Capacity building: Advanced Academic Writing and Research Workshops for Humanities postgraduate students

The proposed event is a two-day workshop designed to create a forum for addressing research methods and advanced academic writing challenges, equipping postgraduate students with essential research and writing skills. Seasoned scholars will deliver talks on key topics, including the value and presentation of academic research in Africa’s socio-economic progress, the complexities of conducting research, and core principles of humanities writing. Training will also guide students in publishing, particularly converting theses into articles suitable for leading international journals. Day one focuses on expert presentations covering research, writing, and publishing themes, followed by a plenary where students share and discuss their experiences with mentors.

Day two allows students with completed research to showcase their findings to peers and mentors for constructive feedback. The afternoon features one-on-one mentoring sessions to refine work, preparing it for thesis submission or journal publication.

Overall, these exchanges should enhance writing quality, boost publication rates, expand networks, and foster lasting collaborations, aiding young scholars in establishing their academic careers. The workshop aims for 40 participants from the National University of Lesotho’s Faculty of Humanities—selected from respondents at the writing stage of humanities projects, prioritizing those with dissertations ready for publication.

This aligns closely with the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI)’s mission to elevate emerging scholars’ research output and tackle Africa’s economic and social issues. It bridges the divide between research and development continent-wide by training new researchers in vital skills often unavailable in Africa. Additionally, it strengthens YSI’s footprint in Lesotho, encouraging postgraduate involvement in its expanding network.