Fostering Research Excellence and Leadership in
Social Sciences and Humanities
The Social Science Cluster Regional Workshop, organized under the auspices of FAR-LeaF at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, is designed to be an enriching platform for collaborative learning, research excellence, and development of participants’ leadership and research in Social Sciences. Ahmadu Bello University's art and humanities programs are crucial to the social sciences and are central to epistemological pursuits. However, these programs face challenges regarding mentorship, leadership, and collaborative sustainability for qualitative research, and for this research, the workshop is a timely remediation intervention. The overarching theme for this workshop, which reflects the event's central goals and aspirations, is Fostering Research Excellence and Leadership in Social Sciences and humanities. The workshop targets early career and emerging researchers because they are the university’s potential think tanks. The workshop aims to enable attendees to further their careers, enhance their knowledge, and broaden their professional connections. The workshop also intends to encourage collaborative learning and research development within the social sciences and humanities, ultimately improving the academic and research achievements of Ahmadu Bello University and Future Africa Science, thereby elevating their reputation.
Objectives
The core focus of this workshop can be distilled into several key components, with the objectives to:
Foster Collaboration and Scholarly Networking through networking among participants, thereby encouraging meaningful connections and exchange of research insights.
Enhance Research Skills by improving the research skills of fellows and attendees, equipping them with essential tools for successful research, including methodologies, data analysis techniques, and guiding them to grant writing.
Develop Leadership and Mentorship Skills by nurturing leadership and mentorship capabilities within the field, with experienced mentors guiding participants on effective leadership practices and career development.
Address Research Challenges and Complexities in social science research, including ethical considerations, interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, sustainable research, and career advancement strategies.
Deepen Expertise by providing a platform for participants to deepen their expertise in their respective fields through focused discussions and interactive sessions.
Workshop Structure
The workshop will span two intensive days, packed with engaging sessions that align with the above objectives. Consequently, it is structured as follows:
Day 1: Collaborative Research and Skills Enhancement
There shall be two sessions, morning and afternoon. In the morning session, participants will engage in collaborative and networking activities and benefit from a keynote address on the significance of collaboration in Social Sciences and humanities. The afternoon session will enhance research skills by exploring sustainable trends, transdisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity, and grant-writing techniques.
Day 2: Leadership Development and Research Challenges
On Day 2, the workshop will cover leadership development and mentorship strategies in the morning session and end with discussions on overcoming research challenges and reflections on workshop takeaways.
Expected Outcomes
The workshop aims to empower participants to advance their careers, deepen their expertise, and expand their professional networks. It is envisaged to promote collaborative learning and research evelopment within the Social Sciences and enhance the academic and research outputs of Ahmadu Bello University and the Future Africa Science, thereby elevating their status.
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