New initiative at Leeds Beckett to explore the current challenges in Africa

The inaugural event had over sixty attendees with dignitaries including the Ambassador of Mauritania to the United Kingdom and representatives of organisations working on issues relating to Africa.

The ARI is being led by Dr Olayinka Ajala from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences: "This is an exciting new endeavour in the Centre of Applied Social Research.

"Since the independence of most of the African countries in the 1950s/60s, Africa has been designated as an object of study. The continent has witnessed several challenges such as poverty, economic deprivation, conflicts, terrorism, coups and more recently the impacts of climate change. We aim to develop and deliver research projects with partners from African countries based on the needs of Africans.

"In the last ten years, LBU has seen a huge increase in the number of students from Africa. ARI will position LBU as an important university for African research and development."

The inaugural workshop heard from Professor Morten Boas - Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. He specialises in Africa and the Sahel and spoke about democratic backsliding and whether a wind of authoritarianism is brewing in Africa. Also presenting was Issaka Ouedraogo, who is Director of Sahel Political - a risk and strategy consultancy based in Switzerland. He spoke about the impacts of insecurity, economic stagnation and external interference on governance in the Sahel.

Participants of the event heard from the two speakers, saw a documentary on migration and forced displacement in Nigeria, and had presentations from early career researchers, from LBU, University of Huddersfield, Royal Holloway University of London and the University of York.

Mr Ouedraogo said he was "honoured to be part of the ARI's maiden workshop" and "was looking forward to partnering with ARI and Leeds Beckett on future projects on African Studies."