Pastoralism and Drylands Development
seminar series
Join the Pastoralism and Drylands Development seminar series in Nairobi on the second Thursday of each month to discuss cutting edge research into pastoralism and the drylands of the Greater Horn of Africa.
Starting on 17 April 2025, the PADD seminar series will bring together practitioners, researchers and policy makers, providing a space where, together, we can debate developments affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 60 million pastoralists across the region.
This seminar series offers a well-needed local forum to explore new ideas about the past, present and future of pastoralism. It follows recent advancements in our understandings of pastoralism, drylands development and natural resource governance in Africa and will touch on both well-established and newly emerging topics, including early warning systems and climate change, infrastructure development and ‘mega projects’, humanitarian planning and practice, water management, peace and security, livestock marketing and many others.
The series responds to new conversations emerging across multiple sectors and disciplines, which are collectively provoking a rethink of old approaches to policy and practice. It provides an opportunity for discussion among diverse stakeholders with the aim of building bridges across research, policy and practice.
Join us to exchange ideas, hear new perspectives and engage in friendly debate about the core issues shaping Africa’s drylands.
Join us to exchange ideas, hear new perspectives and engage in friendly debate about the core issues shaping Africa’s drylands.
Organisers: Samuel Derbyshire, Tahira Mohamed and Rahma Hassan
Location: British Institute in Eastern Africa seminar room, Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa, Nairobi
Time/date: second Thursday of every month, 14:00-16:00 [live streaming available]
Seminars:
17th April 2025 (1400-1600 EAT) – Prof Gufu Oba – ‘Historical ecological perspectives on pastoralism in the Greater Horn of Africa’.
8 May 2025 – Dr Daniel Salau Rogei – ‘Voices from Below: Troubled Landscapes and the Changing Nature of Livestock Raiding in Turkana and West Pokot‘.
12 June 2025 – Dr Rahma Hassan – ‘Rethinking vulnerability and humanitarian assistance in the pastoral drylands‘.
11 July 2025 – Dr Fred Ikanda and Dr Samuel Derbyshire – ‘Pastoralists and refugees: livelihood and kinship across shifting contexts’.
9 October 2025 – Dr Jackson Wachira and Ms Nancy Balfour – ‘The mixed resilience outcomes of water interventions in the Horn of Africa Drylands’.
22 October 2025 – Dr Achiba Gargule – ‘Shadow State and the politics of community land reform in Kenya’s northern wildlife frontier‘.
24 November 2025 – ‘Weather and climate information from the frontlines of change: Insights from Wajir‘ – panel discussion convened by Jameel Observatory, Mercy Corps and SPARC. Register to attend in-person / Register to join online
Convened by the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action, the Dryland Futures Academy and the Rift Valley Institute, the monthly series is hosted by the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA).
