Research

In addition to carrying out research, IFRA also supports

junior researchers to conduct their fieldwork as part of

their PhD research. IFRA is increasing its visibility as a

centre for research and cooperation in social sciences.

Research Themes

Election and democratisation: visit IFRA's Elections Observatory; monitoring of the 2012 Kenyan Election
The Political from the Grassroot: Political violence; militias; NGOs, civil society and social movements
Public and sectorial policies: Urban governance; higher education policies; refugees and IDPs

Emerging, negociated, and conflicting identities: ethnicity, autochtony and métissage; political memories (related to Heritage); nation-building and nationalisms (see notably the ANR-funded Swahili identitites and the programme on the Asian communities of East Africa)
Social classes, consumption, urbanity: the rising of the Kenyan middle class; new norms and family roles; new consumption practices and cultural models (mobile phones, songs, literature)
Youth: "Vulnerable children, violent youth in East Africa" (ANR-funded programme)
New religious practices: Religions wandering in Eastern Africa

The Challenges of Heritagisation and Valorisation in Endangered Heritage Sites in East Africa. See the Report of a workshop on the "Second circle of Heritage" (17-18 January 2011, IFRA).
Mountains Ecosystems in East Africa (CORUS Mountains) coordinated by François Bart (Univ. of Bordeaux III) and Bernard Charlery de la Masselière (Univ. of Toulouse).
Natural Patrimony and Ecosystems (IRD Programme) coordinated by Stéphanie Duvail (IRD). Other researchers involved: Jean-Luc Paul (Univ. of West Indies and Guyane); Pius Yanda (Dar es Salaam Univ.); Olivier Hamerlynck (Centre of Ecology and Hydrology).