The Centre for Social and Political Research (CSPR), established in 2019, is a dynamic, multidisciplinary research hub hosted in the Department of History, Political Science and Development Studies within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Centre produces cutting-edge, policy-relevant evidence that responds to Africa’s most pressing governance, development, and societal challenges.

Structure and Expertise

CSPR is guided by a Steering Committee and supported by Coordinators and a highly qualified team of Researchers at PhD and Master’s levels. This strong institutional architecture ensures research excellence, strategic collaboration, and effective knowledge translation into policy and practice.

Strategic Focus Areas

CSPR’s work is driven by high-impact priority areas:

  • Governance and Natural Resource Stewardship
  • Public Sector Leadership and Performance Excellence
  • Public Health Systems and Policy Innovation
  • Strategic Development Planning and Delivery
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Results
  • Culture, Heritage and Ethical Transformation
  • Democracy and Accountable Governance 

 

Research Clusters

CSPR delivers its agenda through specialized, results-oriented research clusters:

  • Digital Governance and Innovation (DIGI): Examines how digital technologies are reshaping governance, with a focus on digital citizenship, smart governance, and the socio-political implications of ICTs.
  • Governmentality and Political Economy (GOPE): Explores how governments shape policies, power relations, and public discourse, with emphasis on political economy, global governance, and strategic communication.
  • Public Administration and Management Reforms (PAMARE): Investigates public sector reforms in Africa, focusing on human resource management, service delivery, and institutional performance.
  • Cultures and Ethics of Sustainability (CESU): Addresses sustainability challenges through the lens of culture and ethics, including climate action, responsible practices, and environmental stewardship.
  • Peasantry and Rural Livelihood (PERULI): Examines rural transformation in Africa, including agricultural systems, land tenure, food security, livelihood diversification, and resilience to shocks.
  • Intellectual History, Ethnic and Gender Studies (IHEGE): Explores historical and contemporary issues related to gender, ethnicity, and intellectual traditions in Africa.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in Africa (MELA): Strengthens the design and institutionalization of monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, advancing context-specific African approaches. 

Value and Impact

CSPR delivers actionable, evidence-driven insights that inform policy, strengthen institutions, and accelerate sustainable development outcomes. By bridging research, policy, and practice, the Centre serves as a catalyst for inclusive governance and transformative change across Africa