Shaping a digitally supported- ecosystem of emerging African scholars: My exploits, dreams and nightmares.

In this presentation, I will reflect on some of the key milestones and challenges that I have made/faced since February 6th 2016 (when I spearheaded the hosting of a student led conference on State of Postgraduate research in Africa) in shaping an ecosystem of emerging African scholars (in Africa and diaspora). Using specific cases as key illustrations I will employ critical paradigm aspects like “multivocality and reflection- and engage the participants in a deliberative dialogue aimed at unveiling possible strategies that can be employed to spur forth further development of the ecosystem. Of specific interest will be ideas that can help embolden the emerging African scholars’ efforts to tap into IT as a vehicle of amplifying our voice in shaping the post graduate training and research agenda in Africa