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Social Science Research Workshop – Research Incubator Program

Shirley Gabriella Achieng' PhD

Jointly Organized by Impact Her World Foundation (Women in Security, Peace & Diplomacy Network – WISPAD) and the Africa Network of Critical Security Scholars (ANCSS)

  • Workshop Dates: 2nd to 13th February 2026
  • Application Deadline: 20th January 2026
  • Format: Fully Virtual

About the program

Impact Her World Foundation, through its Women in Security, Peace and Diplomacy Network (WISPAD), in partnership with the Africa Network of Critical Security Scholars (ANeCS), announces the Call for Applications for the First Cohort of the Social Science Research Workshop – Research Incubator Program.

This initiative is designed to build a new generation of African social science researchers equipped with the technical, analytical, and ethical competencies needed to design, conduct, and communicate rigorous research that informs policy and contributes to Africa’s peace, security, gender, and development agenda.

The program responds to the growing gap between academic research and policymaking across Africa, providing participants with hands-on learning experience, guidance, mentorship, and access to expert facilitators.

The workshop aims to:

  • Strengthen participants’ skills in research design, analysis, academic writing, and knowledge translation.
  • Build capacity to transform research into policy and program interventions that advance peace, gender justice, security, and development.
  • Introduce digital research tools for data collection, analysis, and referencing.
  • Promote ethical, gender-responsive, and context-sensitive research practices.
  • Foster a sustainable community of emerging African researchers under the WISPAD–ANeCS network.

Dr Onyechi

Dr. Tochukwu Onyechi

Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics – University of Nigeria Nsukka

John BD

A/Prof. John Boakye-Danquah

Adjunct Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability – University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

Mr Chika

Mr. Chika Ugwu

Policy and Institutional Strengthening Expert

Prof Mwambari

Associate Prof. David Mwambari

Faculty of Social Sciences – KU Leuven, Belgium

The call is open to:

  • Early-career African researchers in the social and behavioral sciences.
  • Master’s and PhD students working in peace, governance, development, gender, and security studies.
  • Practitioners in NGOs, think tanks, civil society, and government agencies engaged in research or evidence-based programming.
  • Members of WISPAD and ANeCS seeking to deepen their applied research skills.

Women, early-career scholars, and researchers from underrepresented regions are strongly encouraged to apply.

The workshop will run for four days (two days per week) and will include:

  • Interactive masterclasses
  • Group assignments and practical exercises
  • Peer-review clinics
  • Live demonstrations of qualitative and quantitative tools
  • Mentorship sessions with experienced African scholars

Workshop Themes

Day 1 – Foundations of Social Science Research
Research logic, formulating research questions, conceptual frameworks, ethics, and gender sensitivity.

Day 2 – Designing and Conducting Research
Qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, sampling, data collection tools, and digital data management.

Day 3 – Data Analysis and Research Writing
SPSS, Stata, NVivo introduction, coding qualitative data, statistics interpretation, literature review, and referencing tools.

Day 4 – From Research to Impact
Policy brief writing, publication strategies, grant-writing basics, and professional pathways in research.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will leave the workshop with:

  • A draft concept note or research proposal.
  • Practical experience with sample datasets and research tools.
  • Access to a mentorship network of African researchers and policy experts.
  • Eligibility for inclusion in the WISPAD–ANeCS Policy Brief Compendium.
  • A Joint Certificate of Completion (upon fulfilling attendance and assignment requirements).
  • Membership in the WISPAD–ANeCS Network Community for continued learning and collaboration.

Applicants must:

  • Be African or working on Africa-focused research.
  • Have basic familiarity with social science research (beginner to intermediate levels welcome).
  • Demonstrate commitment to completing all workshop sessions and assignments.
  • Have stable internet access for a virtual program.

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit their application via: https://forms.gle/Vv326JU2muHs2xfj9. You are also expected to upload the following documents with your application:

  • A CV (maximum 3 pages).
  • A writing sample (any short article or essay you have written and must not necessarily be in Peace and Security).

Deadline: 20 January 2026
Selected participants will be notified by the 27th of January, 2026.

Contact
For further inquiries, please email Nkechika.ibe@ihwf.org.ng and copy anecsafrica@gmail.com and shirleygabriella.sg@gmail.com.

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