Overview
Somalia Researchers’ Night is an annual flagship event organized by the Somali Researchers Association (SRA) and held on the last Friday of December each year. The event serves as a national platform to recognize Somali researchers who have published academic articles during the calendar year and to promote research-to-policy dialogue across key development sectors.
The 2025 edition of Somalia Researchers’ Night was held on 26 December 2025, bringing together 80 Somali researchers who published peer-reviewed academic articles in 2025. The event also hosted representatives from academia, development partners, and institutions engaged in research and policy work.
Pre-Event Research Promotion
As part of SRA’s commitment to research visibility and academic recognition, a two-month pre-event digital campaign was conducted prior to the event.
- Each participating researcher received a custom-designed research banner featuring:
- Author / Co-author name(s)
- Research title
- DOI link
- Researcher photograph
- These banners were published across SRA’s official social media platforms
- The campaign ran continuously from two months before the event until the event date, ensuring sustained visibility for Somali research outputs
Event Objectives
The 2025 Somalia Researchers’ Night aimed to:
- Recognize Somali researchers who published academic articles in 2025
- Promote academic excellence and ethical research standards
- Encourage research-based reflection on national development challenges
- Facilitate cross-sector dialogue through thematic roundtable discussions
- Strengthen the national research community and collaboration networks
Event Structure & Agenda
The event followed a structured evening program including registration, keynote remarks, thematic discussions, and recognition ceremonies.
Key Agenda Highlights included:
- Opening and Qur’an recitation
- Opening remarks by the SRA Managing Director
- Guided roundtable discussions
- Table presentations
- Guest speakers and sponsors’ remarks
- Certificate distribution
- Group photo session and dinner
Opening Remarks
The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Shafie Sharif, Managing Director of the Somali Researchers Association.
In his address, Dr. Shafie outlined the evolution and vision of SRA, highlighting:
- SRA’s origins in supporting university students with thesis writing and research methodology training
- The establishment of platforms for showcasing published theses and open-access journals
- Advocacy for academic freedom and ethical research practices
- Development of researcher and enumerator pools
- Promotion of Somali research through digital platforms such as Cilmi iyo Cod
- Expansion toward think-tank functions, policy research, and regional academic collaboration
He also emphasized the growing relevance of Somali-led research in addressing issues such as education, health, governance, economic development, digital finance, public service delivery, and social transformation
Roundtable Discussions
Participants were divided into thematic roundtable groups to facilitate focused discussion and peer exchange.
Roundtable Themes & Tables
| Theme | Tables |
|---|---|
| Education & Human Capital | Tables 1–2 |
| Health & Wellbeing | Tables 3–4 |
| Agriculture & Climate | Tables 5–6 |
| Governance & Social Development | Tables 7–8 |
| Economy & Innovation | Tables 9–10 |
Guiding Discussion Framework
Each table was guided by structured questions encouraging participants to:
- Reflect on 1–2 key findings from their 2025 research
- Highlight 1–2 policy or practical recommendations
- Provide evidence-based projections for Somalia in 2026
Each table selected a speaker to present summary insights during the plenary session.
Table Presentations & Plenary Session
Following the discussions, each roundtable presented key insights and cross-cutting themes. Presentations highlighted:
- Common challenges and opportunities across sectors
- The importance of evidence-based policymaking
- The need for stronger data systems, academic freedom, and research funding
- Emerging research priorities for Somalia in 2026
Guest Speakers
The event featured guest speakers and sponsors, who shared reflections on:
- The role of research in national development
- Opportunities for collaboration with Somali researchers
- The importance of supporting local knowledge production
Recognition & Certificate Awarding
A formal Certificate of Appreciation ceremony was conducted to recognize all researchers who published academic articles in 2025. Certificates were awarded by the organizing committee, acknowledging each researcher’s contribution to advancing knowledge and research culture in Somalia.