The Mawazo Institute participated in this year’s Macondo Literary Festivalfrom 20th to 22nd September 2024 at the Kenya National Theatre. The event themed “the sea is history” united authors from Africa’s diverse linguistic regions and Indian Ocean writers. The Festival featured panel discussions, workshops, and meet-the-author sessions focused on maritime histories. As the sole not-for-profit organisation present, Mawazo engaged in cultural discussions and showcased our literary contributions including the Mawazo Ideas Digest and the 2023 Annual report. Our booth attracted interest from students and the public, with three Mawazo Fellowship alumni sharing their experiences and PhD journeys. We look forward to future collaborations with the festival.

In August 2024, Mawazo participated in the Kenya National Research Festival where the Director of Programme Dr. Caroline Mose spoke on a panel about the importance of meaningful inclusion, stating, "Inclusion is not just ticking boxes; it’s about listening and ensuring marginalised needs are prioritised." Additionally, Programme Officer Silvia Mwendia shared findings from the upcoming Status of African Women in Research (SOAWIR) report, which drummed up anticipation for the report’s launch.  

The festival provided increased visibility for 2021 Mawazo Fellows Dr. Elizabeth Wafula and Margaret Murage, who both showcased their research, and 2018 Mawazo Fellows, Dr. Marilyn Ronoh and Dr. Elizabeth Mutua, who both used the festival to network. 

Key takeaways from the Festival were that research must prioritise the needs of the most marginalised as well as noting the significant gap in up-to-date and relevant insights and data on African women pursuing their PhDs on the continent. Mawazo is uniquely positioned to fill this gap through our SOAWIR report.

The Mawazo Institute attended the two-day Kenya Evidence Platform Conference 2024, organised by Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), the Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH), and Maseno University. The conference focused on enhancing refugee programming and policymaking in Kenya through locally generated research aimed at promoting durable solutions. It included presentations, peer reviews, and networking sessions to improve communication in refugee policy research. The event facilitated dialogue among diverse stakeholders: practitioners, policymakers, academics, and individuals with lived experiences, fostering discussions on actionable solutions to address existing gaps and capitalise on new opportunities. A key takeaway was that knowledge development through research is essential for strategic efforts toward sustainable solutions.

The Mawazo Institute has now been supporting Fellows since 2018, and the network of African women researchers we have created crossed the 90 mark. Through our Connects Network, we continue to engage and support all the women who have gone through our Fellowship Programme. To illustrate the impactful work of our researchers, this month, we highlight the story of one of our 2021 Fellow.

The Mawazo Institute and Deep Science Ventures (DSV) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September 2024. DSV is a London-based venture builder rooted in science, collaborating with entrepreneurial scientists worldwide to create technology startups that address major global challenges. Through the Deep Science Venture Doctorate, the first PhD program focused on invention, Mawazo and DSV will jointly support highly entrepreneurial African women. These women are interested in addressing Africa's urgent development needs and may not have traditionally considered pursuing a PhD. Over three years, selected candidates will go through a professional training and development course that will expose them to the world’s most entrepreneurial faculty and connect them to the best labs in the world. More details on the programme will be provided in the near future.

The Mawazo Institute participated in the second annual Women Who Build Africa (WWBA) Assembly, which took place at Nairobi Street Kitchen in Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday, September 6. The assembly brought together women from Africa’s business and startup ecosystem to promote and advocate for women’s representation in the sector. This event was especially important for the Mawazo Institute as the organisation has a growing portfolio of African women researchers with science-based ventures. Key discussions at the Assembly focused on the significance of gender-responsive programming in breaking barriers for women to lead and excel in business. The Mawazo Institute is familiar with this area and was pleased to attend the event to listen and share its experiences in increasing women’s representation.

Call for Applications for Smithsonian Resilience and Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 (Deadline: 15 October)

The Smithsonian Resilience and Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellowship is accepting applications from five post-doctoral fellows as they conduct independent research supporting the Smithsonian’s goals to understand and expand resilience.

Call for Applications Kohli Fellowship for Sociology 2025 (Deadline: 18 October)

The  Kohli Fellowship for Sociology is accepting applications from researchers who have finished their dissertations with excellent success offering a two-year research stay at a prestigious research institution to engage in a new research project, to advance publications and to develop research collaborations.

You can help us shape the future of women researchers on the continent by making a donation. No amount is too small – or too big. Make a donation today via debit/credit card, Paypal, or MPESA.