Dr. Adam Kiš, Research Director and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Burman University, recently spoke at the Oxford Society for International Development (OxSID) Expert Series lectures. His presentation focused on his book, The Development Trap: How Thinking Big Fails the Poor.
While the presentation primarily centred on The Development Trap, Dr. Kiš seized the opportunity to briefly introduce his upcoming research project, SAFE-T Kenya (Supporting Adolescent Girls For Ending Child Forced Marriage in Turkana, Kenya). Funded by a $1.2 million grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), this project seeks to combat child marriage in one of Kenya’s most challenging regions. Collaborating with partners, including Moi University, ADRA Kenya, NASCOP, Burman University, and ADRA Canada, the study will test community-based strategies to change attitudes and practices surrounding early marriage.
“This was a unique chance to discuss the long-term implications of development approaches while introducing new, targeted research that aims to make a tangible difference,” Dr. Kiš noted.
By merging insights from his book with his research, Dr. Kiš exemplified the power of blending academic critique with actionable solutions. His contributions highlight Burman University’s influence in international development and underscore the importance of bridging theory and practice in addressing global challenges.