Joseph Diing is a South Sudanese researcher with the Rift Valley Institute who has been involved in the XCEPT programme from its early stages. In this interview, he reflects on how the programme has shaped his research journey—introducing him…
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Sophie Stevens, Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the XCEPT programme at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), shares reflections from over a year and a half of overseeing the programme. As the person accountable for its delivery,…
Pamela Combinido of Humanitarian Advisory Group reflects on leading the review of the Ex-Border Local Research Network under the XCEPT programme. She highlights the value of locally-led research in gaining access to complex contexts and producing grounded, credible evidence….
Nathan Shea is the Assistant Director for Conflict and Fragility at The Asia Foundation and the Programme Manager for XCEPT. In this interview, he discusses how XCEPT has challenged dominant narratives about conflict-affected borderlands—shifting the focus from disorder and…
Mohanad Hage Ali, Deputy Director of Research at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, reflects on his team’s engagement in the MENA region through the XCEPT project. Focusing on research in the border areas of Yemen and Saudi…
Dalle Abraham, a researcher based in northern Kenya, speaks about the power of community-led research and the unique role local researchers play in understanding the region’s challenges. He underscores how trust and access are central to gathering meaningful data,…
Elizabeth Nyibol, a South Sudanese researcher and long-time contributor to the XCEPT programme, shares her journey from local research to global engagement. Through her work on projects like Changing Tests and her publication Triple Burden, she reflects on how…
Highlights from the XCEPT Consortium Partners Learning and Project Closeout Convening held from 11–13 February 2025 at Lake Naivasha Resort, Kenya. This convening brought together partners from across the XCEPT programme to reflect on six years of collaborative research…
Rose Wright, Conflict Adviser at the British Embassy in Juba, reflects on the role of research and evidence in shaping conflict-sensitive responses across South Sudan and the region. From shifting gender norms to regional instability, she shares why programmes…
Rebecca Lorins, co-founder of Likikiri Collective and assistant professor at the University of Juba, discusses how researchers can move beyond written reports to engage broader audiences in South Sudan. She highlights the importance of using theatre, live performance, podcasts…
Recent Publications
SSC-Khaatumo: Perspectives on the significance and implications of its formation
December 12, 2025
On 15 April 2025, during a visit to the city of Las Anod in Sool, Prime Minister Hassan Abdi Barre officially declared the federal government’s recognition of SSC-Khaatumo (SSC-K hereafter) as a federal member state, marking an important milestone in
Aid and Conflict Sensitivity in Contemporary Ethiopia
November 17, 2025
This study assesses conflict sensitivity practices among humanitarian, development and peacebuilding (HDP) actors in Ethiopia. It seeks to raise awareness and foster a deeper understanding of the evolving aid landscape in the country while analysing the challenges that affect conflict-sensitive
Enhancing the Role of Borderland Communities in Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy
October 15, 2025
Ethiopia’s borderland communities (BLCs) have historically influenced the country’s relations with its neighbours. These peripheral regions often serve as hubs for cross-border trade, repositories of natural resources and, at times, flashpoints of conflict. Surrounded by six neighbouring countries – Djibouti,