Thanks to my collaborators (none of whom are on Bluesky): Samuel Othieno, Wanjiru Jackline, Oscar Luchivya, Linda Geno, Nicholas Ouma, Peter Ogutu, Belinda Otieno, Said Mudhafar, Evans Ouma, Grace Mwende Mwaniki, Leila Isaak, Stacey Mbula, Justin Goko, Edu & Allan Mwangi

Listening showed how youth assess elected political institutions through practical encounters: working computers, access to training, bursaries, job pathways, and whether public programs actually help them earn. Their political trust or mistrust informed by their everyday economic realities.

Instead of relying on traditional multiple-choice surveys, we used peer-to-peer listening and informal conversations. This helped us reach young people who are rarely asked about politics and who experience government through everyday struggles, not speeches or campaigns.

I just returned from 2 months of dissertation fieldwork in Kenya. We surveyed 1,082 young people in 29 digital-skills hubs and focused on listening to youth who are rarely included in political research—especially those in TVET or unable to afford postsecondary education.

Earlier this month, I completed the first phase of my dissertation fieldwork in Kenya. I interacted with hundreds of young people, learned about their economic struggles and political aspirations through dozens of interviews. Looking forward to the next phase later this year.

More than halfway through the first phase of my fieldwork in Kenya. It has been an insightful experience. I have met many great people, learned so much, and seen so many new things.

Nearly a month into #Bluesky, and it still feels like a platform for the experts from #GlobalNorth, while those who hustle in developing regions stay on #X for political dialogue. This is a discomforting divide for me. #DigitalMigration once again leave people behind.

Visited the National Museum of Kenya’s exhibition on life cycles. The portrayal of children, youth, and adulthood as central themes was striking and deeply relatable to my research. I was glad to see the importance of this subject matter highlighted in such a significant museum.

This week, I started my dissertation fieldwork in Nairobi, the most exciting part of phd marathons. Thanks to Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations for hosting me, and to Phillip at the Jesuit Historical Institute for showing their impressive collections.

While migration to this new digital platform might hold the promise of doing things differently, what unfolds here is inevitably shaped by familiar group formation patterns that perpetuated persistent inequalities in knowledge production and distribution.

I’m especially grappling with starter packs and how they tend to create homogenous groups. What really stands out is how scholars and experts, particularly international peace and development communities, are carelessly reproducing the same old inequalities through the homogenous "packs" they form.

I’ve been observing the migration from Twitter to Bluesky, trying to make sense of what’s unfolding here for a week now. I find myself increasingly puzzled. Many of the issues people seemed eager to leave behind are being replicated in this new space, sometimes in even more striking ways.

Here I am, genuinely confused trying to grasp how we shifted from “break out of your bubble” to “build stronger bubbles”. My starter pack for navigating this perplexing reality is coming soon. Stay tuned! #BubbleTrouble #EchoChamberEvolution