PhD (Spring)

Dr. Oko Enworo

"In this thesis, Beyond Periphery: Dynamics of Indigenous Social Protection Systems in Dealing with Covariate Shocks in Southeastern Nigeria, the candidate explored the patterns and functions of indigenous social protection systems in Nigeria, and their potential to mitigate the risk and impact of covariate shocks, using flooding as an example. Using qualitative evidence and the social risk management framework, the candidate illustrates how these systems effectively manage idiosyncratic threats and mitigate the risk and adverse effects of covariate shocks through material and psychosocial attributes. The results justify plausible models for linking formal and indigenous systems for broader social protection coverage and human development in resource-constrained contexts. The candidate provides policy and practice recommendations for achieving these."

PhD (Autumn)

Dr. Thato Setambule

In her thesis titled “Enhancing active labour market programmes for improved youth livelihoods: A study of unemployed graduate youth in Botswana”, the candidate explored the livelihood challenges of unemployed graduate youth in Botswana. In doing this, the thesis assessed the effectiveness of the country’s youth-oriented active labour market programmes. Drawing on the Sustainable Livelihood Framework and using a qualitative research design, the thesis showed that the apparent ineffectiveness of youth-oriented active labour market programmes in addressing graduate youth unemployment in the country can be linked to the programmes’ focus on assets that young people do not possess, namely financial, physical and natural capital. Based on the study’s overall findings, the candidate makes several recommendations for policy, practice, and research to enhance young graduates’ employability and livelihoods.