Since 2019 the African Studies Centre Leiden offers a multi-disciplinary minor in African Dynamics for students from Leiden, TU Delft and Erasmus University in collaboration with the TUD Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, and the Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management. In the original concept the minor includes a three week field study at different partnering African Universities.
Although this could not be realised in 2020-21 due to Corona-related travel restrictions, our students could fortunately still experience aspects of African realities through actively participating in the Africa Knows! Conference. As one of their assignments, these podcasts are the products of their interviews with selected participants in the conference.
We wish to thank all who have contributed to enriching their learning insights and trust their podcasts will contribute to countering Eurocentrism and advance decolonising academic endeavours.
Decolonise our Thoughts A (in French)
Marieke van Winden (Leiden University)
Sharing her thoughts and experiences on organising the Africa Knows! conference in times of Corona.
Interviewed by Nafi Diagne on 22 January 2021 (Duration: 13:50).
Decolonise our Thoughts B
Ton Dietz (Leiden University)
Sharing his thoughts and experiences on organising the Africa Knows! conference in times of Corona.
Interviewed by Nafi Diagne on 29 January 2021 (Duration: 27:36).
A: Institutional foundations
A02 - Education in post-colonial times
Felix Kram (African Studies Centre Leiden) and Vojtech Šarše (Faculty of Arts, Charles University)
Exploring the effects of the western legacy in a post-colonial world.
Interviewed by Kendra Parry on 17 December 2020 (Duration: 14:59).
B: Decolonising knowledge
B09 - Decolonising Archaeology
Tomomi Fushiya (Leiden University)
A discussion about the importance of collaboration between archaeologists and local people to decolonise heritage in Sudanese Nubia.
Interviewed by Julia Mooren on 13 January 2021 (Duration: 15:15).
B10 - Knowledge Migration
Antony Ongayo (ISS Erasmus University) and Oliver Bakewell (University of Manchester)
The complexities of international skills and knowledge migration and the African diaspora.
Interviewed by Danica Goudriaan, January 2021 (Duration: 6:54).
B11 - Knowledge of Africa in Asia
Rohit Negi (Ambedkar University) and Lalita Hanwong (Kasetsart University)
Discussing knowledge of Africa in India and Thailand in the context of national conditions and perspectives on decolonisation.
Interviewed by Yaska Sahara Hirani Harji on 5 &12 January 2021 (Duration: 15:45).
C: Europe and Africa
C13 - A new Africa-Europe Alliance
Patrick Develtere (KU Leuven)
An overview of the strength in the relationship between Africa and Europe, and what can be improved.
Interviewed by Sunny van Leeuwen on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 18:31).
C14 - Time to adapt: A new way of addressing power balances to achieve sustainable diplomacy
Samantha Ruppel (Leibniz-Institut Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung)
The power dynamics at play in development and peace projects, and how these power dynamics need to be adapted to achieve sustainable diplomacy.
Interviewed by Sascha den Elt on 16 January 2021 (Duration: 23:56).
C15 - The Position of Eastern European Scholars in African Studies
Stephanie Rudwick (University Of Hradec Kralove) and Adeolu Oyekan (Nelson Mandela University)
In this podcast we discuss the necessity of cross-cultural exploration between African and Eastern European scholars with a particular focus on interdisciplinary collaboration regarding the gender discourse.
Interviewed by Sol Basaran van Ham, January 2021 (Duration: 21:53).
D: Cases of regional and disciplinary specifics
D16 - The AU's intervention in Somalia and Ethiopia's Desire to Access the Sea
Jude Cocodia (Niger Delta University, Nigeria)
An insightful conversation about the future of the African Union, justifying the AU's intervention in Somalia and Ethiopia's influence and dependence on Somalia.
Interviewed by Salma Ghailan, Sameera van Boeckel, and Lorraine Phakamea on 8 January 2021 (Duration: 19:22).
D16 - Rootlessness and Tapping into Indigeneity
Melanie Guichon (Aarhus University)
A fascinating conversation about decolonising the mind, rootlessness and tapping into indigeneity through the eyes of George Ayittey and Kwesi Kwaa Prah.
Interviewed by Salma Ghailan and Sameera van Boeckel on 12 January 2021 (Duration: 15:19).
D16a - Inclusive Sustainable Development Through a Knowledge-Based Economy
Mustapha Mekideche (Independent/National Economic & Social Council (CNES))
Presenting a growth paradigm for Africa based on a knowledge-based economy that will create local wealth and jobs and reduce poverty.
Interviewed by Ammar Saeed on 21 January 2021 (Duration: 20:06).
D16a - Education and Partnerships in North Africa (part I)
Tanja Dedovic (IOM UN Agency) and Naima Hamoumi (Faculty of Sciences Mohammed V University)
Successful skills mobility partnerships, human capital and sustainable development in North Africa.
Interviewed by Jasmijn van Riggelen on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 13:40).
D16a - Education and Partnerships in North Africa (part II)
Tanja Dedovic (IOM UN Agency) and Naima Hamoumi (Faculty of Sciences Mohammed V University)
Successful skills mobility partnerships, human capital and sustainable development in North Africa.
Interviewed by Jasmijn van Riggelen on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 14:07).
D18 - Water Irrigation Development in Africa
Janwillem Liebrand (Utrecht University)
Debating the importance of good communication between African families and European researchers.
Interviewed by Sunny van Leeuwen on 11 January 2021 (Duration: 19:06).
D18 - Water Resources Ownership and Management in Kenya
Keziah Ngugi (SEKU)
Comparing the methods used to improve access to water in the Asals of Kitui County, Kenya of individual, private, community and government owned agents.
Interviewed by Ammar Saeed on 15 January 2021 (Duration: 14:17).
D19 - The Narrative of African History
Enocent Msindo (Rhodes University)
A discussion on the development and narratives of African historiography and the colonial library within the frame of true decolonisation.
Interviewed by Rumbidzo Dangarembizi on 11 January 2021 (Duration: 16:25).
D19 - Underrepresented Areas of African History
Kalpana Hiralal (University of Kwazulu-Natal) and Bakail Moncef (University of Algiers)
Discussing women in history and highlighting the ancient and medieval history in the context of decolonisation of knowledge.
Interviewed by Yaska Sahara Hirani Harji on 22 December 2020 and 2 January 2021 (Duration: 13:33).
D19 - Culture in Post-colonial Africa
Marie Huber (Humboldt Universitaet zu Berlin) and Nsima Udo (University of Western Cape)
Exploring our collective responsibility in protecting culture and progression of perception
Interviewed by Kendra Parry on 7 January 2021 (Duration: 14:59).
D21 - Decolonisation of Knowledge, Finance and Business
Chibuike Uche (Leiden University), Heinrich Matthee (Hanze University of Applied Sciences) and Abel Ezeoha (Alex Ekwueme Federal University)
In this podcast the decolonisation of knowledge is analysed from the perspective of economics, finance, and business, both in general and from some specific national perspectives.
Interviewed by Sebastian Cincelli on 5 January 2021 (Duration: 15:28).
D21 - International Financial Reporting Standards for Dummies (part I)
Solomon Zori (Rotterdam School of Management)
An introduction to the world of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Interviewed by Nathaniel Donkor January 2021 (Duration: 13:48).
D21 - International Financial Reporting Standards for Dummies (part II)
Solomon Zori (Rotterdam School of Management)
An introduction to the world of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Interviewed by Nathaniel Donkor January 2021 (Duration: 19:57).
D26 - Knowledge in the Lions Club
Jean-Frederic de Hasque (Université Catholique de Louvain)
Through exploring how knowledge is built within the Lions Club, this contribution illustrates that knowledge dissemination is not limited to the academic world.
Interviewed by Sven Muller on 7 January 2021 (Duration: 9:11).
D26 - Poetry and Women Scholarship in Islam
Suleiman Chembea (Bomet University College)and Britta Frede (Universität Bayreuth)
This podcast about chanting poetry and women scholarship in African Islam, explores the role of media in the production and transmission of religious knowledge.
Interviewed by Sven Muller on 14 & 15 January 2021 (Duration: 14:45).
D27a - Reconfiguring Language use in African Studies
Anthony Okeregbe (University of Lagos) and Ademola Kazeem Fayemi (University of Lagos)
A discussion about African ethics and philosophy regarding the use of indigenous languages in African Studies.
Interviewed by Julia Mooren on 15 January 2021 (Duration: 19:00).
D27a - Yoruba Proverbs and their Portrayal of Good Character
Feyisayo Ademola-Adeoye (University of Lagos)
Analysing Yoruba proverbs, their importance in Yoruba culture and how they portray good character.
Interviewed by Chadidjatu Faye on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 12:24).
D27a - Reconfiguring Language Use in African Studies
Peter Oni (University of Lagos) and Luqman Yusuff (University of Lagos)
A discussion about the necessity to create space for African languages, the misconceptions about translation and the role of social media.
Interviewed by Sol Basaran van Ham and Thyara Leysner, January 2021 (Duration: 18:17).
D27b - Culture and Language (part I)
Bert van Pinxteren (Leiden University)
A discussion about empowering and disempowering ideas on language and culture.
Interviewed by Roos Schepers on 12 January 2021 (Duration: 16:06).
D27b - Culture and Language (part II)
Bert van Pinxteren (Leiden University)
A discussion about empowering and disempowering ideas on language and culture.
Interviewed by Roos Schepers on 12 January 2021 (Duration: 10:10).
D27b - Taking Back our Mother Tongue
Tesfaye Wolde-Medhin (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju (University of Ilorin)
A discussion about the role of indigenous languages in the context of decolonization, and how various language policies can empower African states and peoples.
Interviewed by Rumbidzo Dangarembizi on 12 & 20 January 2021 (Duration: 19:57).
E: Transdisciplinary debates
E24 - Ethiopian Strategies to Reduce Maternal Mortality Rates
Natascha Wagner (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
A very interesting and enjoyable conversation about the impact on maternal mortality ratios in Ethiopia of the Health Extension Program (HEP) and the Health Development Army (HAD).
Interviewed by Sander Blom on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 15:09).
E29 - Health and the Integration of Local Knowledge
Albert Roca (University of Lleida), Pino Schirripa (Sapienza - University of Rome), Taiwo Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju (University of Ilorin), Sarah Cummings (Wageningen University and Research) and Chris Zielinski (University of Winchester)
In this podcast, decolonisation of knowledge is analysed by looking at how local knowledge is (not) integrated into universal systems, specifically in the field of health.
Interviewed by Sebastian Cincelli on 5 January 2021 (Duration: 15:58).
E29 - The Integration of Local Knowledge in Formal Education
Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju (University of Ilorin) & Marijn Prakke (Utrecht University)
Discussion on what local knowledge is and the process of integrating it into existing institutions.
Interviewed by Noor de Bever on 11 January 2021 (Duration: 17:58).
E30 - The Malawi Paradox
Tanja Hendriks (University of Edinburgh)
In this edited interview, we discuss how the Malawi Paradox hinders long term policy implementation, decentralisation and anticipating future emergencies.
Interviewed by Salma Ghailan on 8 January 2021 (Duration: 18:18).
E31 - Climate Change in the Sahel
Oriol Puig-Cepero (CIDOB Barcelona Centre for International Affairs))
In this podcast we discus local strategies and the role of international organisations to address climate change in the Sahel region.
Interviewed by Thyara Leysner on 25 January 2021 (Duration: 14:03).
E32 - Personal Reflections on the Ugandan Elections
Erik van der Zanden (Leiden University)
Erik and I discuss the last elections of Uganda, exploring the process of state building and the personal academic journey of a researcher.
Interviewed by Wouter Maas on 18 January 2021 (Duration: 14:52).
E33 - Doing Research in Red Areas: Examples of Cameroon and Uganda
Josef Kucera (University of Ostrava), Nico Nassenstein (JGU Mainz) and Jan Knipping (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz)
Discusses how to conduct research in so called red areas, and how language can be used in research in post-conflict areas.
Interviewed by Chadidjatu Faye on 13 & 15 January 2021 (Duration: 21:05).
E34 - The Other Side (part I)
Chido Charimari on Rijk van Dijk (African Studies Centre Leiden)
A conversation influenced by an interview with professor Rijk van Dijk on the other way of knowing on the African continent - spirituality.
Interviewed by Wouter Maas on 21 January 2021 (Duration: 11:13).
E34 - The Other Side (part II)
Chido Charimari on Rijk van Dijk (African Studies Centre Leiden)
A conversation influenced by an interview with professor Rijk van Dijk on the other way of knowing on the African continent - spirituality.
Interviewed by Wouter Maas on 21 January 2021 (Duration: 13:55).
E35 - A Multispecies Approach in African Studies
Harry Wels (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Arguing for a multispecies approach in social sciences, Harry Wels explains why it is critically important to include non-human animals in African Studies as interdisciplinary field of studies.
Interviewed by Teun van Ekeren on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 18:32).
F: Technology and innovation
F37 - The Opportunities for Frugal Innovation
André Leliveld (African Studies Centre Leiden)
The role of (frugal) innovations and technologies in economic transformation and development in Africa.
Interviewed by Simon Gebraad on 20 January 2021 (Duration: 18:10).
F37 - Feeding the World
Sietze Vellema (Wageningen University and Research)
The challenge of feeding the growing world population.
Interviewed by Simon Gebraad on 3 February 2021 (Duration: 18:54).
F38 - The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Africa
Jacques Ludik (Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa & Cortex Group)
The benefits but also risks AI could have for the development of Africa.
Interviewed by Simon Gebraad on 19 January 2021 (Duration: 17:30).
F39 - On the Privatisation of Knowledge
Gerald Katothya (Jomo Kenyatta University)
A discussion about the private agricultural advisory services models emerging in Kenya.
Interviewed by Floris van Dijk on 13 January 2021 (Duration: 14:37).
F39 - Knowledge Brokering for Business
Yves Van Leynseele (University of Amsterdam)
A discussion about power and the privatisation of knowledge in the agricultural sector in South Africa.
Interviewed by Floris van Dijk on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 17:57).
F40 - Environmental Monitoring: Collective Disease Management Among Ethiopian Farmers
Nyamwaya Munthali (Wageningen University and Research Centre) and Elias Damtew (Wageningen University and Research)
Investigating social hierarchies and other influences in exchanging content on social media platforms and its value in facilitating open information sharing. Discussing the outcomes of a study on how farmers use and make sense of different communicative interventions to inform and adjust their individual decisions, coordinate collective strategies, pressure free-riders and develop a shared identity.
Interviewed by Teun van Ekeren & Sander Blom on 12 & 14 January 2021 (Duration: 11:59).
G: Youth and gender issues
G41 - Let's Get the Youth Employed
Aniek Santema (Edukans)
Discussing the issue of youth unemployment in Africa and a holistic approach to mitigating it.
Interviewed by Chido Charimari on 11 January 2021 (Duration: 17:34) ;
G41 - TVET in Guinea Bissau and its Relation to the Labour Market
Clara Carvalho (ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon) and Maria Antonia Barreto (IPLCEA- University Institute of Lisbon)
A discussion about the state of TVET in Guinea Bissau, political instability, the informal job market and the role of NGOs.
Interviewed by Robin Breedeveld on 12 January 2021 (Duration: 14:12).
G41 - Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Kenya
John Mugo (Zizi Afrique)
Proposed solutions to inadequate TVET education to tackle high youth unemployment, including the challenges faced in cross-sector collaboration and its relation to politics.
Interviewed by Robin Breedeveld on 14 January 2021 (Duration: 14:51).
G42 - Financial Education Empowers the Youth
Roger Kaffo Fokou (High School Dschang)
An exploration on how social and financial education enables the youth to contribute to sustainable development, based on a project of the Ministry of Secondary Education of Cameroon launched in collaboration with Aflatoun International.
Interviewed by Erik Owusu on 19 January 2021 (Duration: 15:14).
H: Knowledge and impact
H44 - Gaining Valuable Learning Experiences by Helping Others
Titus Pacho (Kisii University)
Discussing the integration of community service with academic study.
Interviewed by Danica Gouriaan, January 2021 (Duration: 14:58).
H45 - Knowledge Systems in African Land and Nature Context
Marja Spierenburg (Leiden University)
Addressing the pressing land and nature questions in Africa by weaving local, indigenous and scientific knowledge systems.
Interviewed by Lyana Usa on 28 January 2021 (Duration: 17:20).
H48 - African Border Policies and Management
Lotje de Vries (Wageningen University)
Discussion on the role of borders in creating policy and how it affects people living in these 'borderlands'.
Interviewed by Noor de Bever on 11 January 2021 (Duration: 17:08).
H48 - Evidence-Based Policymaking for Inclusive Development
Marleen Dekker (African Studies Centre Leiden and INCLUDE)
Research-policy barriers and linkages in inclusive development are discussed with the secretariat coordinator of INCLUDE - a Dutch-African knowledge platform, discusses research-policy barriers and linkages in inclusive development.
Interviewed by Lyana Usa on 15 January 2021 (Duration: 15:13).
