English
FrançaisFrom January 6th to 7th, 2025, I was honoured to facilitate the second international workshop on research project writing and online data production tools in insecure contexts, hosted in Bamako. Following the success of the first workshop in Ouagadougou, this event was another step forward in equipping researchers with practical skills to navigate the complexities of modern research in challenging environments like ours in the Sahel.
Highlights
This two-day event brought together over 50 doctoral students, academics, and practitioners from various institutions (Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso). The first day set the tone with dynamic project presentations that showcased the diversity of research interests and challenges faced in our contexts. Here’s a recap of the key presentations:
- Group 1: Dr. Esther Konsimbo, Mr. Ismaël Compaoré, and Mr. Bourahima Konkobo presented on “L’impact des médias sur les jeunes : les différences de perception entre les jeunes des zones urbaines et rurales.”
- Group 2: Collaborating with Professor Heidi Bojsen and Mr. Souleymane Lamine, I contributed to a presentation on “Dynamiques complexes entre les anciennes puissances coloniales et leurs anciennes colonies en Afrique de l’Ouest.” We focused on the role of influential users from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
- Group 3: Dr. Amado Kaboré and Dr. Marcel Bagaré discussed “Médias et éducation dans l’espace sahélien.” The session explored the interplay between media and educational strategies in the Sahel, emphasising the region’s unique challenges.
- Group 4: I joined Mme Bintou Koné, Pr. Rosa DeJorio, Pr. Brema Ely Dicko, Dr. Youssouf Karambé, and Dr. Waliyu Karimu to present on “Circulation de (fausses) informations sur les réseaux sociaux : les nouvelles modalités de fonctionner des influenceurs.” This session examined how misinformation spreads and the evolving role of influencers, a particularly relevant topic given the rapid digitization of information in the region.
Each presentation was followed by constructive observations and lively discussions, led by moderators and audience members who brought diverse perspectives.
Practical training sessions
A major highlight of the workshop was the hands-on training sessions using my dedicated resource site. Participants were guided through practical exercises on Zotero for managing references and Gephi for network analysis. The interactive approach allowed participants to practice using these tools in real time, ensuring they left with not just theoretical knowledge but practical skills to enhance their research workflows. The engagement and enthusiasm of the participants were truly inspiring.
Overcoming challenges
As is common with such workshops, network issues presented a challenge during certain sessions. However, the team’s adaptability ensured these obstacles did not detract from the participants’ experience.
So ?
Facilitating this workshop was a rewarding experience. Building on lessons from Ouagadougou, I refined my approach to suit the unique needs of the Bamako audience. Seeing participants connect the dots and leave the workshop with new tools and strategies was incredibly fulfilling. You can imagine, managing 50+ doctoral students along with senior researchers was no easy task!
Looking ahead
Workshops like these demonstrate the need for knowledge-sharing platforms that bridge research and practice in regions facing security and resource constraints. I am committed to continuing this work and am already looking forward to future collaborations with the network.
I invite you to read about my experience at the first workshop in Ouagadougou here.
Let me know if you’d like more details about these workshops or the tools we explored!