UK Africa Media and Democracy Research Network

UK-Africa Media and Democracy Research Network

DIgital Media

The project focused on engaging in international collaborative research on Media and Democracy. Dr. Winston Mano (University of Westminster, UK), along with Lynete Lusike Mukhongo (Moi University), received a grant from the British Academy, under the International Partnership and Mobility Scheme, to carry out research on media and democracy and launch a collaborative network: UK-Africa Media and Democracy Research Network. http://www.britac.ac.uk/funding/awards/intl/international_partnership_and_mobility.cfm

As part of the project, they hosted an international conference at Westminster University on 29th March 2014, which drew participants from different countries in Africa and Europe. The theme of the conference was Media and Elections in Africa. Thereafter, they held a workshop for faculty, journalists, bloggers, and graduate students in Nairobi, Kenya, themed: Citizen Journalism and democracy in Africa: New Questions in a New Era

The specific activities carried out by the project included:

  • Selected staff from the University of Westminster, UK and Moi University, Kenya to participate in mutual collaborations on media’s role in elections and democracy
  • Developed and managed budgets for various research initiatives within the project.
  • Organized visiting speakers and events to promote understanding of media and democracy
  • Attended faculty-student seminars, public events and colloquia.
  • Participated in networking activities among academics and journalists
  • Jointly organized short intensive workshops, a conference and and delivered guest lectures