The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) organizes weekly and monthly research reviews where African scholars and policy makers share their research findings and outputs with reviewers and peers. Through this platform researchers have access to peer learning that enable them to understand the state of research gaps and needs. Due to COVID-19 the reviews are carried out virtually.
Expected outputs and dissemination
- Weekly news briefs highlighting insights from weekly ARIN reviews
- Short video clips on insights
- Monthly policy briefs consolidating insights
- Monthly policy dialogues between researchers and policy makers
- Interactive information platform/repository
Some of the reviews we have had over the past one year include:
- Clean energy access in Africa amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by Dr. Joanes Atela.
Reviewed on 22nd May,2020.
This review focused on energy transition in East Africa Countries (EAC) and associated impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic. Studies shows that even though EAC has made progress, the region still experience key challenges including incoherent policy frameworks, low generation of power, uncoordinated partnerships and investment, and limited access to reliable and disaggregated data on energy linkage with socio-economic development. Brief will be shared soon.
2. Partha Dasgupta Review of the Economics of Biodiversity: Interim Report
Reviewed on 15th May,2020
This interim report sets out the scientific and economic concepts and frameworks underpinning the review. The scientific framework of the report, in particular captures the link between nature, human health, and social well-being and uses the Covid-19 pandemic to help ground this. The final Report will be published in advance of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is due to be held in Kunming, China. Find the report here.
3. The Role of Community Based Organization (CBOs) in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Informal Settlements in Nairobi. Discussion paper authored by Joanes Atela,Asenath Maobe and Linet Mwirigi
Reviewed on 27th November,2020
The aim of this study is to establish the position of CBOs in DRR and informing policy changes in the government. To answer the question of whether the presence of CBOs in the informal settlements in any way makes life better and easier for the residents and Secondly, to establish the role they play in the disaster policies in the county in the past, and if not, to make recommendations on how to remedy that.
4. Transformative Pathways to Sustainability: Learning Across Disciplines, Cultures and Contexts by Victoria Chengo et. al
Reviewed on 9th October,2020
This is a book has been put together by the ‘Pathways’ Transformative Knowledge Network (TKN), to which Africa Sustainability Hub(ASH) is a part of. This chapter provides insights from the work that ASH undertook under this project that was funded by the International Science Council (ISC) through the STEPS Centre. This research focused on enabling sustainable and equitable access to Solar Home Systems (SHS) for all via mobile-based payment systems, including those who cannot participate in micro-financing schemes.
5. Strengthening Non-State Actors in Climate Action during Post-COVID19 State by Charles Tonui et.al
This paper reviewed non-state actor driven climate actions & response to COVID-19 towards identifying synergies for post-2020 climate & post-COVID-19 period in the developing countries. The objective of the paper was to assess impact of COVID-19 on the non-state climate actors and actions in developing countries; and to identify lessons for synergies between climate actions and COVID-19 response for post-2020 climate & post-COVID-19 period.
6. The role of subnational governments in promoting people-centred COVID-19 response – highlights for Africa by Charles Tonui,Joanes Atela. Reviewed on 17th April, 2020.
The review focused on how the continent’s policy setting interplays the COVID-19 experience and more specifically the role of subnational governments in promoting people-centred COVID-19 response, highlighting priority lessons for emergency phase and post-pandemic reconstruction. Find the review brief here.
7. How is COVID-19 shaping Africa’s knowledge systems? by Joanes Atela and Nora Ndege
Reviewed on 8th May,2020.
This paper highlights some lessons that Africa can learn from the COVID-19 experience in the context of strengthening the continent’s ST&I systems. Find theBrief and blog here.
8. Last Mile’ Initiatives: Building Community Networks to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa by Kennedy Mbeva, Victoria Chengo, and Joanes Atela
This review was on community networks as part of non-state actors who have notably played a critical role in supporting livelihoods and businesses especially the poor in Africa. It looked at the role these networks have played in response to COVID-19. Find the review brief here and blog.
9. Disaster Risk management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa by Nairobi Hub Multihazard team
This brief provides some key highlights on the current disaster risk management landscape in Africa, and the lessons that can be learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic response that could enable a shift from reactive emergency response to a more integrated and proactive disaster risk preparedness and management. Supporting evidence and insights have been adopted from the Tomorrow’s Cities Nairobi Risk Hub (https://www.tomorrowscities.org/city/nairobi) supported by the UK’ Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF). Find the Review brief and Blog here.
10. Lessons for Africa’s Research in the face of COVID-19
This paper focused on how research and researchers in Africa can contextually support COVID-19 response efforts, including the implications on the post-pandemic research landscape. Review brief and Blog
11. Policy trade-offs and synergies for low emission dairy development (LEDD) in Kenya by Joel Onyango et al
This paper evaluates policy intervention trade-offs and synergies in low emission dairy development. The paper focuses on the dairy subsector for three reasons: firstly, the dairy subsector is responsible for significant contribution to GHG emissions (Gerssen-Gondelach et al., 2017; Vellinga et al., 2011) and recommending gaps in policy interventions that would promote low emission pathways is significant in climate mitigation. Secondly, the tripod puzzle in developing the dairy subsector requires climate sensitivity, that promote reduced emission, while encouraging increased productivity and livelihood benefits (Lal, 2016). The third reason is the multiple policy implementation levels with interest in low emission dairy development.
12. Energy transitions and gender gaps in energy access by Benjamin McIntosh-Michaelis (MSc in International Development at the University of Edinburgh, UK). Reviewed on 26th June, 2020
Energy transitions and gender gaps in energy access examines the interactions between gender, energy access, and transitions to green and renewable energy. Through a case study of Pundo Village, Kisumu County, the project assesses how gender gaps are influenced by, and have influence on, energy transitions.
13. Imaginaries of Energy Transformation in Kenya- by Anugrah Saputra (MSc in International Development at the University of Edinburgh, UK). Reviewed on 26th June, 2020
The aim of the research was to map out energy pathways in the country. Interviews with energy experts within the field using the Q-Method were undertaken in order to best compare the different opinions on the energy mix currently used in Kenya. This includes energy sources used to power the national grid as well as alternative energy sources, both renewable and non-renewable.
14. Fire Risk Assessment: Review of the Current State and Justifying Applicable Methodology for Mukuru by Haron Akala,STEVENS Sam,David Rush, and Tom Randa
Reviewed by 28th September,2020
This paper aims to highlight the current state of research in Nairobi on Fire, the existing methodologies used and knowledge gaps therein, and to justify fire risk assessment models that might be applicable to the city through a literature review.