What we do

Research

Introduction

The AIAS strategy is to focus on land and agrarian reform, and then cumulatively expand towards the other thematic areas. In all the cases, a strong rural development thrust within a broader socio-economic development framework will be propagated. The research programmes will start with pilot research projects intended to enhance the wider research agenda of the institute. The on-going network based research by senior scholars in Africa are intended to sharpen the research programmes of the institute through elaboration of the thematic areas, clarity in methodologies, framework for policy analysis, methods of policy influence and scope for assessment of impacts.

This collaborative research programme is being jointly organised with other networks such as CODESRIA, CLASCO and IDEAS to encourage exchange among overlapping networks with varied perspectives, methodologies and advocacy agenda.

The institute intends to pursue research through a phased cumulative process of networking that is grounded on solid research across the entire continent utilising senior scholars and institutions with a focus and expertise in the politics, economy and social relations of land and natural resources. The key network themes undertaken over this strategy period will include:

1. Land and Agrarian Question; and Reform
   
2. Sustainable Development and Land Question
   
3. Gender Relations and Land Access
   
4. Rural Social Movements and Land Rights
   
5. Land Tenure and Property Rights
   
6. Agrarian Labour Questions
   
7. Urban Land Question
   
8. Agricultural Land Use, Markets and Trade
   
9. Global Political Economy: Markets, Capital and Aid

In addition to the largely African research networks above, National Working Groups (NWG) will be promoted. A national case/programme will be commissioned through calls for proposals. The studies will cover some of the above issues, with the key emphasis being on the national specificities of particular problems.

The strategy followed in the AIAS is to utilise senior scholars to open up a research agenda on the agrarian question and thus create interest and mobilise resources for future research. Each region and country will comprise key academics involved in land issues as key trendsetters in research and policy in land and agrarian issues.

Each regional research programme will be located in an independent policy research institution with an interest in land and agrarian issues and policy. Younger scholars will be encouraged to do detailed empirical case studies at different levels of analysis in the different projects.

The networks are being incorporated purely based on their strength in research, networking, and funding of land and agrarian issues. Thus a constellation of organisations with like minded objectives and vision will be key in defining the programme objectives of the institute. Further more the aim is to use these networks as a basis for spreading out the geographical coverage of the regions and countries in Africa .