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ONGOING PROJECTS
  • Contributor, V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) – Democracy, Elections and Political Parties in Zanzibar(2000-2020).
  • Researcher, Providing for Peacekeeping Project – International Peace Institute (IPI) (2015-Ongoing).
  • Research in Popular Music and Culture (2019-Ongoing).
  • Research in Politics and Elections in Tanzania (Ongoing).
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Students’ Tribune

The Students’ Tribune features stories and analyses from students I have taught and mentored over the years. This platform is inspired by my interactions with students at different universities. It is a platform that publishes conversations and stories about students’ personal life experiences as well as academic experiences. The goal is to inspire, educate and raise awareness on various issues that students face. As a university lecturer, I have always believed that teaching alone is not enough; students need to be inspired and mentored. This platform provides an opportunity for students to tell stories and make meaningful conversations that will be impactful. I hope this platform will inspire and up make students’ voices heard.

Navigating the Maze of master’s Education: My Journey in International Relations

Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Lynace Mwashighadi   In the bustling world of journalism, my journey into the realm of academia was not a casual one; it was born out of a confluence of experiences and a deep-seated desire to expand my horizons. It began with a profound realization during my tenure with the State House Press Corp at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). It was a period marked by international exploits, a time when I delved into the intricacies of Kenya’s fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta's bilateral engagements, corporate liaisons, and global business deals. These experiences exposed...

Maureen Cherongis: Reflections of my masters research journey

Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Maureen Cherongis   The moment I stepped at the United States International University - Africa (USIU-A) to pursue Masters in International Relations, I had a clear and resolute vision of the specific trajectory my research would follow.   My research journey has been shaped by a deep desire to challenge dominant narratives that perpetuate colonial legacies and to ensure that the diverse heritage of Africa is authentically represented. From the onset, my research topic was ignited by a powerful idea: 'who owns the story.' research. This study was conceptualized by Jess Crombie and...

Writing your Master’s Thesis is like finishing your first marathon, not a sprint

Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Florence van Riet   During my Spring and Summer Semester 2023 at United States International University – Africa (USIU), I started my Master’s thesis journey. And I kid you not, when I say that this has been the most hard and frustrating, but also the most rewarding and fulfilling experience so far in my academic career.   Choosing a topic, putting data together and writing your thesis is an exciting but also a somewhat worrying process. Let’s start with how I chose my topic. Actually, I did not choose my topic,...

Sheena Aine

Sheena Aine: My experiences studying for a Masters Degree in International Relations

Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Sheena Aine   Hello everyone, my name is Sheena and I have just recently completed a Master of Arts degree in International Relations with a concentration in Development Studies at USIU-Africa. My masters experience was truthfully a mixture of emotions and a roller coaster. I was grateful for the many experiences throughout my academic journey and I was especially grateful and happy with this chosen degree. I was also grateful for the classes and knowledge that was being shared, grateful for the professors that were always open to going the extra...

Reflecting on my international relations research journey

Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Peter Odhiambo The decision to pursue an MA in International Relations (IR) stemmed from my interest to expand my perspective on the international system beyond my background in security operations. Over the course of the two-and-a-half-year program starting from June 2021 to August 2023, I found that every moment invested was profoundly rewarding.   The program at the United States University- Africa (USIU) begins by providing students with a solid grounding in the foundations of International Relations. This foundational phase encompasses key theories, legal principles, and the essentials of political science. Building...

Dealing with ADHD: Better Late than Never (Republished)

General Blogs, Students' Tribune

By Nura Mein We never fully know and understand how deep the stigma of mental illness runs until we are confronted with our own personal experiences. My fourth-grade class teacher told my mother that I exhibited symptoms and behaviorisms that indicated Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Understandably, when my mother heard this, she was furious. Soon after, I sat for exams and I performed quite well. “See? My daughter was one of the top students, how could she have ADHD?” she remarked.   Life went on despite the diagnosis. I went through...

Epilepsy and Relationships

Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Lisa Kiarie Epilepsy is one of the highly misunderstood conditions in society. Individuals with epilepsy often go through difficult times. The one question is always consistent; what is epilepsy? Although many times people have thought it to be a cultural misfortune of some sort where the affected party is possessed by evil spirits, epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain. There are two main types of seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. Focal, or partial...

Living well with epilepsy (Republished)

blog, Students' Analyses, Students' Tribune

By Lisa Kiarie Being an individual living with epilepsy, the one question I get a lot is “what is epilepsy?” The scientific definition is a chronic neurologic disorder with many possible causes and causes include illness, to brain damage, to abnormal brain development which causes seizures. A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can cause strange sensations, emotions, and behavior. Seizures can also cause convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. With this am always faced with how to simply explain something even I have struggled my...

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