On 11, 13 and 16 June, IFRA-Nigeria organized a practical research workshop titled “Observe, survey, map and draw relations with nature(s) in Ibadan Campus.” Its goal: introduce 20 master’s students to original methods of doing research, in particular anthropology and urbanism, and, most of all, to give them the opportunity to practice them within the campus.
Three researchers hosted this workshop: Dr François Nowakowski (National School of Architecture Strasbourg, France), Professor Aderemi Suleiman Ajala (University of Ibadan) and Dr Barbara Morovich (director of IFRA-Nigeria).
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IFRA-Nigeria, in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology of the University of Ibadan, and the Ecole Nationale d'Architecture de Strasbourg (France), organises a workshop on "Observe, survey, map and draw relations with nature(s) in Ìbàdàn Campus". This event will, over the course of three days, include theory, fieldwork and sessions dedicated to exchange. It will give selected participants the opportunity to experiment with survey protocols involving ethnographic observation, drawing and in-situ writing, but also the chance to question them. Overall, their goal will be to identify different forms of relationship between humans and non-humans on a day-to-day basis on campus, in order to raise awareness of the importance of non-humans on campus. Indeed, these methods of capturing a real experience take time and require one to stop and look, observe and record (Lucas, 2020). This pause, of varying length, will enable participants to rediscover the environment they are observing and trying to capture.
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Between 8 and 9 April, IFAS-Research in collaboration with IFRA-Nigeria, the History Workshop of Witwatersrand University, the University of Lille and the Worker's Museum of Johannesburg, organized a two-day workshop on the theme "Alternative Archives: Methods and objectives. Conversations between South Africa and Nigeria". This event brought together a diverse group of voices to engage in meaningful discussions about archives—both digital and non-digital—and their role in shaping history. More specifically, they focused on how to preserve non-institutional archives, non-colonial, and recovering forgotten or suppressed narratives.
Three of IFRA-Nigeria's collaborators also shared their work on archival preservation. Olushola Patrick Babalola, our documentalist and archivist, presented his efforts in training archivists in new techniques, alongside his own digitisation projects. In addition, two coordinators of our Alternative Archives Project highlighted their preservation initiatives, both within the project framework and through their individual research. Femi Olanrewaju showcased his work on preserving traditional architecture in Ibadan, while Dr Sa'eed Husaini discussed his project focused on the digitisation of militant archives. Scroll below to see pictures of this great event!
Visit the IFAS website to see the full program and the complete list of speakers.
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On 18 March, IFRA-Nigeria hosted the literary translator Mona de Pracontal for a one-of-a-kind event for IFRA-Nigeria: a translation workshop! Students and French-speaking professionals got to enjoy Mona's extensive insights in translation, based on her experience translating many authors into French, including many of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books and most recently The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma. The workshop gave the participants hands-on French into English translation experience, and introduced them to French literature through the graphic novel Broderies of French-Iranian writer Marjane Satrapi.
Click below to read a more detailed account of the workshop and see pictures of this event!
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On 28 February 2025, a workshop on "Digital transformation and integration of archival materials" was organized by IFRA Nigeria. The training workshop was carried out by an archivist from IFRA Nigeria, Mr Shola Babalola, supported by an archivist from the National Archives of Ibadan, Mr Austin Otigbu.
Twenty professionals were selected from different information centers like Libraries, Archives and Museums to participate.
The purpose of the workshop was to introduce and discuss the significance of transforming paper-based archival materials to digital contents and to look at the possibilities of integrating archival materials from different institutions into a specific platform for easy retrieval of information. The workshop also aimed at collaborating and creating an information sharing map where archival resources could be access and shared remotely.
The participants had the opportunity to explore some of IFRA's archival resources and practice using the Institute's equipments. This event was a great moment of learning and capacity-building for Nigerian professionals working on archive and digitization.
Click below to see some pictures of the event!
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Between the 6th and 7th of July 2023 a workshop on Sensory Ethnography was organised by Olúwatóbilóba Adéwùnmí and Salomé Isibhenmen Okoekpen (two P.h.D students and IFRA research fellows) on the 6th and 7th of July 2023 at the Institute of African Studies and IFRA. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce and discuss the significance of different senses in the production of ethnographic data, explore methodologies for sensory data collection and analysis, and examine the possibilities of disseminating research to a wider audience.
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As part of its programme on Digital Humanities and thanks to the funding of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IFRA-Nigeria has launched a new research project on the religious architectural heritage of Ibadan. Drawing from the fields of Digital Humanities, Architecture and the Socio-anthropology of religion, the objective is to map out, research and analyse the rich history and diverse aesthetics of all religious buildings in the capital of Oyo State. This project will run until April 2024.
A workshop gathering academics and professionals with a specific interest in the topic took place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 October 2022. The objective was to sum-up the existing research and literature on the topic and map out key future topics of research and engagement. The workshop was well-attended, with more than 35 people physically present at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan and up to a dozen online.
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As part of both its programmes on Digital Humanities and on Nigerian religious dynamics, IFRA-Nigeria is launching a new research project on the religious architectural heritage of Ibadan. Drawing from the fields of Digital Humanities, Architecture and the Socio-anthropology of religion, the objective is to map out, research and analyse the rich history and diverse aesthetics of all religious buildings in the capital of Oyo State.
A workshop gathering academics and professionals with a specific interest in the project will take place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 October 2022 at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. The objective is to sum-up the existing research and literature on the topic and map out key future topics of research and engagement. Click to know more about the programme and RSVP.
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As part of both its programmes on Digital Humanities and on Nigerian religious dynamics, IFRA-Nigeria is launching a new research project on the religious architectural heritage of Ibadan. Drawing from the fields of Digital Humanities, Architecture and the Socio-anthropology of religion, the objective is to map out, research and analyse the rich history and diverse aesthetics of all religious buildings in the capital of Oyo State. The project also has a strong training component, in order to develop the use of digital tools for the analysis and protection of religious architectural heritage. Finally, it aims at promoting the results of the project to a wider audience with the objective of sensitising the public on the need for preservation of this heritage.
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On May 31st 2022, IFRA-Nigeria offered a workshop on "How to apply for post-doc and academic positions in Europe" for its Fellows. During this workshop, Dr Vincent Hiribarren shared his best practices to apply for scholarships, post-doc and academic positions in Europe.
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