Sudan’s peace deals have repeatedly fallen short and left core issues unresolved. Join RVI and the Sudan Norway Academic Collaboration on 6 December for a hybrid forum exploring new approaches to peacemaking shaped by Sudanese voices. Register: bit.ly/4pPeMco

‘What we are facing is not just a momentary downturn in funding but a structural change in the aid system itself… local actors and first responders are stepping in to meet the humanitarian needs of their people.’ David Deng, Managing Director, Detrco bit.ly/KampalaResol...

VACANCY | Programme Officer, Somali Dialogue Platform (SDP) RVI is recruiting a Programme Officer to support strategy, analysis, coordination and delivery of the SDP in Mogadishu. Open to Somali nationals or those eligible to work in Somalia. Apply: bit.ly/49KFj5P

VACANCY | Programme Officer, Somali Dialogue Platform (SDP) RVI is recruiting a Programme Officer to support strategy, analysis, coordination and delivery of the SDP in Mogadishu. Open to Somali nationals or those eligible to work in Somalia. Apply: bit.ly/49KFj5P

New XCEPT report by Hilina Berhanu Degefa on women’s participation in Ethiopia’s ethnonational armed groups. Completed through the Women Researchers Fellowship in the X-Border Local Research Network, where RVI is a core partner. Read here: tinyurl.com/w8dupaah

RVI is recruiting a Team Leader to head the Somali Dialogue Platform, a programme that provides research, analysis and technical support to strengthen inclusive political dialogue in #Somalia. The role is based in Nairobi with regular travel to Somalia. More about the role here: bit.ly/4oqAzXg

Join our 7th 'pastoralism & drylands development' seminar on 24 November. Weather and climate information from the frontlines, insights from Wajir Register in-person in Nairobi or online: lnkd.in/eEjhu88A

The November edition of the RVI Newsletter is out now! Explore the latest updates and insights from across the region: bit.ly/4nIs099 Not subscribed yet? Sign up here to stay informed: bit.ly/45zBZGI

The November edition of the RVI Newsletter is out now! Explore the latest updates and insights from across the region: bit.ly/4nIs099 Not subscribed yet? Sign up here to stay informed: bit.ly/45zBZGI

Join our 7th 'pastoralism & drylands development' seminar on 24 November. Weather and climate information from the frontlines, insights from Wajir Register in-person in Nairobi or online: lnkd.in/eEjhu88A

RVI is recruiting a Team Leader to head the Somali Dialogue Platform, a programme that provides research, analysis and technical support to strengthen inclusive political dialogue in #Somalia. The role is based in Nairobi with regular travel to Somalia. More about the role here: bit.ly/4oqAzXg

Happening now: Book Launch of 'The Police, the State and the Congo Cop.' Featuring the author Michel Thill, with Judith Verweijen, Patrick Gathara & Henry-Pacifique Mayala. Join on Zoom: bit.ly/4qEYh3O

Join the EWNET Seminar III on 30 Oct, 2:30–5:00 PM at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University for a discussion on gendered wage labour in Ethiopia’s floriculture, textile and service sectors. RSVP here - bit.ly/47Lg5Td

BOOK LAUNCH | THE POLICE THE STATE AND THE CONGO COP Join us on 30 Oct 2–4 PM EAT for a Zoom discussion on Michel Thill’s new book exploring everyday police work in the DRC and what it reveals about statehood and reform. Register: bit.ly/4q91hVX

RVI is partnering with the MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society on the JUSTHIS project from 2026. The project offers a fully funded 3-year PhD Fellowship on History Education for Reconciliation and Justice – Difficult History in Divided Societies. Apply: bit.ly/4hpO3zX

BOOK LAUNCH | THE POLICE THE STATE AND THE CONGO COP Join us on 30 Oct 2–4 PM EAT for a Zoom discussion on Michel Thill’s new book exploring everyday police work in the DRC and what it reveals about statehood and reform. Register: bit.ly/4q91hVX

Shadow State and the politics of community land reform in Kenya’s northern wildlife frontier Dr Achiba Gargule from Feinstein International Center speaks at our 6th 'pastoralism & drylands development' seminar on 22 October. Join in-person in Nairobi or online: jameelobservatory.org/padd6/

BOOK LAUNCH | THE POLICE, THE STATE AND THE CONGO COP Join us on 30 Oct for a discussion on Michel Thill’s new book exploring everyday policework in the DRC and what it reveals about statehood and reform. 2–4 PM EAT | Zoom Webinar Register: bit.ly/4q91hVX

EVENT REPORT | ENHANCING THE ROLE OF BORDERLAND COMMUNITIES IN ETHIOPIA’S FOREIGN POLICY The report highlights how Ethiopia’s borderland communities shape relations with neighbours yet have long remained marginalized from foreign policy making. Read more: bit.ly/479DFHQ

NEW REPORT | WOMEN IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES IN ETHIOPIA This EWNET study by Firehiwot Sintayehu and Netsanet Gebremichael finds women face mobility, stereotype and network barriers at Addis Ababa University. Read report: bit.ly/3Jahyck

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

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

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/

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Luga Aquila shares how cultural practices such as ritual and song can drive powerful community-rooted research and why investing in local voices is essential for impact in South Sudan. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O--r... Explore: xcept.riftvalley.net

The August edition of the RVI Newsletter is out! Preview it here: bit.ly/3JqbFYr Not subscribed yet? Stay updated by signing up here: bit.ly/45zBZGI

EVENT REPORT | LAUNCH OF EWNET The inaugural event brought together women researchers in Ethiopia through keynotes, discussions and shared experiences. Read the report: bit.ly/3Uwavgi

EWNET SEMINAR SERIES REPORT | ‘WE WANT FACTORIES’ @debele.bsky.social interrogates the erasure of Ethiopian women’s political lives while mapping her scholarly journey. Read the report: bit.ly/4mMlBJU