By Diana Mwau, Bosibori Barake
Seminar Week session at Nuvoni Photo credit: LEARN, 2024
The Thesis Lab Seminar Week held on 27th -31st January in Nairobi provided an immersive and enriching experience for participants embarking on their research journeys. The thematic focus of the cohort is on disaster risk management, energy planning and clean cooking. The thesis lab brought together a diversity of participants from the University of Nairobi, Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology, KCA University, Leiden University and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).
Designed to equip students with essential skills, critical insights, and a strong research foundation, the seminar hosted by Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research brought together experienced researchers and peers in a collaborative learning space.
Visit to Youthprinua. Photo credit: LEARN, 2024
The week-long seminar offered guidance to students through the key stages of thesis development, from refining research questions to data collection and presentation of findings. Discussions centered on research methodologies, ethical considerations and the practical challenges of conducting independent research.
The seminar featured a mix of expert talks, hands-on workshops, and peer discussions: Esteemed researchers shared insights on interdisciplinary research, fieldwork expectations, practicalities and cultural code, minimising research waste, quantitative methods, action research, diary keeping and research valorisation. These lectures were tailored to support the student activities and offered a one-of-a-kind experience and resources necessary to prepare their thesis development.
Interactive sessions involved students sharing their research projects, refining them and co-developing field work plans. Participants presented their thesis proposals, receiving constructive feedback from mentors and fellow researchers. The highlight of the week was a visit to the Youthprinua initiative based along Nairobi River at Babadogo settlement. The exchange between the initiative members and the students was an introduction to potential research areas and experiences.
A walk along the Mathare River Photo credit: LEARN, 2024
Key takeaways included the importance of clarity and focus on formulating research questions, effective strategies for data collection and analysis, navigating research ethics and academic integrity, techniques for structuring and writing a compelling thesis.
While the seminar provided valuable learning opportunities, participants were also challenged to refine broad research topics into manageable study areas and balancing theoretical frameworks with practical applications. However, with continuous mentorship and peer support, these challenges became learning moments that strengthened their research approaches.
As the seminar week concluded, participants left with a clear research direction and actionable insights to enhance their thesis projects. The next steps include follow-up mentorship sessions, access to additional resources and opportunities for collaborative research.
The Thesis Lab Seminar Week not only reinforced academic rigor but also fostered a sense of community among young researchers. As participants move forward with their thesis work, the lessons learned during the week will undoubtedly shape their research journey and future contributions to their respective fields.
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