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Locally-led humanitarian research

In this episode, we are focusing on locally-led humanitarian research. On the SHIFT programme example and reflecting on our partnerships with researchers in Ukraine and Poland, we discuss how local specialists are and should be involved in data collection, analysis, and research design.

Tune in to hear from Maryana Zaviyska, Chief of Project Portfolio at Open Space Works, a Ukrainian female-led private social change enterprise, Myroslava Keryk, President of Ukrainian House Foundation, a Polish civic organisation focused on integration of migrants and refugees, and Elisa Sandri, Research & Evaluation Specialist at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.

Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Buzzsprout.

About the speakers

Maryana Zaviyska holds Masters Degree in Philosophy from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. As an independant consultant, Maryana has an extensive experience supporting organisations and communities in stakeholder engagement, dialogue, and collaboration processes for high impact solutions. In her current role as Chief of Project Portfolio at Open Space Works, Maryana provides stakeholders analysis and engagement, organisational and community development, and facilitates transformation processes using Technology of Open Space, Future Search, and World Cafe.

Myroslava Keryk has an MA in History from the Central European University and is a historian, sociologist and specialist in field of migration of Ukrainians to Poland. She is also head of the civic organization Ukrainian House (Fundacja Ukraiński Dom). She has 20 years’ experience in civic activity directed towards the integration of migrants and refugees. In her daily work she combines the integration of Ukrainian refugees and migrants in Poland with research projects in the field of migration studies. She was also a member of the Commission for Migration organized under the auspices of the Spokesman for Citizens’ Rights in Poland. She received the “Golden Fan” award from the International Organization for Migration Poland for the activities directed on integration of migrants in Poland and the Badge of Honor of Merit for Warsaw. She was nominated to the title of the Warsaw Woman 2022.

Elisa Sandri is the Research and Evaluation Specialist at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. She leads and oversees all the research and evaluation under the Sustainable Humanitarian Innovation for Transformation (SHIFT) programme, funded by the Disaster Emergency Committee, in Ukraine and Türkiye/Syria. She works closely with researchers, civil society actors, academics and INGOs to produce research that provides insights into the humanitarian responses organised by local organisations, volunteers and grassroots organisations. Elisa has published a number of academic articles, conference papers and a book chapter based on her research on informal humanitarian aid for people on the move in Northern France in 2015-16. In previous roles, she worked as an evaluation consultant for a range of UN agencies and international organisations, including UNHCR, IOM, WFP and the Norwegian Refugee Council. She has an MA in Anthropology of Development from the University of Sussex, and a BA in Social Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Buzzsprout.

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The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.

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