MAPS 2nd Summer School was a success!
We have successfully concluded the 2nd MAPS Summer School – Migration and Displacement Action Plan for Sub-Saharan Africa – held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2–6 February 2026), in collaboration with the University of Dodoma. The Summer School brought together 50 researchers — 40 from the MAPS project and 10 from the University of Dodoma and the University of Dar es Salaam — along with emeritus professors and senior scholars from Europe and Africa.
The programme combined intensive training and collaborative work aimed at equipping researchers with the methodological tools necessary to conduct rigorous, policy-oriented research on migration and displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout the week, participants engaged in advanced discussions on qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data analysis, and the integration of mixed-methods designs. Sessions addressed international migration data sources, evidence-based decision-making, and the specific data challenges affecting the Sub-Saharan region. Additional topics included sampling hard-to-reach populations, research protocols, vulnerability in research ethics, and institutional ethical review processes.
A defining feature of the Summer School was its strong practical orientation. Researchers took part in hands-on exercises and structured group work directly linked to the development and harmonisation of their own research projects. Dedicated sessions enabled participants to present their work, receive feedback from senior scholars, and critically assess the most appropriate methodological approaches for their specific research questions and contexts. Beyond advanced methodological training, the Summer School provided not only advanced methodological training, but also a valuable space for interdisciplinary exchange, capacity building, and the strengthening of collaboration across African and European research institutions.
* The MAPS Project—coordinated by the UNESCO Chair in Migrations, Population, and Development at Sapienza University of Rome— promotes evidence-based policy solutions on migration and displacement and involves a multidisciplinary consortium from Europe and Africa. Partner institutions include six Italian universities hosting UNESCO Chairs (Sapienza, Udine, University Iuav of Venice, Brescia, Ferrara, and Reggio Calabria), the University of Barcelona (Spain), the University of Dodoma (Tanzania), the University of Kabale (Uganda), and AMREF International University (Kenya). Advisory institutions contributing to the MAPS initiative include the IOM Regional Data Hub for West and Central Africa, the Catholic University of Rwanda, and the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa).
