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Intergenerational Transmission of Identity in sub-Saharan Africa

Project description

Intergenerational ethnic identity transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa

High ethnic diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is often considered a barrier to development. Recent empirical work suggests that multi-ethnicity is common in SSA and that national identities may be more important than ethnic identities. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the TransmId project studies intergenerational transmission of identity in SSA. It provides a nuanced understanding of ethnicity by examining traits such as language use and religion that are passed down from generation to generation. The project combines theoretical economic literature with perspectives from political science and sociology. It focuses on intermarriage drivers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, designs a lab experiment in Kenya to explore parents’ preferences for children’s identity, and investigates the role of institutional contexts in shaping intergenerational transmission decisions.

Objective

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), high levels of ethnic diversity have often been considered in quantitative research as constraining social and economic development. Yet most of the research on ethnicity and development has given little thought to the complexity of ethnic identities, treating ethnic identity as a static affiliation to a single group. As such, it is not easy to reconcile findings from this literature with more recent empirical work that stress that multi-ethnicity is not a rare phenomenon in SSA and that ethnic identity identities may be less salient than national identities. In response, the TransmId project (Intergenerational Transmission of Identity in sub-Saharan Africa) proposes a novel understanding of ethnicity by focusing on the intergenerational transmission (IGT) of identity in SSA. By studying which identity traits (e.g. language use, religious practice) are passed down generations, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of ethnicity while considering it both as socially salient and dynamic. The project combines insights from the theoretical economic literature on parental investment in IGT with perspectives from political science and sociology on institutional factors and socialisation mechanisms. TransmId relies on economic modelling, statistical analyses, and first-hand data. The projects workflow follows the sequence of intergenerational transmission over generations, from marriage decisions to investments in childrens identities. First, I will focus on understanding the drivers of intermarriages using data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Second, I will design a lab experiment in Kenya to assess parents preferences regarding their childrens identity (e.g. multi-ethnicity, ethnic and national identities). Third, building on case studies and on a cross-country longitudinal analysis, TransmId will provide a comparative perspective on the role of institutional contexts in shaping IGT decisions.

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DE NAMUR
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 191 760,00
Address
RUE DE BRUXELLES 61
5000 NAMUR
Belgium

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Region
Région wallonne Prov. Namur Arr. Namur
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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