Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · 13h

Borders in Africa are lived, not just drawn. Katrin Sowa's @unicologne.bsky.social new book explores Kenya’s borderlands, colonial legacies, and One Stop Border Posts—shaping trade, migration, and inequality.

More: crc-trr228.de/enforcing-th...

Enforcing the Line: An Ethnography of the Kenyan Border Regime - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

By Katrin Sowa (University of Cologne).

crc-trr228.de

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · 15h

New study from Turiani, Tanzania with @idos-research.bsky.social:

Smallholder farmers blend indigenous & modern agri-tech into unique local knowledge. Findings highlight the need to validate & support indigenous practices & rethink innovation from the ground up:

crc-trr228.de/new-publicat...

New Publication: Blending Traditions - Evaluating Indigenous Agricultural Practices Among Smallholders in Turiani, Tanzania - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

In this study, Denis Chomboko (IDOS), Theobald Theodory (Project C03 "Green Futures"), Michael Brüntrup (IDOS & Project B05 "Science Futures"), Venance

crc-trr228.de

1 1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · 16h

Green Hydrogen from Namibia – A New Chapter of German Colonial History?

Activists from Namibia are on a speakers tour in Cologne to discuss the tensions between “green” cooperation & old colonial patterns.

🗣️ Dr. Linus Kalvelage, Nafi Hamukoshi & Paul Thomas

Event in EN / translations to German
⬇️⬇️

Speakers Tour: Green Hydrogen from Namibia – A New Chapter of German Colonial History? - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

Mon | October 13th, 2025 | 19:00 (CEST)

crc-trr228.de

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · 28d

New publication 📖

This chapter explores how international initiatives like the Balkan Silk Road (BRI) & SAGCOT reshape territorial governance.

How do foreign-led infrastructure & private strategies affect state sovereignty? Can strong sovereignty coexist with weak governance?

More ⬇️⬇️⬇️

New Publication Explores How Global Infrastructure Projects Reshape Territorial Governance and Sovereignty - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

In this chapter, Erblin Berisha, Franziska Sielker and Peter Dannenberg (Project C01 "Future in Chains") examine how international infrastructure and

crc-trr228.de

Reposted by CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

Biruk Terrefe @terrefebiruk.bsky.social · Aug 26

EU's Global Gateway study on 11 transport corridors:

"All scenarios presume stable political and security situation. [...] No field visits have been performed, but the EU Delegations in Africa provided extremely useful local insights."

Get serious.

publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/h...

Global Gateway Support to Transport Corridors in Africa – Consolidated Report

This report provides summary comparative assessment of 11 Global Gateway Transport corridors in Africa. The focus is on the comparative modelling results under four specific objectives: 1) Reduce carb...

publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu

1 2

Reposted by CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

DAAD Worldwide @daadworldwide.bsky.social · Aug 26

Join the 3rd lecture of our Climate Lecture Series! 📅 9 Sept 2025 | 🕚 11:00–12:15 CEST / 09:00–10:15 UTC | Speaker: Lucy Waruingi, African Conservation Centre (Kenya) on community-based rangeland #reforestation for #sustainable livelihoods. Free & open to all: ➡️ static.daad.de/media/daad_d...
#DAAD

An African savannah during sunset. Text on image: Fighting climate change through reforestation: Climate Lecture on 9 September. Image source: iStock / LucynaKoch

1 5

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Aug 25

New publication:

Annapia Debarry & Valentine Opanga explore urban research through feminist & decolonial lenses, highlighting invisibility of marginalized communities in Nairobi & Addis Ababa.

Read it here:

Urban Invisibles: Feminist perspectives on marginalization and resistance in Nairobi and Addis Ababa through the lens of embodied research practices - Urban Matters Journal

This paper explores the embodied and politically charged nature of urban research through feminist and decolonial lenses, focusing on the invisibility of marginalized populations in Nairobi and Addis ...

urbanmattersjournal.com

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Aug 21

Vacancy:

Professorship in Economic Geography and Global South (W1) with tenure track (W3) (f/m/d) @unicologne.bsky.social.

More:

Vacancy: Assistant Professorship in Economic Geography and Global South (W1) with tenure track (W3) (f/m/d) at the University of Cologne - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

The University of Cologne is currently searching for a Professorship in Economic Geography and Global South (W1) with tenure track (W3) (f/m/d).

crc-trr228.de

2

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Aug 20

New Publication:

Chrispinus Mutsami, Martin C. Parlasca & Matin Qaim (Project C08 & @zefbonn.bsky.social) examine livelihoods in rural Africa.

Findings show:

- Poorest rely most on farming
- Self-employment dominates off-farm work
- Education & infrastructure boost access

Read full study here:

Rural Livelihoods: Off-Farm Income Now Drives Majority of Household Earnings in Africa - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

In their latest publication, Chrispinus Mutsami, Martin C. Parlasca, and Matin Qaim (Project C08 "Job Futures") examine rural livelihoods in Kenya, Namibia,

crc-trr228.de

1 1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jul 31

Der @daadworldwide.bsky.social vermittelt nordamerikanische, britische und irische Bachelorstudierende in den Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften sowie Informatik in Forschungspraktika an deutsche Hochschulen und Forschungseinrichtungen.

Infos zur Teilnahme: ➡️ crc-trr228.de/rise-germany...

RISE Germany 2026 – Forschungspraktika - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

Zur Unterstützung der Internationalisierung in den Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften sowie Informatik vermittelt der Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst

crc-trr228.de

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jul 29

Congratulations to Frankline Ndi (project C02 "Energy Futures") for receiving the @giubresearch.bsky.social International Paper Award!

His article examines land acquisition and displacement in the context of the Kipeto wind energy project in Kenya.

More ➡️ crc-trr228.de/frankline-nd...

Frankline Ndi Receives International Paper Award of the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

Frankline Ndi (Project C02 "Energy Futures") was awarded the International Paper Award of the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn for his

crc-trr228.de

1 4

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jul 16

Congratulations to Thomas Widlok (Project C05 Framing Futures) for receiving the Leo-Spitzer Prize for outstanding academic work in the humanities!

More ➡️ crc-trr228.de/thomas-widlo...

2

Reposted by CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies @dependencybonn.de · Jul 16

📣 Call for Papers
Join us at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies for a workshop on the Global History of the Plantation (Nov 2025)!

🌍 Open to PhD & early-career researchers
🗓️ Submit abstract by August 15, 2025

More info:https://ow.ly/iU2u50WpR1n

@unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

2 8

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jul 4

We recently visited the Global Heritage Lab @unibonn.bsky.social, exploring the exhibition "Dressing Resistance" with Prof. Julia Binter. A timely exchange on decolonizing heritage—especially as we plan our own exhibition with @futuriumd.bsky.social in 2026.

‪More:

Exploring Decolonial Heritage: A Visit to the Global Heritage Lab - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

In June, a group of Future Rural Africa researchers visited the Global Heritage Lab in Bonn. The Global Heritage Lab is a research hub and laboratory for

crc-trr228.de

1

Reposted by CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies @plaasuwc.bsky.social · Jul 4

🐘 👩🏾‍🌾 Why do many #conservation approaches find it hard to do justice to people and integrate ‘living with’ #biodiversity rather than separating people and nature? We deal with this and much more in our #LivingLandscapesInAction short course. Apply by 21 July. plaas.org.za/call-for-app...

Call for applications: New thinking on integrating biodiversity and social justice short course | Plaas

Five-day in person short course 27 – 31 October 2025 Cape Town, South Africa Living Landscapes short course webpage Applications close on Monday, 21 July 2025 Why do current conservation paradigms not...

plaas.org.za

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jul 3

Youjin B. Chung, Marjorie Mbilinyi & Emmanuel Sulle trace how sugar & plantations shaped state-building in Tanzania—not just for exports, but as strategic staples. Colonial & postcolonial policies transformed land, labor & livelihoods, reinforcing race, gender & class hierarchies.

Full article 👇👇👇

Sugar, the plantation, and the state in Tanzania

This essay examines the relationship between sugar, the plantation, and state-building in modern Tanzania. Whereas scholars have emphasised plantations' export orientation, our analysis highlights ...

www.tandfonline.com

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jul 3

Congratulations! 🎉👏🎊

Arne Rieber @arnerieber.bsky.social · Jun 30

Very happy and proud to share that today I’ve successfully defended my dissertation. So grateful to the @unibonn.bsky.social @giubresearch.bsky.social @crctrr228.bsky.social, my supervisors, reviewers and wonderful colleagues in Bonn who guided and supported me over the last three years!

Photo of myself holding my dissertation in front of a screen that shows the title page of my Defense presentation. Title: „The political ecology of hydraulic infrastructure in Kenya: claim-making and contestations in hydrosocial spaces“

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jun 26

@unibonn.bsky.social @unicologne.bsky.social @giubresearch.bsky.social

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jun 26

🟢 How does spatial planning shape the green hydrogen boom?

In a new study, Benedikt Walker, Britta Klagge & Ravn Haid explore how Chile, Namibia & South Africa plan for export-oriented green hydrogen projects.

Read it here ➡️ crc-trr228.de/planning-the...

Planning the Future: Comparing Green Hydrogen Strategies in Chile, Namibia, and South Africa - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

In their publication, Benedikt Walker and Britta Klagge (Project C02 Energy Futures) alongside Ravn Haid (University of Bonn) examine how spatial planning

crc-trr228.de

1 1 3

Reposted by CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

IDOS_research @idos-research.bsky.social · Jun 26

📖 New IDOS #PolicyBrief on #DigitalFinancialServices - Lessons from #Kenya- by Christoph Sommer (IDOS), Albert Nsengu-Muremyi, Anna Mader & @musshoff.bsky.social @uni-goettingen.de. 🔗 www.idos-research.de/en/policy-br...

2 3

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jun 26

Scholarships available for PhD students from Africa, Asia & Latin America (enrolled at a German university) to join the RLC Workshop on Rural Development & Smallholder Agriculture @zefbonn.bsky.social, Sept 29–Oct 2, 2025.

📅 Apply by July 15, 2025

More info 👉 crc-trr228.de/call-for-wor...

Call for Workshop Scholarships: Transdisciplinary RLC Workshop on Rural Development and Smallholder Agriculture - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

The RLC Campus at ZEF, University of Bonn, Germany, offers scholarships for PhD students from Africa, Asia and Latin America, who are currently studying at a

crc-trr228.de

1

Reposted by CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

The Mouth Journal @themouthjournal.bsky.social · Jun 25

Up next week

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jun 17

New research by Eric Kioko & Winnie Changwony explores how megaprojects like Kenya’s LAPSSET corridor disrupt land tenure & power in rural Africa. Study highlights land privatization, conflict & the overlooked impacts on community-managed conservation areas.

Read it here: ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Megaprojects and Power Shifts: How Infrastructure Development Threatens Communal Lands in Africa - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

In this new publication, Eric Kioko (Project C03 Green Futures) and Winnie Changwony (Kent State University) examine the impact of government-led megaprojects

crc-trr228.de

1

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jun 16

📱 Planning Smart, Working Hard

Gideon Tups & Astrid Matejcek uncover the hidden labor behind "smart" digital connectivity in rural Tanzanian agriculture.

Two case studies reveal the gap between tech promises and the hard work that powers them.

📰 ➡️ crc-trr228.de/new-publicat...

New Publication: When Smart Plans Meet Hard Work - Digital Infrastructure and Labor in Tanzania - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

Gideon Tups (C01 Future in Chains) and Astrid Matejcek (Project C04 Smart Futures) explore how digital connectivity projects in rural Tanzania’s agricultural

crc-trr228.de

CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa @crctrr228.bsky.social · Jun 16

🎬 Mtu ni Watu premieres June 23, 2025 @ Off-Broadway Cinema, Cologne!

Part of the Tandem Project by Hauke-Peter Vehrs & Richard Kiaka, film spotlights vital but often overlooked role of research assistants in ethnographic research.

🎟️ : Glaskasten, @unicologne.bsky.social

More info & trailer 👇

Film Premiere: Mtu ni Watu - Disclosing Hidden Stories of Fieldwork - Collaborative Research Center TRR 228

Mon | June 23rd, 2025 | 17:00 (CEST) I Off-Broadway Cinema, Zülpicher Str. 24, 50674 Köln

crc-trr228.de

1