The University of Warwick Strengthens Partnerships with Africa Through Academic Law Events
The University of Warwick's School of Law has highlighted its deep connections with Africa through a series of impactful academic events in Nairobi that celebrated collaboration, inclusion, and global engagement.
Marking the University’s 60th anniversary the School of Law hosted three interconnected events in Nairobi, Kenya, showcasing the transformational impact of Warwick's partnerships in Africa. These events demonstrate the Warwick Africa Hub's dedication to building equitable partnerships through the exchange of knowledge, collaborative research, and inclusive education.
Warwick Law School Public Lecture at USIU-Africa Engages Over 100 Participants
On March 27 2025, Warwick’s School of Law partnered with the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) for a public lecture that engaged over 100 students, academics, and legal professionals.
The session, held in Nairobi and streamed virtually, provided a platform for exploring legal and social justice topics relevant to the African and global context.
Speakers included:
-
Dr. Jeremmy Okonjo, Assistant Professor of Law on “Law and Technology: Challenges for Global South Development in the Digital Age.”
-
Prof. Ann Stewart, Professor of Law on “Older People or Older Women and Men? Reflections on Gender & Ageism.”
-
Caroline Rushingwa, International Liaison Lead, Africa, and Africa Chair, BUILA, on "Study Opportunities at the University of Warwick," highlighting the University’s commitment to supporting African students in higher education.
Professor Ann Stewart shared: “It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to share my research on older women and men's rights in Africa and the challenges that ageing presents for policy makersin such a positive environment. USIU offered us a wonderfully vibrant academic environment!”
Special appreciation was extended to Terry Odhiambo, member of staff at USIU and presently a Warwick PhD student, for her instrumental role in organising the event.
Warwick and University of Nairobi Host Pioneering Workshop on Environmental Governance
The following day, on March 28, 2025, Warwick joined forces with the University of Nairobi Faculty of Law to host a high-level hybrid workshop: “Law and Development Perspectives of Environmental Governance in Africa.”
The event featured:
-
Critical talks by Warwick scholars Dr. Jeremmy Okonjo, Prof. Ann Stewart, Prof. Gabrielle Lynch, and Prof. Abdul Paliwala.
-
Engaged responses by Kenyan experts Prof. Robert Kibugi, Prof. Ben M. Sihanya, and others.
-
Opening and closing reflections from Prof. Winnie Kamau, Prof. Sarah Kinyanjui, and Dr. Agnes Meroka-Mutua.
This workshop underscored the value of collaborative research in addressing Africa’s most urgent environmental and legal challenges.
Caroline Rushingwa, International Liaison Lead for Africa and Africa Chair of BUILA said: “As an alumna of Warwick’s MA Public Policy, it was both a joy and a privilege to take part in this workshop and engage with students at the University of Nairobi. Events like this not only celebrate the academic partnership between our institutions, but also create a global network of changemakers.”
“Law in Development” Workshop to Empower Africa’s Emerging Legal Scholars
In a fitting finale to the series, Warwick hosted a 2-day “Law in Development” Workshop in Nairobi, attended by 35 scholars from across Eastern and Southern Africa with an emphasis on capacity building among early career researchers (ECRs).
This initiative included:
Day One: A dynamic academic workshop fostering dialogue between established and emerging scholars culminating in a public roundtable discussion featuring leading African judges and academicians.
Day Two: A publication writing workshop led by journal editors, media professionals and Warwick academics, supporting participants in crafting academic papers and impactful opinion pieces.
The workshop facilitated the further development of the African Judiciaries Research Network (AJRN) - a growing hub for collaborative scholarship on law and development in Africa. It included sessions for Warwick alumni and offer holders, led by the student recruitment team, which fostered networking and offered insights into opportunities at Warwick.
These events continue Warwick’s School of Law and the University’s commitment to inclusive education and research by supporting the development of Africa’s next generation of legal thinkers and public intellectuals, paving the way for future collaborations and opportunities for students and scholars.
Africa is undergoing a remarkable period of economic and social transformation, with higher education playing a key role. By deepening our understanding of our partners' priorities and development needs, the Warwick Africa Hub is fostering collaborations based on principles of mutually beneficial engagement.
For more information about these initiatives or to explore study and research opportunities with Warwick, please visit the Warwick Africa Hub websiteLink opens in a new window.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About the Warwick Africa Hub
The Warwick Africa Hub was established in 2022 to focus on advancing new research ideas unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries and innovative education initiatives. Our ambition is for collaborations that extend beyond universities.
We have strong cross-cultural relationships with individuals and institutions across sub-Saharan Africa. Our new collaborations are driving global change.