Mark Bradbury | XCEPT
Mark Bradbury, Director of the Rift Valley Institute, shares the origin story of the Cross-Border Local Research Network and its integration into the broader XCEPT programme. He reflects on why the initiative began — recognising the value of researchers embedded in borderland regions of countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. He highlights the programme’s […]
Luga Aquila | XCEPT
Luga Aquila, a local researcher, reflects on his work under the XCEPT-supported SET Project. His research has explored the cultural significance of cassava in marriage and ritual, and the changing realities of child labour and education in rural South Sudan. He shares why training in diverse research methods matters for local researchers, and how integrating […]
Joel Otieno | XCEPT
Joel Otieno, Programme Manager for XCEPT at the Rift Valley Institute, shares how the initiative supports local researchers from concept to final product. At its core, XCEPT is about surfacing local knowledge and equipping researchers with the tools to inform both local and national-level interventions. He explains that while XCEPT is a research programme, it […]
Hon Pia Michael | XCEPT
Hon Pia Michael, Under-Secretary at South Sudan’s Ministry of Peacebuilding, reflects on the value of research in shaping effective peacebuilding strategies. He highlights how evidence-based approaches offer a scientific lens to unpack conflict drivers within and beyond national borders. For Hon Pia, cross-border insights are essential. He points out that many policymakers are not aware […]
Alexander Davey | XCEPT
Alexander Davey, Country Director for the Danish Refugee Council in South Sudan, reflects on the personal and professional impact of the XCEPT research Migrating with Seeds. He shares how its human-centred storytelling, led by South Sudanese researchers, made the work both accessible and powerful—even for non-academic audiences. He highlights how grounding research in lived experience, […]
Elizabeth Nyibol | XCEPT
Elizabeth Nyibol, a researcher and member of the local research network, reflects on her transformative six-year journey with the XCEPT programme. As a young woman from South Sudan, she shares how XCEPT has strengthened her capacity, enhanced her writing and research skills and connected her to a broader virtual network of professionals. Through the programme, […]
Jason Mosley | XCEPT
In this video Jason Mosley, Senior Publications Manager at the Rift Valley Institute, reflects on the vital role of local researchers within the XCEPT (Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends) programme. He highlights how local researchers and academics have led and contributed to critical research on cross-border conflict themes, and how centring local expertise will […]
Beyond XCEPT: Lessons, Legacies, and the Road Ahead
Episode 1 – Beyond Series | Rift Valley Radio What have we learned from six years of cross-border research on conflict, governance, and resilience in the Horn of Africa? In the opening episode of the Beyond Series, Rift Valley Institute’s Jason Mosley speaks with Hannah Stogdon and Joel Odiwuor Otieno about the legacy of the […]
Nisar Majid | XCEPT
In this video, Dr Nisar Majid – Senior Researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Fellow at the Rift Valley Institute (RVI) – shares reflections on the importance of long-term research in often-overlooked cross-border regions. He discusses the need to go beyond problem-focused narratives by highlighting how people live their […]
Sahra Koshin | XCEPT
In this interview, Sahra Koshin shares her insights on the XCEPT project and its impact. She highlights the importance of bringing together researchers and policymakers to engage in meaningful discussions on key issues. Sahra also emphasizes the value of regional representation in the project ensuring that local perspectives are included in the conversation. She discusses […]