EADI eNewsletter #9/2 2024 | Financing African Social Science & More

2nd Issue September 2024

Editorial

As we continue to work on our Decolonising Knowledge for Development project and hope to release the first stories soon, our events are catching up after the summer break. If you’re interested in better research partnerships and boosting research in the Global South, don’t miss our webinar on financing African social science research. Our latest blog post in the European Development Policy Outlook series reveals insights from Finland, and, besides other news and picks from our member community, we can once again offer some interesting new publications on energy. From our Blog Finland’s Development Aid Plunges amid Far-Right Take-Over of Policy Agendas The boost in popularity of the populist right-wing Finns party has meant a bumpy ride for Finland’s development affairs. With far-right extremists in the government, Finland’s development aid is plunging. Our latest blog post recalls the historical peculiarities of Finland’s path from an aid recipient to becoming an international development donor and sheds light on the contemporary challenges and controversies of Finland’s stance to development issues, demonstrating a drastic change to earlier commitments. Read more
To the blog overview

Next EADI Online Event on 09 October What Mechanisms can be Envisaged to Finance African Social Science Research? Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Funding Model Representing a mere 3.5% of global research, African research is also highly dependent on international funding, which is a source of tension. This webinar will present the mechanism envisioned in an AFD policy paper to finance social science research production and research capacity building in Africa, and will put it up for debate with 3 experts from the sector. The event will be in French language, but English translation will be provided: Read more and register
See all EADI Events

EJDR: Check the Most Popular Articles!
To promote some of the finest research and scholarship published in our journal, the European Journal of Development Research (EJDR), the editors have compiled a selection of the most cited articles that the journal has published in the last 5 years. Check it here

In addition, there’s another list available, measured by metrics other than impact. This includes articles discussed via through social media, and therefore presumably with wider societal impact. Check it here

Highlight:
A Just World on a Safe Planet A Lancet Planetary Health–Earth Commission Report on Earth-System Boundaries, Translations, and Transformations Our planet will only remain able to provide even the most basic standard of living for everyone in the future if economic systems and technologies are dramatically transformed and critical resources are more fairly used, managed and shared, a new report shows. The report is co-authored by over sixty leading natural and social scientists from the Earth Commission, led by the University of Amsterdam’s Joyeeta Gupta as well as Prof. Xuemei Bai and Prof. Diana Liverman. Read more

Highlight:
Climate Security and Climate Justice Recognizing Context in the Sahel Bringing climate security and climate justice into dialogue, this open access book uses the Sahel as a case study to discuss the contrast between these two approaches and how they tend to lack an engagement with social, historical and political contexts. Tor A. Benjaminsen from the Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, introduces the international debate on climate security, with a particular focus on Mali as a ‘hub’ country of the current security crisis in the Western Sahel.  Read more

Thematic Focus:
Energy
The political economy of energy transitions in Africa: Coalitions, politics and power in Tanzania
Energy Research & Social Science – Rasmus Hundsbaek Pedersen , Japhace Poncian – Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)

Transforming the rhetoric of Just Energy Transition Partnerships into reality: The devil lies in the details
PLOS Sustainability and Transformation – Aparajita Banerjee – German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

Analyzing the consequences of power factor degradation in grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems
e-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy – Edward Dodzi Amekah, Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde, David Ato Quansah, Elvis Twumasi, Stefanie Meilinger, Schneiders Thorsten – International Center for Sustainable Development (IZNE)

Who Owns Power in the Energy Transition. Evaluating deregulation and public-private partnerships of public energy utilities in 5 international geographies
Patrick Robbins, Johanna Bozuwa, Alex Lenferna et al. – Transnational Institute TNI

Elsewheres of the Unbuilt: The Global Effects of Transnational Energy Infrastructure Projects
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research – Maren Larsen, Alke Jenss, Benjamin Schuetze, Kenny Cupers – Arnold-Bergstraesser-Institut (ABI)

Crime in the dark: role of electricity rationing
Imelda, Xiaoying Guo – The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Premium Members Publication Picks
What characterizes the re-institutionalisation of research in Sahel countries?
Rigas Arvantinis, Linda Zanfini – The Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

The EU and China in the Global South: Perspectives from African countries
Mariella Di Ciommo, Pauline Veron, Nadia Ashraf – European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)

‘Unleash the hounds!’: NAFO’s memetic war narrative on the Russo-Ukrainian conflict
Critical Studies on Security – Eva Johais, Mareike Meis – Chr.Michelsen Institute (CMI)

The Digitalisation of Social Protection in Africa: The Perspective of Marginalised Workers
Becky Faith, Tony Roberts, Laura Alfers et al. – Institute of Development Studies (IDS)

Settler colonial studies: a historical analysis
Settler Colonial Studies – Cyrus Schayegh – The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)

Correcting misperceptions about trends and norms to address weak collective action — Experimental evidence from a recycling program
Journal of Environmental Economics and Management – Hanna Fuhrmann-Riebel, Ben D’Exelle et al. – German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

Smallholder access to purchased seeds in the presence of pervasive market imperfections and rainfall shocks: panel data evidence from Malawi and Ethiopia
Agricultural and Food Economics – Clifton Makate, Arild Angelsen, Stein Terje Holden, Ola Tveitereid Westengen – Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric)

Read more about EADI Members

Policy Publication Picks by Members

Seeds of Change: Catalysing Zero Hunger through Innovative Social Protection in Fragile and Least Developed Countries
Stephen Devereux, Habib Ur Rehman Mayar, Nicolas Bidault et al. – Institute of Development Studies (IDS)

« When you can, you want to ». Social conditions for achieving the ecological transition: a lifestyle approach
Mathieu Saujot, Clémence Nasr, Charlie Brocard, Marion Bet, Sophie Dubuisson-Quellier, Marie Plessz – Institut du développement durable et des relations internationales (IDDRI)

Saving the Triple Lock. The Neutrality Hawks v. The Government of Ireland
Niamh Ní Bhriain – Transnational Institute TNI

The debt trap dilemma of African governments: balancing debt services, food security and development – while avoiding civil unrest
Assem Abu Hatab, Tabeer Riaz, Emmanuel Orkoh – Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)

Stakeholder interests disrupt climate finance coordination
Millicent Omala, Marie Ladekjær Gravesen – Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) Picks from International Partner Networks

A guide to anticipation: Working paper on tools and methods of horizon scanning and foresight
ISC, UNEP – International Science Council ISC

Rebuilding trust in science: Challenges and responsibilities in a polarized world
Peter Gluckman – International Science Council ISC

Crisis de la representatividad política
CLACSO – The Latin American Council of Social Sciences CLACSO

El cambio nunca es lineal
Movimientos sociales en tiempos polarizados – G. Pleyers – The Latin American Council of Social Sciences CLACSO
Read more about EADI Partners
Trainings
Nordic Scholarship Programme
Deadline: 13 October 2024  –  Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)

See more courses and trainings on the EADI website

Opinions
How to understand alignment between scientists on contested policy issues
James Georgalakis – Institute of Development Studies (IDS)

Gold rush in the Amazon
Jayne P Lambrou – Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric)

Transforming minds: using theory to address crises: Interview with Dr Karim Knio
International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

Power up One Health to effectively combat antimicrobial resistance!
Srinivasa Srigiri, Angela R. Schug – German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

Real voices from stakeholders: What do they say about effective climate finance coordination in Kenya?
Millicent Omala, David Lyndorff Paris, Marie Ladekjær Gravesen – Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)

Recognising and protecting family farming in Guinea: a successful advocacy journey
Aïssata Yattara, Macky Bah – International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Mesurer la mortalité maternelle dans les pays du sud : un exemple au Cameroun
Marion Ravit, Benjamin Fomba Kamga, Martine Audibert – Fondation pour les études et recherches sur le développement international (FERDI)

The Corporate Grip on Inequality: A Call for Public Action
Global Research Programme on Inequality GRIP

What environmental policy should the new French government pursue?
Lucien Chabason – Institut du développement durable et des relations internationales (IDDRI)

Calls
Call for papers: « African responses to the decolonial dilemma », Barcelona, 29-31 January 2025
Deadline extended to 30 September 2024 – Centre for African and Development Studies CESA-ISEG

Call for paper presentations: Innovative Solutions for Strengthening LDCs Resilience against Systemic Shocks, 1-3 April 2025, Lusaka, Zambia
Deadline: 15 October 2024 – United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

Call for Papers: Migration and Societal Change Conference June 2025
Deadline: 01 February 2025
International Development Studies, Department of Human Geography and Planning

See more calls on the EADI Website

Jobs
Convenor: Green Economy Coalition (GEC)
Deadline: 25 September 2024 – International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Researcher (f/m/d) in the Behavior Program
Deadline: 30 September 2024 – International Security and Development Center gGmbH (ISDC)

Visiting PhD Fellowship
Deadline: 30 September 2024 – United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

IIED Trustees
Deadline: 06 October 2024 – International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

See more job offers on the EADI website

Opinion continued

The Demand for a Fair International Financial Architecture
David Passarelli, Patricia Justino – United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)