The fellows of the fourth sprint introduce themselves
In response to our Call for Applications, we received an overwhelming number of outstanding applications. We are proud to announce and recognise our 25 participants, a mix of academics and practitioners from 14 African countries, across a wide range of disciplines and focus areas.
The Sprint is a collaborative, open environment during which participants are expected to work with peers and experts from around Africa and beyond to produce evidence-based reflections on the digital economy and its implications particularly for Africa. We are pleased to introduce our fellows cohort that will take part in the endeavour.
HIIG Research Sprint | FELLOWS
 | Adio-Adet Dinika Affiliation: University of Bremen, Germany Area of Focus: Digitalisation, digital labour rights, digital economy | |
 | Animata Kidiera Affiliation: Gaston Berger University, Senegal Area of focus: digital law, AI ethics Statement: "Taking part at the sprint has been a great challenge, opportunity and discovery for me as a PHD candidate dealing since newly about framework regulatory and ethics AI. I hope further that digital issues in Africa as data security may be highlighted and addressed." | |
 | Ayça Atabey Affiliation: University of Edinburgh Area of focus: data protection, information privacy, human rights | |
 | Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi Affiliation: Internet Society/ KNUST Area of focus: network & telecommunications engineering Statement: "Africa has a great potential for development thanks to digital technology, especially with the youth population. The dynamism of the youth counts a lot. Our Africa needs our young people to see their differences not as a gap but as an opportunity to do better for themselves and their communities. Also, girls and women must increasingly be encouraged to seize the digital opportunity." | |
 | Benjamin Akinmoyeje Affiliation: Namibia University of Science and Technology Area of focus: digital health applications Statement: "Participating in the virtual sprint gives me the opportunity to build capacity and engage in the discourse of how Africa should play in the digital transformation era. It will be of immense importance if the virtual sprint can produce leaders and champions with capacity to shape Africa’s broader engagement positively towards the ethical adoption of AI and digital transformations moving forward." | |
 | Blaise Bayuo Affiliation: Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Area of focus: technology & financial access, health technology | |
 | Bridget Boakye Affiliation: Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Area of focus: internet policy, AI ethics Statement: "I was interested in being a part of the Sprint given the intersection of the topics explored and my work in internet policy. It's been a great opportunity to join likeminds committed to designing policy solutions fit for the challenges of digital age." | |
 | Emma Ruiters Affiliation: Genesis Analytics Area of focus: digital economy, ICT policy | |
 | Fatih Obafemi Affiliation: Future Proof Intelligence Area of focus: technology law, blockchain, cryptocurrency Statement: "It is time for Africa to take a creator position and not just a consumer position with respect to emerging technologies. Developing a strong inclusive and comprehensive regulatory framework is a good way to start. I am excited to be part of this Fellowship where topics like this are discussed." | |
 | Halefom Abraha Affiliation: University of Malta Area of focus: cross-border data & jurisdiction, internet governance | |
 | Ibtissam Chafia Affiliation: Mohammed 6 Polytechnic University/ OCP Group Area of focus: data science, machine learning | |
 | Jaquelene Mwangi Affiliation: Harvard Law School Area of focus: law, technology, innovation | |
 | Julius Mboizi Affiliation: Harvard Law School Area of focus: technology policy & regulation | |
 | Lydia Namugabo Affiliation: University of South Africa Area of focus: information systems | |
 | Michael Asiedu Affiliation: University of St. Gallen Area of focus: digital censorship | |
 | Ngwinui Azenui Affiliation: Denison University Area of focus: economics, structural change Statement: "We are in an increasingly globalized and knowledge-based era, and African countries are working towards becoming emerging markets and adopting new technologies. Well-defined rules, policies and better working institutions are necessary for African countries to reap the benefits of digitalization and develop their own technologies. The sprint helps foster such discussions and policy recommendations." | |
 | Oarabile Mudongo Affiliation: Research ICT Africa; University of the Witwatersrand Area of focus: AI surveillance, facial recognition Statement: "With increased digitalization and datafication, there is a great need for global discourse on data policy and society. A topical issues I'm very passionate about, now this fellowship helps foster these debates through advocacy, multilateral collaboration and inputs from various stakeholders." | |
 | Odilile Ayodele Affiliation: Independent Area of focus: International relations, digital transformation | |
 | Olusesan Ayodele Affiliation: Obademi Awolowo University Area of focus: technology management, information engineering Statement: "Africa should not experience digital colonization, the best time to act is now. My inclusion as a fellow in SPRINT has provoked my thought to design a regional ICT policy framework as a panacea towards digital sovereignty in the continent." | |
 | Peace Amuge Affiliation: Women of Uganda Network Area of focus: digital human rights, internet governance | |
 | Peter Mmbando Affiliation: Southern Africa Youth Forum Area of focus: digital rights & inclusion | |
 | Sadrag Shihomeka Affiliation: University of Namibia Area of focus:educational technologies, digital literacy Statement: "Digital literacy serves as a pillar for digital liberated minds in Africa. Thereofre, my passion on digital ethics, online rights vs offline rights as well as digital de/colonialism initiatives prompted me to actively take part in this sprint. To me this sprint is an additional extension of direct democracy and online particiaptory sovereignity in Africa." | |
 | Sylvia Mutua Affiliation: Communication University of China Area of focus: content governance, digital literacy | |
 | Tarirayi Machiwenyika-Mukabeta Affiliation: Bindura University of Science Education Area of focus: educational technology, computer science | |
 | Winnie Kamau Affiliation: Talk Africa Area of focus: data journalism, data visualisation |
About the research project
The research sprint is part of the NoC research project “The Ethics of Digitalisation – From Principles to Practices”, which aims to develop viable answers to challenges at the intersection of ethics and digitalisation. Innovative formats facilitate interdisciplinary scientific work on application-, and practice oriented questions and achieve outputs of high social relevance and impact. The project promotes an active exchange between science, politics and society and thus contributes to a global dialogue on the ethics of digitalisation.
Besides the HIIG, the main project partners are the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University, the Digital Asia Hub, and the Leibniz Institute for Media Research I Hans-Bredow-Institut.
The project is under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and is funded by Stiftung Mercator.
Project Team
- Sprint Chair: Padmashree Gehl Sampath
- Regional Partner: Fiona Tregenna
- Regional Team from SARChI-ID, University of Johannesburg: Phumzile Ncube, Koketso Dlangamandla-Manyane, Nicola King and Alexis Habiyaremye
- HIIG Project Team: Nadine Birner and Matthias C. Kettemann
Keep in touch
Would you like to receive the latest news on internet and social research? Subscribe to our newsletters.