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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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USIU-Africa Tag

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...

Academic Achievements, 2020

General Blogs

The year 2020! What a year it has been. The global Coronavirus Pandemic has defined 2020. COVID19 has affected virtually all sectors of the economy. In early January, I received good news of a Visiting Fellowship at the Centre for African Studies (CAS) in Edinburgh. It was going to be an opportunity for me to complete my PhD research. I was looking forward to a great mentorship experience. The pandemic escalated in March forcing many countries to lockdown. I was not able to travel to Edinburgh but I was assured...