‘Borders, Mobility, and Livelihoods’ wins at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards
Congratulations to Professor Naohiko Omata, Dr Yotam Gidron and Madison Bakewell on winning the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Engagement for the project Borders, Mobility, and Livelihoods.
This project explores the significantly understudied issue of refugees’ cross-border movements in three East Africa border regions, and has made policy impacts at multiple levels.
The research shows that these movements are rarely hopeful repatriation, but a dangerous coping strategy forced by extreme poverty, shrinking humanitarian aid, and a lack of livelihood opportunities in exile.
The project has significantly changed how cross-border refugee mobility is understood and made differences in real-world decisions in East and Central Africa. Crucially, refugee communities were involved throughout the research process. Their participation ensured that findings reflected lived realities and increased local ownership of the research.
Together with the Social Sciences Division’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team, ODID was also shortlisted in the Commitment to EDI Award for ‘Inclusive Classrooms: Workshop on Identity and Collaborative Learning’, a workshop developed by MPhil in Development Studies academic staff. The workshop gained considerable attention at the VC Awards Showcase held on 2 June. Watch the workshop film here.
Photo: © John Cairns Photography