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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 1d

The October edition of the RVI Newsletter is out now!

Catch up on the latest from across the region: bit.ly/4pZQ2Ps

Not subscribed yet? Stay updated by signing up here: bit.ly/45zBZGI

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 2d

NEW REPORT | IDDIR IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH IN ETHIOPIA

The latest EWNET seminar explored how iddir can inform policy, civic engagement and theory-making grounded in local experience.

Read the report: bit.ly/42uGG4a

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 6d

Learning for Impact | Local knowledge shapes better decisions. Since 2004 RVI courses have trained thousands with the context, analytical tools and networks to tackle complex challenges.

Learn about RVI’s Education Programme: riftvalley.net/courses/

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 6d

Do water interventions lead to more resilience in drylands?

At our 5th 'pastoralism & drylands development' seminar on 9 October, Jackson Wachira and Nancy Balfour explain 'the mixed resilience outcomes of water interventions in the Horn of Africa drylands'

jameelobservatory.org/padd5

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 6d

XCEPT's September newsletter spotlights RVI’s six-year contribution.

Research across Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Eritrea shows how borderland life is shaped by wider political and economic forces.

Read here: bit.ly/3WgPjLZ

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 7d

Join EWNET Seminar III: Thinking the Contemporary Through the Urban Nexus Between Academic and Policy Research on Friday, 3 Oct 2025 at 2:30–5:00 PM EAT at IPSS Addis Ababa University.

RSVP here: forms.gle/kALZaKtKN7gy...

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 8d

NEW REPORT | THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN CONFLICT AND PEACEBUILDING AMONG THE BALANDA AND JURCHOL COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL

Madelina John Juma on how cultural expressions influence conflict and peacebuilding in South Sudan—specifically song, dance and beadwork.

Full report: bit.ly/4gM5KcJ

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 19d

Elizabeth Nyibol on how XCEPT built her research skills, strengthened local engagement and brought South Sudanese voices into global debate — proving locally-led research delivers trust, evidence and impact.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_W1...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 20d

Pamela Combinido on how the X-Border Local Research Network enabled access, shaped evidence & informed policy, showing why locally-led research & equitable Global South–North collaboration are vital for lasting impact.

Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=K10P...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 21d

From early-career writer to leading researcher, Joseph Diing’s journey through XCEPT explores labour, migration and conflict in South Sudan — and inspires the next generation working at the margins.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=59f_...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 22d

Nathan Shea shares how XCEPT is reshaping understanding of borderlands — centering local voices, challenging old narratives and forging global partnerships.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCQg...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 23d

In Episode 6 of the EWNET Podcast, Dr Muna Abubeker, Ethiopia’s first woman philologist, shares her journey in language and cultural studies, reflecting on her research, career milestones and balancing academia with motherhood.

Watch: bit.ly/42fMkqu

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 26d

For Dalle Ibrahim, trust is the bridge to fragile regions. His work with XCEPT ensures affected communities are not just studied, but heard, recognised and included in policy discussions.

Watch: youtu.be/XwnckTESy7w?...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 26d

In Episode 5 of the EWNET Podcast, Dr Netsanet Gebremichael speaks with Dr Serawit Bekele Debele about her academic journey, key works on Irreecha and revolutionary mothering and her contributions to feminist theory and political expression.

Watch: bit.ly/3I0fhzZ

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 27d

Sophie Stevens of FCDO on how XCEPT has influenced UK policy, supported crisis response and strengthened partnerships with local researchers to understand and navigate complex conflicts.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=omcG...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 28d

In Episode 4 of the EWNET Podcast, Dr Mercy Fekadu shares her journey into research, reflections on the research process and insights from her book 'Parliament in Ethiopia: Participation, Representation and Resistance'.

Watch: bit.ly/3JMATAn

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · 29d

In Episode 3 of the EWNET Podcast, Dr Firehiwot Sintayehu Bahiru shares findings from her RVI/EWNET study on women researchers at Addis Ababa University, linking the outcomes to her own academic journey.

Watch: bit.ly/3Vkai0d

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Sep 8

The September edition of the RVI Newsletter is now out! Read it here: bit.ly/47yKW66

Not subscribed yet? Sign up to stay updated: bit.ly/45zBZGI

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Sep 8

In Episode 2 of the EWNET Podcast, Weynishet Girma Ayansa and Muna Abubeker share with host Sara Bushira their journeys as researchers and mothers, balancing personal and professional life while finding clarity in their work.

Watch: bit.ly/4lYd4mm

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Sep 4

In Episode 1 of the EWNET Podcast, Dr Netsanet Gebremichale and Dalaya Ashenafi share the story behind EWNET, its role in highlighting women researchers and reflect on their own research journeys.

Watch here: bit.ly/3I5DYLf

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Sep 2

What makes XCEPT different? Joel Otieno explains: Grounded in local knowledge, focused on practical impact and built on partnerships that connect global actors to the realities of conflict-affected communities.

Watch: bit.ly/4n43LCq

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Sep 1

Rose Wright shares how the UK is using XCEPT evidence to promote peace, address gender norms and respond to conflict in South Sudan and the wider region.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIAZ...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Aug 29

Research must reach policymakers and donors to address root causes of conflict — not just the symptoms. Hon. Pia Michael calls for cross-border insight as key to peace in South Sudan and the region.

Watch: youtu.be/aN_mfP3SVEI?...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Aug 28

Happening now: RVI forum on ‘The Political Economy of Development in Post-2018 Ethiopia.’

Speakers explore ideology, shifts in economic policy and the links between underdevelopment, political stability and democratisation.

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Rift Valley Institute @rvinews.bsky.social · Aug 28

Nicki Kindersley reflects on five years of cross-border collaboration in South Sudan and how the network has grown into a diverse research community shaping political economy research across the region.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIYx...

Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net