The Ethiopian Women Researchers Network (EWNET) has established a dedicated regional platform to strengthen academic writing, research collaboration, and public engagement for EWNET Small Grant Awardees alongside Dire Dawa University (DDU) female academics in the social sciences and humanities, as well as the broader academic community.

The initiative aims to harness a writing-centered academic culture where EWNET Small Grant Awardees publicly present their work in the form of a mid-level research workshop. In addition, these two-day sessions contribute toward building a rigorous peer-to-peer review culture, providing direct mentorship from leading African scholars, and forming institutional partnerships with DDU and women researchers in the social sciences and humanities at DDU.

From 6 – 7 October 2026, EWNET will host a two-day event featuring a full-day intensive writing workshop followed by a half-day public research seminar presenting five papers with corresponding Q&A sessions.

The programme will bring together small grant fellows, an EWNET diaspora member, and local female researchers from the social sciences and humanities at DDU for facilitated methodological sessions, a full-day silent writing session, and interactive Q&A sessions. The Day 1 workshop will focus on methodological challenges in contemporary social sciences and humanities in Ethiopia, featuring a dedicated silent writing session and a guided discussion on field data writing, analysis, and interpretation. Meanwhile, the Day 2 public seminar is themed “Engendering Change and Crisis: Making a Case for Structural Shift in Contemporary Ethiopia.” The event will conclude with networking and partnership building.

Event details

• Date: 6 – 7 October 2026
• Time: Day 1: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Day 2: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Venue: Dire Dawa University
• Format: In person
• Registration: 
  • Day 1 is by invitation only (20 selected participants).
  • Day 2 is a public event; no prior registration is required, and all university faculty, students, practitioners, and local policymakers are welcome.