2025 Afrobarometer Summer School Helps African Researchers Improve Data Analysis Abilities

Cape Town – A cohort of thirty-two young African researchers from 14 different nations are enhancing their research and analytical abilities at the 2025 Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) English-language Summer School and Thematic Workshop, taking place at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

Over half of the participants in the program are women, highlighting Afrobarometer’s commitment to empowering female researchers.

The Summer School offered by Afrobarometer is an introductory analysis course aimed at equipping young scholars from Africa with vital skills in research design, survey methodology, and data analysis, with a particular focus on public opinions regarding democracy, governance, and other significant issues.

Scheduled from 13 to 31 January 2025, the Summer School will provide participants the chance to delve into various topics such as climate change views, support for military governance versus democracy, and attitudes related to refugees, free trade, open borders, healthcare access, and women’s involvement.

Following this, a two-week intermediate Thematic Workshop will occur from 20 January to 2 February, concentrating on enhancing data collection and analysis skills among African researchers, promoting impactful research, and bolstering research networks across African institutions.

As stated by Jason Owen, Afrobarometer’s capacity building manager (advanced track), both the Summer School and Thematic Workshop are crucial forums for skill development, collaboration, and research advancement that strive to tackle Africa’s pressing governance issues.

“By fostering a new generation of scholars and promoting the production of analytical results utilizing Afrobarometer’s extensive open access datasets, we are enhancing African representation and supporting data-driven policymaking throughout the continent,” he remarked.

Participants express optimism regarding the transformative potential of the workshop.

“In my role as a humanitarian and development communication specialist, I collaborate with communities and policymakers to address political engagement challenges faced by refugees and internally displaced individuals,” remarked Ruth Nakayima, a research assistant and communication officer with Hatchile Consult Ltd and Plan International Uganda.

“This workshop will enhance my ability to comprehend geopolitics and utilize data for social development.”