherches et enseignements portent sur les dimensions sociales et économiques de l’environnement, des ressources naturelles et des aires protégées et conservées. Il totalise trente ans de recherches et treize ans d’enseignement et d’encadrement d’étudiants, de communication et de publication d’articles scientifiques sur la thématique. Il a conduit ou pris part à des expertises nationales et internationales dans ce domaine. Il est membre d’une association active sur le terrain avec les acteurs locaux dans la réalisation d’actions de conservation de la biodiversité à travers le Burkina Faso. Il est, depuis, 2022, le chef de Département de sociologie.

 

 BANJAQUI NHAGA

Doutor, em ciências Sociais (2018); Mestre em ciências sociais (2013); graduação em Ciências Sociais todas pela Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (2010) com área de concentração em Ruralidades, Políticas Públicas e Desenvolvimento Sustentável; Especialista em Gestão Financeira, Auditoria e Controladoria (MBA 2013), Formação em Energias Renováveis: energias e mudanças climáticas (ONU) 2016. Tem experiência na área de Sociologia, com ênfase em Sociologia do Desenvolvimento e metodologia científica. Membro do Grupo de Pesquisa SOCIATOS (CNPq, BRASIL). 10 anos como Docente universitário no Brasil 2013 a 2023. Professor universitário. Funcionário do Ministério das Pescas e Economia Marítima; Investigador da ONG Voz di Paz; Investigador e Vice-Diretor do IGPAD.

 

Boaventura Rodrigues Vaz Horta Santy

Boaventura Rodrigues Vaz Horta Santy é pesquisador e acadêmico com doutorado em Ciências daEngenharia Ambiental pela Universidade de São Paulo. Possui mestrado e bacharelado em Sociologiapela UFSCar, Brasil. Tem mais de uma década de experiência em pesquisa, coordenação de projetos edocência, com forte foco em mudanças climáticas, vulnerabilidade social e desenvolvimento rural.Atuou como pesquisador permanente no Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisa (INEP). Foiconsultor para diversas agências das Nações Unidas. Coordenou importantes projetos dedesenvolvimento em todo o país, promovendo os direitos humanos e a resiliência ambiental. É tambémautor publicado e professor universitário, comprometido com a produção de conhecimento e atransformação das comunidades. Fala português e inglês.

 

Jamila Lemuela do Nascimento Nhaga Bathy

Jamila Lemuela do Nascimento Nhaga Bathy, mulher de 43 anos de idade, guineense, casada, mãe de dois filhos. Médica Licenciada pela Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra (2000-2006). Especialista em Medicina Interna-CH de Setúbal (2008-2013). Pós-graduada em Saúde Tropical, IHMT – Nova de Lisboa (2009-2010). Especialista em VIH/SIDA -Mark Wainberg-Fellow (2021-2023) -IHMT-Nova de Lisboa e CISM-Moçambique. Possui uma vasta experiência Nacional e Internacional em Saúde Pública e Medicina Interna com foco em doenças transmissíveis e VIH/SIDA. Tem exercido vários postos de liderança no setor de saúde guineense desde 2017. Foi Docente Universitária e tem colaborado com as Universidades na orientação de estudantes a nível nacional e internacional. Pesquisadora no IGPAD. É proativa, líder, criativa, trabalha bem em equipa e focada nos resultados.

Vanito Ianium Vieira Cá

É graduado em Ciências Sociais (bacharelado e licenciatura), com ênfase em Ciência Política e Sociologia. Especialista em métodos qualitativos, possui pós-graduação em Direito do Estado, mestrado em Política Social e Serviço Social e doutorado em Psicologia Social e Institucional (UFRGS). Coordena o Conselho Científico do Instituto Guinnese de Pesquisa Aplicada para o Desenvolvimento (IGPAD) e atua como investigador na Voz di Paz. É pesquisador associado ao INEP e ao Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde e Trabalho (NEST). Desenvolve pesquisas na área dos direitos humanos, com ênfase na migração, refúgio e saúde do trabalhador.

 

Sueli Helena Rocha Lopes Santy

Sueli Helena Rocha Lopes Santy é mestre em Administração de Empresas(EAESP/FGV), especialista em Gestão da Produção (UFSCar) e graduada emAdministração Pública (UNESP). Atua com pesquisa aplicada e consultoria, comampla experiência em gestão pública, políticas sociais e projetos dedesenvolvimento. Na Guiné-Bissau, trabalhou com o Instituto Nacional deEstudos e Pesquisas (INEP), ONGs, PLAN INTERNATIONAL e agências da ONU.Domina ferramentas como SPSS, CsPro e Excel. É reconhecida pela sua atuaçãocomprometida, capacidade técnica e dedicação à construção de soluçõesbaseadas em evidências. Atualmente, é Diretora Executiva do InstitutoGuineense de Pesquisa Aplicada para o Desenvolvimento (IGPAD), liderandoiniciativas voltadas à geração de conhecimento e fortalecimento institucional.

 

Celso Monjane

I am a Lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand, with a background in both Political Economy and Data Science. My teaching covers both areas. My main research interest lies in the political economy of resource-led development and elite business interests. I work with mixed methods, both qualitative and quantitative. On the quantitative side, I use techniques such as statistical modelling, natural language processing, social network analysis, and spatial data analysis

 

Chambi Chachage

Chambi Chachage is an assistant professor at Howard University where he teaches courses on ‘African Systems of Thought’, ‘Social Media and the African World’, and ‘Introduction to Contemporary Africa’. He holds a PhD (African Studies) and AM (History) from Harvard University, MSc (African Studies) from the University of Edinburgh, BSocSci (Psychological Studies) and BA Honors (African Studies) from the University of Cape Town (UCT). With Annar Cassam, he is the editor of Africa’s Liberation: The Legacy of Nyerere. His forthcoming book entitled Africanizing Capital: Emergence of Black Entrepreneurs in Eastern Africa is expected to be published in 2026/2027. He is also the founder of www.udadisi.com, a multimedia e-platform for critical views on African issues

 

Nancy Rushohora

Nancy Rushohora is a Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Her research focuses on urbanism, the legacies of enslavement, colonialism, and decolonizing heritage practices. Her work critically examines how the past is remembered and represented, especially in places shaped by displacement and loss. She has contributed to regional and international projects exploring memory, identity, and resilience in postcolonial landscapes. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges archaeology with heritage, oral histories, and public engagement. She advocates for inclusive narratives that center African voices in reconstructing the past. She also mentors young scholars and promotes African-led scholarship in archaeology and heritage studies.

 

Caeser Bita

Dr. Caeser Bita is an Underwater and Marine Cultural Research Scientist working for National Museums of Kenya and Head of the Department of Coastal Archaeology at Fort Jesus World Heritage Site in Kenya. He holds a B.A degree in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi, a M.A and PhD in Archaeology from the University of Dar es Salaam and a Professional Diploma in Underwater Archaeology from the Underwater Archaeology Center in Beijing, China. Bita has a Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Heritage and Museum Collections from University of Nairobi. He has undertaken many archaeological surveys and managed several archaeological projects in Kenya and Tanzania and published severally in many international journals and books. Dr. Bita has presented papers in many international professional underwater archaeology conferences. In collaboration with UNESCO, has managed several sub-Saharan Africa regional training workshops on underwater cultural heritage management. Dr. Bita is the Holder of the 2019 Golden Trident D’Oro Award from the International Academy of Underwater Sciences and Techniques for his work as a scientific diver and underwater archaeologist. Currently, he is the coordinating terrestrial and underwater archaeological research and underwater cultural heritage management in coastal Kenya. He is interested in the maritime and underwater archaeology of the Western Indian Ocean Seaboard, the archaeology of Africa and underwater cultural heritage management.

 

Cecylia Mgombere

Cecylia P. Mgombere is an Assistant lecturer in the History Department of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Cecylia’s area of interests is Archaeology, Archaeobotanical, Food History and Cultural Heritage. She has worked with archaeologists, archaeobotanists and local heritage institutions such as the National Museum of Tanzania. Furthermore, she has collaborated with various cultural heritage experts in both international and national developmental projects, workshops, conferences and other programs. Some of the research projects including the Volkswagen Foundation and Associate Partners research project in Southern Tanzania, and the Archaeological project by a Swedish researcher in Zanzibar. She has won various awards such as Research Assistant MA (Archaeology) Fellowship Award, Prof. Ahmed Fahmy Memorial Speaker Award-Spain, and The British Institute in Eastern Africa Thematic Research Grant.

 

Rehema Chachage

Rehema Chachage works with and through multimedia/multisensory installation, image, sound, olfactory elements, and text. Rooted in divergent, decolonial and feminist perspectives, her research-based, process-oriented, and community-centered practice focuses on alternative and non-canonized knowledge, with an emphasis on knowledge that is community-centered and generated; on togetherness and community building as a means of survival; on forms of subversion and refusal that emerge from the mundane and every day; and on the idea of continuity through citation, naming, and renaming—arguing that citation is a means for repair, re-membering, and, more importantly, refusing erasure. Chachage holds a BA in Fine Art (2009) from the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town; an MA in Contemporary Art Theory (2018) from Goldsmiths, University of London; and a PhD in Practice from the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher on the FWF-PEEK project Harvest Rituals: A Call for Visitation at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

Claudine Hingston
Dr Claudine Anita Hingston is an academic, researcher, gender expert and an advocate for women’s empowerment and rights. She has over twenty years working experience in various institutions in Sierra Leone, United Kingdom and South Africa. She is currently an academic programme leader at MANCOSA, South Africa. Dr Hingston holds a B.A degree, a Diploma in Mass Communication, a Diploma in Cultural Studies, a Master in Gender Studies, and a PhD in Gender Studies. Her areas of interest and expertise are gender, women’s empowerment, leadership, feminism, and Afrocentrism and she has published extensively in these fields. She has been twice recognised for research excellence within her academic institution. In addition, she has received four awards in recognition of her humanitarian and girls empowerment work and efforts to create meaningful social change in both South Africa and her home country, Sierra Leone.

Luthando Ngazile Ngema

Luthando Ngazile Ngema is a Media and Cultural Studies lecturer at the School of Arts, College of Humanities, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She’s interested in urban cultures, representation of gender and race issues in the media, political communication, and communication for development. She hopes to expand her work into multimedia and audiovisual expertise. She also hopes to develop skills in film production management and documentary-making for the media and cultural studies discipline. Luthando recently graduated from her doctoral studies, where she investigated urban social space and how the media in the eThekwini region constructs the inner city and therefore shapes how the city is accessed and lived.

Sindisiwe Ngobese

I hold a Master’s degree in Population Studies, and I am a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. I have over eight years of experience working in academic and research environments, with primary interests in demography, sexual and reproductive health, and community development. Currently, I serve as the Research and Communications Coordinator for a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where I manage the dissemination of research findings and engage with key stakeholders. In addition, I am the Project Manager for a climate change intervention project. My work bridges research, policy communication, and practical program implementation. I am committed to advancing evidence-based strategies that promote health equity and community resilience. I emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to sustainable, data-driven development initiatives that positively impact vulnerable populations.

Sylnata Johnson

Dr Sylnata A A Johnson is a second-year registrar in Psychiatry, currently pursuing her specialist training at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 

Her academic and clinical interests focus on mental health systems in under-resourced settings. She is a published author on physician burnout in Sierra Leone and continues to explore the impact of systemic challenges on mental health outcomes. Dr Johnson is passionate about integrating evidence-based practice with culturally responsive, community-informed approaches. She values interdisciplinary collaboration and is committed to work that is both transformative and contextually relevant. 

In her spare time, she enjoys adventure and reflective reading; she also embraces physical fitness and wellness as integral to her personal life and professional philosophy. 

 

Danita Tshakatumba

Danita Hingston is a Public Health researcher within the Research and Implementation Science Unit at the Health Systems Trust in Durban, South Africa. As a Fulbright alumna, she earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Illinois-Chicago at the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health. Her professional background spans diverse settings, including non-profit organisations, academia, and philanthropy. Danita is enthusiastic about research and advocacy that empowers communities and improves maternal, child and adolescent health outcomes. She also holds a Master of Population Studies and a Bachelor of Community and Development Studies (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 

 

Edith Natukunda

Associate Professor Edith Natukunda – Togboa is a longstanding researcher in  language, linguistics and communication  as they relate to  discourse analysis and the philology of African and foreign languages. She  has applied discourse analysis to research into gender issues, European studies and African  peace and conflict scenarios. She has been lecturing, editing and publishing, translating and interpreting in  both French and English. She has served as Deputy Dean of Arts, Associate Director Institute of Languages, and  Head of Department of European and Oriental Languages, in Makerere University and  Dean of African Studies  in the United Nations affiliated University for Peace in Costa Rica (Sabbatical).  During her second sabbatical (2019-2020) in the University of Connecticut,as a Fulbright scholar, she published  her research work on Ludic Activities in Foreign language Learning: The CAVIF Project in Uganda, Edith Natukunda and Oswald Ndoleriire (ed) Nsemia Publishers Inc.   Her latest publication is a book chapter (2025) “Culture, Gender Roles and Gendered Discourse among the Banyakitara”, in The Cultures of the   Banyakitara, Oswald K. Ndoleriire and Edith Natukunda-Togboa(Eds) Makerere University Printing Press, Kampala.

Everlyn Kisembe

Dr. Everlyn Kisembe is a distinguished linguist and interdisciplinary scholar with over two decades of expertise in language studies, qualitative research, and global health, currently affiliated with Moi University (Kenya) and Indiana University (USA). Holding a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Ghana and multiple master’s degrees in syntax, phonology, and comparative linguistics, Kisembe’s work bridges language, identity, and societal development, with a focus on Africa’s linguistic diversity and its intersection with education systems, culture/indigenous knowledge and health. Kisembe excels in qualitative research, competent in using the Human Centered Design (HCD), Focus Group Discussions, Nominal Group Techniques (NGTs) and NVivo-driven thematic analysis. Her research   projects span across theoretical and applied linguistics, health related research demonstrating her ability to translate linguistic and sociocultural insights into actionable contributions in multidisciplinary projects where she enjoys serving. Kisembe’s leadership roles include co-leading tracer studies for the African Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textile, and Renewable Energy (ACE II PTRE) and serving on curriculum development committees at Moi University. She has secured grants and facilitated training workshops on qualitative research, supervision, and academic writing. Her global engagement is evident through 40+ conference presentations, across the globe. As a founding member of the Language Association of Eastern Africa (LAEA) and editor for Language Policy in Africa, she champions linguistic diversity and policy reform. Beyond academia, Kisembe impacts communities through teacher training programs in Kenya and Ghana, curriculum design for indigenous languages, and roles on NGO boards like CREADIS. Kisembe has a passion and is committed to mentoring others.

 

Zilpah Saul Ombijah
Dr Zilpah Saul Ombijah is a lecturer and researcher specialising in language and communication studies at the University of Dar es Salaam. She holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Essex, a Master’s in Linguistics and a BA in Education, both from the University of Dar es Salaam. Dr Ombijah has extensive teaching experience, currently serving as a Lecturer at the Centre for Communication Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam. Her research portfolio includes research projects on linguistics, language, and communication studies. Dr Ombijah is the Principal Investigator of a University of Dar es Salaam-funded research project on parent-child communication about reproductive and sexual health. She has also co-facilitated a British Academy-funded training program for early career researchers alongside other scholars. Her recent publication entitled “The prosodic and intonational mapping of complex sentences in Luo” (2025), appears in Cogent Arts & Humanities.

 

Ezebunwa Ethelbert Nwokocha

Ezebunwa Ethelbert Nwokocha is a Professor of Social and Medical Demography at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He holds a PhD degree in Sociology and has conducted extensive research in maternal, adolescent and child health, sexuality education, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and policy and governance. In the last two decades, he has supported a number of international and local organizations in strategic development activities, monitoring and evaluation, data quality assessment and control, capacity building and community participatory framework. Professor Nwokocha has a long list of publications in high-impact journals and has supported a number of community-based projects in various capacities, including as a volunteer. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, and member of boards of several organizations. He is a recipient of grants, fellowships and awards.

Fabrice Vidaley TEKOU

Fabrice Vidaley TEKOU est docteur en socio-anthropologie du développement, spécialiste des dynamiques foncières, de l’éducation et de la protection sociale. Il a mené un postdoctorat sur la gouvernance foncière dans les zones agro-pastorales au Sahel, tout en coordonnant des recherches sur les communs, les violences basées sur le genre et l’innovation éducative. Il combine expertise de terrain, dialogue multi-acteurs et appui aux politiques publiques au Bénin, au Burkina Faso, Comores et Madagascar.

Marthe Diarra Doka
Marthe Diarra Doka, sociologue du développement, s’intéresse particulièrement aux questions sociales et de genre. Elle a écrit plusieurs articles sur la gestion du foncier rural et l’éviction des femmes et des jeunes de la terre ; son expertise en foncier l’amène à intervenir dans plusieurs pays de la sous-région (Sénégal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Burundi, Niger etc.). Les conséquences « do no harm » en termes de gestion de la paix et environnement retiennent particulièrement son attention.

Bala Wenceslas SANOU
Bala Wenceslas SANOU dispose d’une expérience solide en matière de développement rural, gestion des ressources naturelles/foncières dans un contexte de changement climatique. Il a travaillé comme conseiller technique chargé du foncier rural avec la coopération technique allemande et néerlandaise. Il a conduit des études dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de la loi 034-2009, portant régime foncier rural au Burkina, à travers un protocole de recherche-action sur cinq années (2020-2025).

 

Florence Munyonyo Asiimwe

Dr. Asiimwe Florence Munyonyo is a distinguished Ugandan scholar, entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable development, gender equity, and social justice. She holds a PhD in Development Studies, a Master’s in Public Administration and Management, a Bachelor’s in Development Studies, and a Diploma in Education. She has also earned several professional certificates in leadership, migration policy, and research methodologies. With over 22 years of academic experience, she currently serves as Head of the Department of Development Studies at Kyambogo University. Dr. Asiimwe is committed to transformative education and has led curriculum development while mentoring many students. Her study, “The Effects of Transnational Labor Migration on Family Dynamics,” intends to explore how migration affects caregiving and family life. It aims to address key challenges faced by African migrant domestic workers in the Middle East. The findings are expected to inform migration policy in Uganda, across Africa, and globally.
She is a prolific author and has published widely on migration, gender, and development.
As a community leader, she continues to champion equity, inclusion, and the rights of marginalized populations.

 

Getahun Fenta Kebede

Dr. Getahun Fenta Kebede is an Assistant Professor of Development Studies in the African Studies Program, College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities at Addis Ababa University. He holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Trento, Italy, and three MA degrees in Comparative Local Development, Economic Geography, and Rural Livelihoods and Development. His research interests include migration, forced displacement, informal labor markets, urban poverty, social protection, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development, reflected in over 20 academic publications. As a peer reviewer for local and international journals, Dr. Getahun has actively contributed to shaping scholarly discourse in these areas. Dr. Getahun has so far secured over $300,000 in research funding from institutions such as the Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), African Academy for Migration Research, the European Commission, and Addis Ababa University, among others. Beyond research, he teaches and mentors graduate students with the aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. His work continues to inform both national policy and global conversations on development, social protection, and human mobility. He has also led more than 30 consultancy assignments for government agencies, UN bodies, and NGOs, bridging academic research with real-world impact.

 

Gilson Lázaro

Gilson Lázaro é Professor Associado do Departamento de Sociologia da Universidade Agostinho Neto e pesquisador do Centro de Estudos Africanos da Universidade Católica de Angola. Ele também é membro do Conselho para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Ciências Sociais na África (CODESRIA) e membro do conselho fiscal da Associação Internacional de Ciências Sociais e Humanas em Língua Portuguesa (AIPCSHLP). É igualmente membro do Conselho Editorial da revista Travessia e co-editor da Anthropology Southern Africa (ASnA).

 

Laura António Nhaueleque

Laura António Nhaueleque é doutorada em Estudos Interculturais na Universidade Aberta de Lisboa em 2019. Concluiu sua experiência de pós-doutorado em Sociologia na Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Brasil), em 2024, com foco em questões de género e diversidade no Brasil e em Moçambique. O seu estudo foi publicado em 2024 pelo jornal Codesria Africa Development. Atualmente, leciona Direitos Humanos no Instituto Superior Dom Bosco, em Maputo (Moçambique), e é pesquisadora associada da Universidade Aberta de Lisboa, em Portugal. É especialista em culturas africanas, com foco especial no norte de Moçambique, bem como em questões relacionadas à participação política das mulheres na vida pública.

 

Luca Bussotti

Luca Bussotti é professor da Universidade Técnica de Moçambique, onde coordena a revista científica da instituição. Especialista em África Lusófona, ele publicou mais de 50 artigos e 20 livros sobre questões relacionadas a Estudos Africanos e Estudos Culturais, com ênfase especial em Política, Descentralização e Gestão de Risco Político. Ele colabora com think tanks como Nigrizia (Itália) e The Conversation (África do Sul e Brasil).

 

Hassane MAHAMAT HEMCHI

Hassane MAHAMAT HEMCHI, de nationalité tchadienne, est urbaniste. Titulaire d’un Master en « Paysage et Évaluation Environnementale dans les Projets d’Urbanisme et de Territoires » de l’Institut d’Aménagement, de Tourisme et de l’Urbanisme (ex-Bordeaux III), ainsi que d’un Doctorat en aménagement de l’espace et urbanisme de l’Université de Bordeaux Montaigne (France), il occupe depuis janvier 2025 le poste de Directeur du Développement et de la Recherche (DDR) à l’EAMAU. Enseignant chercheur au sein de cette institution depuis 2019, il est également Maître-Assistant CAMES en Urbanisme. Ses recherches portent sur les mobilités, la planification et la gestion urbaines. Il est par ailleurs organisateur de plusieurs colloques, forums et séminaires internationaux sur ces thématiques et auteur de 25 articles publiés dans des revues scientifiques internationales à comité de lecture.

 

Abdou KAILOU DJIBO

Abdou KAILOU DJIBO, de nationalité nigérienne, est architecte et géographe urbain. Titulaire d’un Doctorat en Art de Bâtir et Urbanisme de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles, il est Maître-Assistant CAMES depuis 2021. Actuellement enseignant chercheur et Chef de Division Recherche à l’EAMAU, ses travaux portent sur la conception architecturale et les matériaux durables, l’aménagement et la planification urbains ainsi que les services urbains essentiels notamment l’eau potable et l’assainissement. Il a participé à de nombreuses conférences internationales et publié une trentaine d’articles dans des revues scientifiques à comité de lecture.

 

Monica CORALLI

Monica CORALLI, de nationalité béninoise, est Architecte DPLG (1999) et docteur en Géographie (2005). Chercheur membre du Laboratoire Architecture Anthropologie (CNRS-UMR 7218 LAVUE) depuis 2006, elle est maîtresse de conférences CNU en Géographie et Urbanisme. Installée à Lomé depuis 2020, elle est enseignante chercheure à l’EAMAU. Elle a travaillé en tant que consultante en urbanisme dans plusieurs pays, notamment en Haïti, Libye, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Sénégal et Bénin. Lauréate de concours d’architecture et d’urbanisme internationaux, elle expose actuellement à la 19e édition de la Biennale d’Architecture de Venise. Elle est autrice d’une trentaine d’articles et chapitres d’ouvrages scientifiques dont : « La Modernité revisitée par les habitants de SICAP et HLM, Dakar, in Boucheron & Palumbo (eds), 2023, PUSE ; « Revisiting Heritage and Regenerating the City: The Rest as a Resource in Gulf of Benin », in Crespi (ed), 2021, Springer; « Public Space Under Influence, rewriting in progress in Africa », in Crespi (ed), 2020, IGI Global.

 

Guy-Hermann Mawussé PADENOU

Guy-Hermann Mawussé PADENOU, de nationalité togolaise, est Architecte DPLG depuis 1995 diplômé de l’ENSA Toulouse. Il a ensuite obtenu un DEA en « Territoires, Environnement et Aménagement, option Paysage » (1996), puis un Doctorat en Géographie et Aménagement (2003) à l’Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès. Enseignant chercheur à l’EAMAU depuis 2019, il poursuit parallèlement une pratique professionnelle. Ses travaux de recherche s’orientent autour de l’anthropologie de l’habitat et des enjeux de durabilité. Il est l’auteur d’un ouvrage ainsi que de plusieurs articles dans des revues scientifiques et spécialisées en architecture.

 

Léopold GOUTSOP

Léopold GOUTSOP, de nationalité camerounaise, est un artiste et architecte DEIAU formé à l’EAMAU où il enseigne à temps plein depuis 2023. Sa pratique professionnelle croise l’architecture, l’art et l’aménagement urbain, nourrie par une forte sensibilité artistique. Doctorant en développement urbain durable au Centre d’Excellence pour les villes durables de l’Université de Lomé, ses recherches portent sur l’intégration de l’art dans l’espace urbain africain et la production locale comme levier pour une fabrique durable des villes. Il vise à orienter les politiques publiques dans ce sens.

 

Jean LIYONGO EMPENGELE

Jean LIYONGO EMPENGELE est docteur en sociologie, enseignant-chercheur à la faculté des sciences sociales et chercheur au Centre d’Etudes Politiques (CEP), de l’Université de Kinshasa (en R.D.Congo). Il a comme préoccupations de recherche : les questions de sociologie de l’information et de la communication, celles de la vie politique en Afrique postcoloniale ainsi que celles liées à la mémoire (collective) du Congo et de l’Afrique. Ses affiliations à différentes institutions et structures scientifiques (CODESRIA, AISLF, INGSA…) lui ont permis de participer à plusieurs conférences et colloques internationaux en Afrique. Il est, depuis 2021, membre du comité de pilotage de INGSA-Africa (la section/Afrique de International Network for Governmental Science Advice (une structure internationale de promotion du Conseil scientifique aux gouvernements).

 

Josephine Atieno Ochiel

Dr. Josephine Atieno Ochiel holds a PhD in Psychology and is a Lecturer in the Emergency Management Studies department of Masinde Muliro University of science and Technology, Kenya. She also holds an MPhil and B.Ed in Counselling Psychology. She has extensive experience at university level teaching and supervision of research projects. She has received training and fellowship grants from reputable organisations like CODESRIA, the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden, the School of Public Affairs and Policy of the American University, Cairo, PASGR in Nairobi, the International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture & Society (IASSCS) in Spain, and OSSREA in Addis Ababa among others. She is actively engaged in the integration of gender into Climate Action spearheaded by the UNFPA for which she has developed a training module for emergency response personnel. She is a member of the Association of Disaster Management and Conflict Resolution of Kenya and the Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors.

 

Joyce Alusa Onzere

Joyce Alusa Onzere is a licensed Environmental Associate Expert with over seven years of experience in Environmental Management and Disaster Risk Reduction. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science from Chuka University and is currently pursuing MSc in Public Health at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Joyce has consulted for organizations such as World Vision-Kenya and Envertek Africa Consult Limited contributing to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects. She is also an advocate for youth, women, and environmental rights. Her work has reached vulnerable communities across Kenya including informal settlements of Nairobi and Kisumu counties, Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASALs) Baringo and Marsabit counties and, various rural and urban areas through impactful fieldwork and policy support.

 

Bernadette Sabuni

Prof. Eng. Bernadette Waswa Sabuni holds a PhD in Disaster Preparedness and Engineering Management specializing in engineering disaster mitigation by use of alternative and appropriate building materials and technologies. She also holds an MPhil and BSc in Civil Engineering.  She is a Civil engineer by profession, registered by Engineers Board of Kenya and a member of Institution of Engineers of Kenya. She is a member of Association of Disaster Management and Conflict Resolution of Kenya and member of Association of African Women in Science and Engineering. Her research area is in building materials and analysis & design of building structures.  She is the dean of the school of Engineering and Built Environment at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. In the year 2021 and 2025, Prof. B. Sabuni received awards in recognition of her contribution as a woman engineer in academia. She is a champion of quality assurance in academic and research processes.

 

 

Umulkher Abdullahi Ali

Dr. Umulkher Ali is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Director of the Directorate of International Relations and Academic Linkages at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kenya. She holds a PhD in Economics and has received multiple prestigious research fellowships and grants, including the AGNES Junior Female Researcher Grants (2017 & 2021) and the UNESCO/Poland co-sponsored fellowship. She is also a recipient of a CODESRIA Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing in 2013. Dr. Ali has co-led a World Bank and Government of Kenya-funded project on climate-smart agriculture (KCSAP, 2019–2022). She has worked as a consultant for the EU and Somalia’s Ministry of Education on curriculum development. She led a UNESCO-funded project on greening agricultural value chains in East Africa and implemented an ACU-funded gender procurement training project. Dr. Ali has published in peer-reviewed journals and developed learning modules. She is a member of Association of Women in Development, Kenya DAAD Scholars Association and Economist Society of Kenya, and actively supervises MSc and PhD students in economics and development fields.

 

Kais Bouazzi

Born in Tunis (Tunisia) on January 7, 1989, Kais Bouazzi holds a PhD in political and social sciences from UCLouvain (Belgium), where he researched water justice in Tunisia, focusing on governmentality and resistance. He has a multidisciplinary academic background, holding degrees in development studies and water resources from UCLouvain, as well as a national engineering diploma in industrial biology from the University of Carthage (Tunisia). In October 2023, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) for a two-year project on environmental justice and EU-Tunisia free trade agreements.

 

Kathleen Anangwe

Dr. Kathleen Anangwe is a Seniour lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies, and an adjunct at the Centre for Human Rights and Peace – University of Nairobi, Kenya  (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6124-2220). She is a Development Sociologist specializing in the area of social inequalities especially those experienced through social stratification such as gendered realities and post-colonial legacies affecting Africa’s social structures, systems and processes. Her areas of research interest include rights of vulnerable groups, social justice and victimology, economic sociology, and social stratification. Her research examines frameworks in which socio-historical realities determine the ways in which social forces shape hierarchies and social interactions in Africa’s social contexts where inequalities of opportunity and access thrive. She is published and a member of the International Sociological Association (ISA) and Bioethics Society of Kenya.

 

Francis Owakah

Dr Francis Owakah is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi specializes in Practical Philosophy and Human Rights. He is currently the Program Coordinator for Human Rights at the Centre for Human Rights and Peace (CHRP), and Chief Editor, Haki: A Journal of Human Rights. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/hjhr/index. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Nairobi, where he wrote a thesis on ‘The Critique of the Culture of Philosophy in Africa,’ an MA in Philosophy, and a BA in Philosophy & Sociology, focusing on ‘Nyerere’s Philosophy of Ujamaa.’ He is widely published besides supervising, mentoring, and developing innovative programs for the university. He is a Co-editor of Odera Oruka in the Twenty-First Century (2018) and has published in referred Journals besides contributing to book chapters with the latest being ‘Introducing Mudimbe in East Africa: My Experience at the University of Nairobi,’ in Thinking Africa with V.Y. Mudimbe (2025).

 

George Nyongesa

George Nyongesa, a PhD candidate in Philosophy at the University of Nairobi, researches Sustainability Ethics and Energy Transition in Africa, exploring colonial legacies and ethical frameworks for historical rectification. He holds master’s degrees in Public Policy (Kenyatta University) and Philosophy (University of Nairobi), where he serves as an Adjunct Lecturer. His theses on terrorism’s impact on political economy and political corruption’s colonial roots analyze systemic injustices. With 15 years in civil society, his work has been around in corruption, democracy, gender equity, and human rights, consulting for policy think tanks and African Union initiatives on reparatory justice. Nyongesa writes for local and global news outlets, maintaining a strong online presence. His forthcoming book, Aristotle’s Logic for Teens, due July 2025, uses African storytelling to teach logic, centering African epistemologies. His systems thinking approach shapes his research on African futures, proposing innovative solutions for sustainable development.

 

Kehinde Oyesomi

Oyesomi holds BSc (2004), MSc (2006), and PhD (2013) degrees in Mass Communication. She obtained a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Communications from North-West University, South Africa in 2018. She is an Associate Professor of Communicationn and Media Studies snd the immediate past Head of Department, Mass Communication, Covenant University. She is currently the Editor of Covenant Journal of Communication. She has working experience spanning journalism, corporate communications, and teaching. Her PhD thesis focused on women and political communication, and has conducted extensive research in this area over the past 17 years. Her areas of specialisation are: Media, Gender, Health, development and Political communication. Oyesomi is a member of various professional and academic ((local and internaiional) bodies and fora. She is a reviewer and editorial board member for several local and international journals. She has published in several local and international high-impact journals. She has book chapters and three edited books to her credit.

 

Afolayan Aluko

Dr. Afolayan Aluko is an accomplished academic and lecturer. Her areas of specialisation include Health Communication, Political Communication, and Development Communication. With a PhD in Health Communication (with Distinction), M.Sc. in Mass Communication (Broadcast Specialisation, Merit), as well as a First-Class B.Sc. degree in Mass Communication, she has over five years of teaching and research experience. Dr. Afolayan Aluko has published and co-authored various publications in local and international journals and has presented at various academic conferences. She possesses an excellent track record of mentorship as she has successfully supervised over 25 undergraduate research projects. Interdisciplinary research involves her use of media, advocacy public health, and socio-political discourse. Dr. Afolayan Aluko integrates theory with practice, taking into consideration the practical elements of the discipline and making significant contributions to the advancement of communication studies. 

 

Karabo Mohapanele

Dr Karabo Mohapanele holds a PhD in Sociology from North-West University. She is also a recipient of the Erasmus+ scholarship for a PhD student exchange Programme, which she undertook in Justus Liebig University (JLU), Germany in 2019. She worked as a lecturer across different institutions of higher learning in South Africa, including currently at the University of Fort Hare. She also worked as a researcher at Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). She has various individual and co-authored publications; this includes two national research projects reports (including gender-related projects), two policy briefs, two book chapters, and seven manuscripts. She has presented her work at various conferences, symposiums and colloquiums locally and internationally. Dr Mohapanele serves on the South African Sociological Association (SASA) council 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. She is also recently a 2025 TLC Fellowship recipient under the UK PSF.

 

Gloria Eneh Omale

Gloria Eneh Omale is a Lecturer and Media Consultant at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, specialising in Health Communication, Gender Studies, and New Media Research. With over 14 years of experience, she has published extensively on maternal mental health, media technology, and participatory communication. Gloria is a TETFund Research Grant recipient. She actively engages in community empowerment, particularly for women in ICT. Her work bridges academia and practice, focusing on inclusive education and sustainable development. She is currently on a PhD programme in Mass Communication at Covenant University; she combines scholarly rigour with policy-relevant research. She serves as a reviewer for reputable journals and mentors future researchers. Her multilingual proficiency and interdisciplinary approach underscore her impact in media and communication studies. 

 

Noluthando Phungula

Noluthando Phungula is a Lecturer, Researcher, and Programme coordinator for the Governance, Business and Ethics Programme within the International and Public Affairs Cluster, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Noluthando is a skilled researcher with 14 years of experience conducting independent research and leading research group projects at research institutions. Her areas of specialization are: International Relations, Political Violence, Local Government, and Peace and Conflict Studies. She has published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and a book. She is committed to driving growth and continuous improvement in research quality and impact. She is passionate about developing evidence-based policies and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve equitable outcomes. Her focus in academic research directly tackles pressing public issues that sit at the research–policy interface.

 

Liberata Mukamana

Liberata Mukamana is an Associate Professor of Gender and Economics. She holds a PhD in Gender from Makerere University and two Master’s degrees, one in Economics and another in Microfinance. She has more than 15 years of teaching experience at the University of Rwanda where she teaches various courses in the bachelor and master’s programs of Economics and in the master’s of Gender and Development. Prof. Liberata Mukamana has been involved in collaborative research projects aligned with the economic empowerment of women covering a broad range of issues namely: promotion of women’s small scale businesses, access to and control over microfinance loan services, women’s involvement in small livestock farming, use of vaccines for promoting the productivity of women’s livestock, the gendered division of labor and its impact on women’s involvement in income generating activities among others.

 

Alice Mukasekuru

Ms Alice is an Assistant Lecturer at the school of Business, College of Business and Economics at the University of Rwanda. She is pursuing a PhD in management jointly offered by the University of Rwanda and Umeå University, Sweden. Her research is about women entrepreneurship in agriculture focusing on women entrepreneurs’ contribution toward sustainable agricultural transformation. Alice’s research interest is mainly about gender, rural entrepreneurship and sustainable transformation within the context of developing countries. Alice has also been involved in academic exchange program organized by the Key Competence for Practice program through partnership between the University of Rwanda and the University of Koblenz, German.

 

Josephine Mutesi

Mrs. Josephine MUTESI is an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the former National University of Rwanda and a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship from Makerere University, Uganda. She is deeply passionate about promoting entrepreneurship in Rwanda, with a strong focus on empowering women to support job creation and foster a private sector–driven economy. Josephine’s research primarily centers on women’s entrepreneurship. She is currently exploring the role of Self-Help Groups in supporting women entrepreneurs in Rwanda. Josephine has also been involved in academic exchange programs, including the One Health Initiative at Tufts University (USA), the Key Competences for Practice program (a partnership between the University of Rwanda and the University of Koblenz, German), and the AFRETEC initiative.

 

Gilbert Shyaka

Gilbert Shyaka is a business strategist, researcher, and junior consultant. He currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer at the School of Business, College of Business and Economics, University of Rwanda. He is pursuing a PhD in Management with a focus on Innovation Management, jointly offered by the University of Rwanda and Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) at Jönköping University in Sweden. Gilbert holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Banking from Kampala International University in Uganda and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the School of Finance and Banking (SFB) in Rwanda. In addition, he is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and an Authorized Training Partner recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI). His primary research interests lie in entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly within the context of developing countries.

 

Marcelle Aholou

Dr Marcelle G. M. AHOLOU est socio-anthropologue, spécialisée en alimentation, nutrition et santé. Docteure de l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi (Bénin) depuis 2020, elle est affiliée au Laboratoire d’Analyse des Dynamiques de développement, d’Innovation agricole et de Communication rurale (LADICom). Avec plus de dix ans d’expérience en recherche, elle s’intéresse aux dimensions sociales et culturelles de l’alimentation en Afrique de l’Ouest, notamment au Bénin. Ses travaux portent sur les normes culturelles, les représentations sociales, les pratiques alimentaires et les innovations qui influencent les comportements quotidiens. Elle a contribué à plusieurs projets multidisciplinaires et s’efforce de relier savoirs scientifiques et réalités locales.

 

Audrey Hemadou

Mme Audrey O.S. Hemadou est socio-anthropologue de la santé, forte de près de dix ans d’expérience en recherche, analyse et intervention sur les dynamiques sociales liées à la santé en Afrique de l’Ouest, en particulier au Bénin. Titulaire d’un Master en Socio-Anthropologie de l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi, elle est affiliée au LAMA. Ses travaux portent sur l’étude des dynamiques sociales et culturelles influençant la santé et le bien-être, ainsi que sur les normes culturelles, les représentations sociales et les innovations qui façonnent les comportements individuels et collectifs. Elle s’intéresse également à la phytothérapie standardisée et à l’antibiorésistance dans les interactions entre humains et environnement. Ses recherches, menées à travers des approches qualitatives et quantitatives, visent à mieux comprendre les relations entre systèmes de santé formels, savoirs locaux et pratiques sociales.

 

Isabelle Adjoua Kassa

Mme Isabelle A. Kassa est socio-anthropologue, spécialisée en santé communautaire, dynamiques sociales et développement local. Formée à l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi, elle possède une solide expérience en recherche opérationnelle, médiation sociale et participation communautaire. Elle a travaillé avec diverses institutions, dont le Centre Jésuite de Recherche (CREC), l’ESG SERENA, l’ONG NOSPAD-Bénin et l’African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN). Elle a un intérêt marqué pour l’éducation sanitaire et sexuelle, les pratiques de gouvernance locale, l’évaluation des projets et les stratégies d’inclusion des groupes marginalisés. Elle s’investie dans l’analyse des dynamiques rurales, de la cohésion sociale et de la communication institutionnelle. Sa connaissance des réalités sociales, des langues locales et de la gestion participative fait d’elle une chercheuse attentive aux dynamiques de développement. Elle s’illustre par une démarche rigoureuse, ancrée dans le terrain et sensible aux logiques locales.

 

Mutale Tinamou Mazimba

Dr Mutale Tinamou Mazimba is a Postdoctoral research fellow with the International Studies Group at the University of the Free State in South Africa. She holds a PhD in History from the University of Zambia. She has published peer-reviewed articles in international journals such as the Journal of Southern African Studies, the Journal of African Military History and the Zambia Journal of History. She is the author of The Art of Academic Writing (2025) and A History of the Unga People of the Bangweulu Swamps (2021). She also writes fiction novels. Some of her acclaimed novels include Sometimes its Black and White (2024) and Living in Colour (2022). Her research focuses on conflict in the social history of Southern Africa from the 20^th century. She is working on a monograph on Northern Rhodesian Labour during the First World War. Mutale is the recipient of the 2024 JSAS Colin Murray Research Prize. She is a Zambian citizen, temporarily based in South Africa

 

Mathew Ruguwa

Dr Mathew Ruguwa is a post-doctoral fellow with the International Studies Group, University of the Free State. He is a sociocultural and environmental historian who studies dispossession and displacement, climate change, rural livelihoods and natural resource-based conflicts in twentieth and twenty-first century rural Zimbabwe. His research, which relies heavily on oral sources, demonstrates the resilience of the family institution in difficult circumstances.  Ruguwa is currently working on several projects individually as well as in collaboration with colleagues. These include journal articles and book chapters focusing on the themes of climate change, rural livelihoods, and natural resource-based conflicts in rural Zimbabwe. Ruguwa completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 2013. He then moved to do his MA and PhD degrees at Trent University and the University of Calgary, Canada. In 2022, he joined the Department of History, Heritage and Knowledge Systems at the University of Zimbabwe. He is based in Zimbabwe.

 

Mwayi Lusaka

Dr Mwayi Lusaka is a Lecturer of History and Heritage Studies at Mzuzu University in Malawi, where he also holds a UNESCO Chair position on Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage for National Development. He obtained his PhD in History, focusing on heritage issues, from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. His research interests are in history, politics, museums, heritage, memory, cultural heritage tourism, urban studies and the nexus between culture and international relations. He has been an integral part of the Malawi National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) project since 2023, serving as one of the contributing authors under the Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) component. He is currently based in Malawi

 

Patricia Tchawa Yomi

Dr. Patricia Tchawa Yomi is a Cameroonian economist and part-time lecturer at the University of Douala. She holds a PhD in Economics with a specialization in microfinance, poverty, and gender discrimination. Her research explores the intersection of development finance, digital inclusion, and firm performance in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is affiliated with several networks including AAAWE, TAP (World Bank), AERC, and CODESRIA. She has published in leading journals such as International Economics, Journal of Policy Modeling, the Journal of the Knowledge Economy, African Development Review and Region et Development. In 2024, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Romania. She is member of the Association for the Advancement of African Women (AAAWE) and The Think Africa Partnership (TAP) of The World Bank, and she mentors early-career African women economists. She regularly presents at international conferences on economic development and gender equity.

 

Djinta Litaaba-Akila

Dr. Djinta Litaaba-Akila is a Togolese development economist with a PhD from the University of Lomé. Her research focuses on agricultural markets, gender inequality, and labor economics. She has held several postdoctoral fellowships, including with the AUF in Romania, Ghana, and Benin, and has led research under the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program. She is affiliated with the University of Lomé and has collaborated with the Global Fund and PEP. Her work is published in Finance Research Letters, Région et Développement, and Revue Ouest Africaine. Dr. Litaaba-Akila brings extensive expertise in empirical research, poverty mapping, and project leadership across West Africa.

 

Amy Ka

Dr. Amy Ka is a Senegalese economist with a PhD in Macroeconomic Policy from Cheikh Anta Diop University. She specializes in development economics, public finance, and empirical policy evaluation. She is currently a tutor at the Virtual University of Senegal and has experience in project evaluation and research coaching. Her research has been presented at international conferences hosted by FERDI, GDN, and UCAD, with publications on taxation, domestic resource mobilization, and post-COVID labor dynamics. She has received funding from AERC and CAPITUM and is actively involved in academic networks and health advocacy in Senegal.

 

Fidae El Hassouni

Mme Fidae El Hassouni, marocaine de 37 ans, est docteure en sciences économiques et de gestion à l’Université Ibn Tofaïl de Kénitra au Maroc. Elle dispose également d’un master en finance islamique et d’une licence en sciences de gestion. Engagée dans la recherche appliquée, elle a participé à de nombreuses enquêtes de terrain portant sur la précarité, l’entrepreneuriat social, l’économie circulaire et l’économie informelle au Maroc. Professeure vacataire dans plusieurs établissements d’enseignement supérieur et chercheure associée à l’Institut Interdisciplinaire pour les Sciences Sociales (2i2s), elle a pris part à plusieurs colloques nationaux et internationaux. Ses travaux mobilisent à la fois des méthodes quantitatives et qualitatives, appuyées par sa maîtrise d’outils tels que SPSS et Atlas.ti. Elle s’investit également comme formatrice auprès de porteurs de projets, contribuant activement au développement inclusif et durable des territoires marocains. Elle dispose de nombreuses publications indexées dans des revues nationales et internationales.

Nadia Saaidi

Mme Nadia SAIDI, âgée de 40 ans, est actuellement directrice administrative dans l’enseignement supérieur, où elle s’investit pleinement dans la formation des futurs professionnels. En parallèle, elle poursuit un doctorat en sociologie, axé sur les relations ethniques, un sujet qui la passionne profondément. Titulaire d’un master en sociologie de l’économie sociale et solidaire, elle a eu l’opportunité de mener des recherches sur l’autonomisation des femmes, notamment à travers une étude quantitative. Ses travaux incluent également des recherches empiriques sur les coopératives féminines, mettant en lumière leur impact sur le développement local. Son engagement pour l’égalité des genres et le soutien aux initiatives féminines guide ses recherches et ses actions au quotidien. Elle croit fermement en la puissance de l’éducation et de la solidarité pour transformer les sociétés.

Saarra Boutahar

Saarra Boutahar, Maitre de conférences à l’ENCG Béni Mellal (USMS). Docteure en sciences économiques, elle a soutenu une thèse sur la valorisation des ressources territoriales, avec un intérêt particulier pour l’artisanat et les dynamiques locales. Ses travaux abordent les questions d’économie circulaire, de développement inclusif et de gouvernance territoriale. Elle a participé à de nombreuses communications nationales et internationales sur la transformation numérique, la protection sociale et l’entrepreneuriat coopératif. Ses recherches récentes explorent l’impact de l’innovation sur la résilience des activités économiques informelles, notamment féminines. Elle a également encadré des projets entrepreneuriaux dans le cadre d’initiatives soutenant l’autonomisation des jeunes et des femmes. Lauréate d’un prix pour un projet d’entreprise innovante, elle est active dans des réseaux de chercheurs en finances publiques. Trilingue, elle maîtrise les outils d’analyse qualitative et souhaite mettre son expertise au service d’un projet qui interroge les conditions de travail, d’organisation et de reconnaissance des femmes dans un secteur marginalisé.

 

Sidy Ndour

Sidy Ndour, Ph.D est titulaire d’un Doctorat en archéologie de l’Université Laval, Québec, Canada. Auparavant, il a fait ses études au département d’histoire de l’UCAD de la FLSH ou il a obtenu un diplôme de Master. Il est chercheur affilié à Unité de Recherche en Ingénierie Culturelle et en Anthropologie (URICA) du Laboratoire d’Archéologie de l’IFAN Cheikh Anta. Il travaille également comme archéologue professionnel avec des firmes d’archéologie du Québec, Canada. Sa thèse de doctorat porte sur, l’étude de l’impact du commerce atlantique et sur les transformations des paysages historiques du Baol, entre 1400-1900. Son champ d’expertise est, l’archéologie et le patrimoine de l’époque atlantique et de la colonisation, l’analyse de la culture matérielle et les enquêtes ethnohistoriques.

 

Akoth Steve Ouma

Dr. Akoth is a Senior Lecturer at the Kenyatta University (Department of Applied Economics) and Tangaza University (Institute for Social Transformation), where he is also the Director of Postgraduate Studies. His education background includes Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Master’s in Anthropology (specializing in Human Rights and Development), and a Doctorate in Anthropology, majoring in International Human Rights Law.  In the last two decades he has served as an expert on Youth, Gender, Labour, climate Justice, Business and Human Rights, Land and Housing and climate law. He is best known for his work on Southern Urbanism,  Alternative Justice Systems and Social life of Human Rights: A response to epistemic injustice. His anthropological theorising of the social life of human rights has deployed and continue to develop the concept of domesticated agency as entangled in modernity and cultural representations.

 

Temilade Sesan

Dr. Temilade Sesan, a sociologist, researches international development with expertise in sustainable cities, energy access, agriculture, and social protection. Her work focuses on promoting inclusion for marginalized groups (women, people with disabilities, youth, ethnic minorities, informal workers) in governance and economic development across Nigeria and Africa. She analyzes inequities arising from economic advancement and provides pro-poor policy recommendations, leveraging extensive engagement with policymakers and civil society to understand socio-political factors shaping development outcomes. Funded by numerous international bodies (e.g., the International Science Council and UK Research & Innovation), she disseminates her research globally through conferences and publications, including peer-reviewed articles, policy reports, and book chapters. She teaches at the University of Ibadan’s Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law.

 

 

Francis Dakyaga

Dr. Francis Dakyaga is a Lecturer in Local Governance and City Management at SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (Ghana), holding a PhD in Spatial Planning from TU Dortmund, Germany. His research focuses on urban planning and governance, urban infrastructure and equitable service delivery, urban politics and informality, and climate risk. He has served as Principal Investigator of several projects, including gender power relations in households (SEND Ghana), corruption-discrimination in health/education and Voice of CSOs in Ghana on SDGs (Ghana Integrity Initiative), cocoa sustainability project (Oxfam), building resilience against violence extremism (Star Ghana), and climate change capacity building and emergency preparedness plans project (Sightsavers). He has co-directed studies on decentralized water infrastructure and contributed to EU-funded urban development research. Dr. Dakyaga employs mixed methods including KIIs, FGDs, and surveys across Ghana, Niger, and Tanzania.

 

 

Nadège Tedongmo

Dr. Nadège Ludvine Tedongmo is a lecturer and researcher in the Departement of History and Archaeology at the Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences, University of Dschang (Cameroon). She specialized in maritime security issues in the Gulf of Guinea and also work on gender, conflict, and peace dynamics in Africa. She has published several academic papers on governance challenges, social identities, and security in the Gulf of Guinea. Dr Tedongmo serves as the Deputy Director of the Center on Gender, Peace and Security (CGEPS). She is a recipient of the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) Fellowship for the year 2023-2024.

 

 

Pountougnigni Njuh Ludovic Boris 

Dr Ludovic Boris Pountougnigni Njuh is a Lecturer in International Relations History at the Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor (Senegal), a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) alumna at the Chair of Political Economy at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena (Germany), and a graduate of the University of Dschang (Cameroon). His research focuses on regionalism and integration, political and security governance, and dynamics of Africa’s integration into globalisation. He has authored many papers published in Africa, Europe and America.

 

 

Tobi Adewunmi

Tobi Adewunmi is a graduate student in African Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and founder of the Graduate Research Clinic, fostering collaboration among African and Diaspora scholars. With over five years’ experience in teaching and research at the University of Ibadan and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, he has consulted for international bodies including DFID-Nigeria and ECOWAS. As a former Research Fellow at Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, he designed executive curricula and supported Nigeria’s Vice President and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. He also served as Africa Chair for the International Association for Political Science Students, co-authoring a UN@75 report. His research examines global governance, urban political ecology, and environmental law in West African cities, focusing on the society’s role in achieving SDGs 6 & 11. He is greatly passionate about research capacity building in Africa.

 

Titilope Olusegun Olalere

Dr Titilope Olusegun Olalere is a lecturer and a historian with specialisation in Women’s Studies affiliated with the Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Her research focuses on gender and fiscal questions in colonial Ijebu Province of Western Nigeria through the lens of women’s contribution to the colonial treasury through taxation. She is an interdisciplinary researcher with focus on women’s socio-political and economic history in Nigeria. She recently worked on a research “Taxation, Currencies and the Moulding of Owo Ijebu (Ijebu Money), Ijebu Province, Western Nigeria, 1918 – 1960” funded with kind support of University of Birmingham, England and Osun State University-ERC under its post-research capacity building activities for 2024. She was one of the sixteen Female Early Career Researchers selected in West Africa by the British Academy to participate in the Writing Workshop (Ghana) in 2024. 

 

Eugenia Ama Breba Anderson

She is a lecturer and gender historian affiliated with the Department of History and Political Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Her Ph.D research focuses on the gender question in Social Movements in Africa through the lens of women’s contribution to student activism. She is an interdisciplinary researcher whose research interest is focused on women’s leadership in higher education institutions, student activism, women and gender-based violence, religious activism, and decolonisation studies. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher on the DANIDA-sponsored project Multiple Waterscapes in Urban Ghana (MUWUG). She has also won the 2025 African Peacebuilding Network Fellowship (IRF), where she is researching how the gender roles of women as fish mothers generate conflict within fishing communities. She was a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Fellow at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada (June-September 2024). 

 

Oluwaseun Foluso Phillips

Dr. Phillips Oluwaseun Foluso is a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Sociology Department, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. She specialises in Culture and Gender studies, Family, Children and Youth studies. She has nearly two decades of teaching and research experiences. She has publications in high impact local and international journals. She is currently working on Metamorphosis of Olaju in the 21st Century: A case study of youth culture in selected universities in southwestern, Nigeria.