Samuel Hall Stories

In this episode, join host Mwara Namelok and Samuel Hall co-founder Herve Nicolle as they step into the findings of the EU funded project PACES, a research project examining how migration and migration policy decisions are shaped amidst broader societal change. This conversation draws specifically on PACES Policy Brief No. 3, titled "From Deterrence to Credible Choice: Rethinking Migration Policy...

🌍 From displacement to decision-making. In this episode of the Samuel Hall Stories Podcast, we hear from Dr. Wilson Sanya, Mayor of Koboko, Uganda — a city where refugees don’t just live, but lead. We discuss: ✔️ How Koboko redefined refugee inclusion as governance, not just aid ✔️ The pioneering “Koboko Model” of direct donor funding to municipalities ✔️ How refugees and host communities co-crea...

🎙️ Between the Lines | Ep. 8 From Aid to Agency: Rethinking the Donor Landscape for Refugees Once shaped by emergency relief, refugee support systems are now shifting toward long-term development, sustainability, and localisation. In this episode, host Mwara Namelok is joined by Lilian Obiye, policy expert at the Netherlands Embassy, to explore how global events, funding priorities, and political...

This World Refugee Day, we celebrate a superpower often overlooked in humanitarian systems: community. In this episode of Between the Lines, host Mwara Namelok is joined by George Dralagar (Youth Voices Community) and Adior Ibrahim (COHERE), two refugee leaders building tangible, community-led solutions in Kenya. Together, they discuss: Why capacity strengthening must replace outdated ideas of cap...

In this episode, we head to Kakuma, Kenya, to explore the politics of localised research in the face of shrinking humanitarian funding.  Our Storytelling Officer Devyani Nighoskar speaks with Franco Ohisa, a researcher and community leader, on what it really means to lead  and be heard  from within. We discuss: 🔹 How funding cuts impact trust in research 🔹 The risks of extractive studies and bro...

 In many parts of the world, women are forced to carry the weight of climate adaptation when men migrate in search of better livelihoods. This episode is part of our Lines of Inquiry series – a behind-the-scenes look at how Samuel Hall approaches research on migration and displacement. 🎙️ In this episode, host Mwara Namelok speaks with Wendy Indira, an Area Coordinator at Samuel Hall, about the in...

📊 What we measure shapes what we manage.  But do our metrics truly reflect the realities we aim to change?  In this episode of the Samuel Hall Stories Podcast, host, Devyani Nighoskar goes Behind the Metrics with Marta Trigo Da Roza, senior Researcher at Samuel Hall to unpack how the metrics we choose shape the policies, programmes, and lived experiences of people in contexts of migration and dis...

In this special episode, we’re joined by Nhial Deng, a South Sudanese refugee and advocate, as he redefines localisation in the humanitarian sector.  Nhial’s journey—from Kakuma refugee camp to winning the Global Student Prize—offers valuable insights on empowerment, local leadership, and meaningful refugee inclusion. Through Nhial’s story, we explore how humanitarian practices can evolve to genui...

In Kenya, where over half a million refugees seek safety and opportunity, digital skills are emerging as a crucial pathway to self-sufficiency. But are these tech-driven solutions addressing deeper structural challenges—or just a quick fix?   In the latest episode of Samuel Hall Stories, host Mwara Namelok and Aol Jared, our Research Operations Manager, dive into years of Samuel Hall’s research on...

In this third episode, we understand the role of faith actors within the Humanitarian sector. Drawing from our research across Kenya, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine, and Mozambique, with Islamic Relief Worldwide, this collaborative episode explores a vital question: How can faith actors effectively support local humanitarian and development efforts and strengthen localisation efforts?...

In this second episode, we are unpacking the term ‘resilience’’  What is the meaning of resilience and why is it such a popular word within the humanitarian space? Does resilience as an umbrella term absolve organisations of accountability? Does it put the burden of recovery on individuals rather than focus on systemic issues ? Or is it simply a term to celebrate those who have overcome extraordin...

In our inaugural episode, we're diving into ‘Decolonising Migration and Displacement Research’ – a transformative approach that challenges deep-rooted biases and narratives.  Join us as we unravel the layers of this movement, exploring its impact on policy, public perception, and the lives of those on the move. Hosted by our Storytelling & Communications officer; Devyani Nighoshkar and our res...