Rift Valley Institute

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…

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…

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…

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…