The Institute of Social Studies stemmed from the Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (IFAN) founded in Dakar in 1936. It includes five departments: social economy and anthropology; population sciences; education sciences; law, political science and history; and linguistics and national languages. These departments are supported by three technical services in charge of audiovisual archives, cartography and documentation.

Within the HaB program, INSS collaborates directly with ISH Mali on indigo as axis of knowledge production and transfer. To this end, the two institutes signed an agreement in 2019. Accordingly, they embedded in their projects joint research and training activities. This collaboration strengthens the cross-border effort as well as it opens up to mutual partner institutes in Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, and India.

In partnership with HaB, INSS and Taiwan National University of Arts in Taipei plan a training school for craftspeople and artisans. INSS has received funding from the national research center (CNRST) to facilitate a study-abroad trip to Kenyon College. INSS and Kyoto Seika University are working toward publishing a research article on textiles in Burkina Faso. Chiang Mai University in Thailand and INSS are exploring a program to train Burkina students and monitor field research projects in Burkina Faso.

INSS’s local academic partners are the Polytechnic School of Ouagadougou, Universtity Ouaga 1 – Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, and University Nazi Boni, Bobo-Dioulasso. Are also closely associated local community groups such as Génération Joseph Ki-Zerbo (student association), Association d’appui et d’éveil pugsada, Association Zak-Yidgri (women in a precarious habitat zone), and students of the informal settlement Nioko 2 (Sainte Agathe School).

Among the possible new developments under HaB 2.0, INSS and the Bamako-based Institute of Humanities have proposed joint activities, which should enable each party to benefit from the expertise base of the other. In this regard, Burkina practitioners will be trained in professional weaving and dyeing techniques in Bamako while trainees from Mali will learn from the know-how in linking craft to social economy.

Contact persons:

Dr. Ludovic O. Kibora, Director, Institute of Social Studies, Ouagadougou

Dr. Jocelyne Vokouma, Principal Investigator, Ouagadougou

Local partners’ representatives:

Dr. Issa Tapsoba, Director, Polytechnic School of Ouagadougou (EPO)

Dr. Justin Toro Ouoro, Director, Training and Research Unit (UFR) / Language and Communication (LAC), University Ouagadougou 1– Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou