To round out 2020, I want to tweet out my thanks to some of the wonderful & smart people with whom I have worked with, & learned so much from, this year (albeit online for the most part)

A thread inspired, in part, by reading ‘Bee Time’ by Mark Winston #SaveTheBees #BemoreBee

To @saitmatty who I did get to meet in person (!) back in February in Banjul, thank you for introducing me to Dahin! But also for teaching me some much about politics in The Gambia, about what post-Jammeh justice and accountability means and why it matters.

And for introducing me to so many other Gambians (like @salieutaal @hbalagaye & many others) who furthered that understanding and who were generous with their time and insights

On that same trip I managed a few days in Salone (thanks to @MagDwyer for inviting and @FourahBay for hosting!). As ever my knowledge of politics in the country is made better by talking to @pemgabi1 @fmarcoconteh @tonkolili @andrewlavali @micm80 and especially @jm72macarthy!

To @HassanIdayat, who even travelled with me to do ‘proper fieldwork’ this year - I am indebted to you for educating me about Nigeria, West Africa & for pushing ahead with research on mis/disinformation. Please when you see us writing together, know that I am the junior partner.

Editing @CDDWestAfrica-s ‘West Africa Insight’ is always an education. To all those who contributed to this years editions, thank you

@EromoEgbejule @Eloise_Btd @YabiGilles Ernest Amrah @murtalaibin @saratu Oghenetega Ogodo @hindououmar Wendyam Hervé Lankoandé @JessMoody89 1/2

@halimahima George Bob-Milliar @BintuMansaray9 Ramatoulaye Sonko @Juliette_Ugwu @Ebehi_Iyoha Alhassan Ibrahim @kadza @chitranagarajan @RMAjayi @AfroKwabena 2/2

How much does politics cost and why does that matter? Now I have some answers for Uganda, The Gambia, Mauritius and Kenya thanks to @TomMboya @karutikk Ramola Ramtohul @PPIUganda Roukaya Kasenally @EKitamirike @saitmatt (again) and @BN7WFD

And the work is ongoing in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, which really is a major black hole in my knowledge/linguistic ability. So I am thankful to have @malaraotaola steering the ship & experts like @GinaKawas, María Alejandra Erazo and Rotsay Rosales on board

To those individuals/orgs - @LouiseShaxson @Info_Activism @vbashyakarla - who invited me to participate in workshops and roundtables. I hope I offered something in return, for what I got out of them - which is a lot.

And to those who edit my thoughts and ramblings into cohesive analysis (and I know it can be an ordeal, as I am sometimes on the other side of it). Thank you. @SpeedTrials @simonallison @jamesjwan for improving what I have to say.

The same sentiments apply to co-authors: It has been a real pleasure working with @suemuhereza over the last few months. I am excited to share what we have been up to in Uganda soon and for the next phase of our research adventure.

Thanks to @KasUganda for giving us the space & to Cliff, Ednah, Peter & Patience for the support.

I am also indebted to @suemuhereza for teaching me many things about M&E this year as we worked together to better understand, and highlight, the incredibly important work done by @pla_ug @gracemukwaya to support domestic workers in Uganda. Hearing directly from them was powerful

I also have to thank @Natabaalo @Eloise_Btd @lulujemimah for putting up with my propensity to share ‘unserious’ information (GIFs memes and cartoons) under the guise of researching social media & elections in Uganda. And the team they have assembled to help them with interviews

And then there are all those I interact with on here, or learn from, by reading what they have to say in places like @thecontinent_ @republicjournal or by going through This Week in Africa ( https://thisweekinafrica.tumblr.com/About ).

If I had to pick one piece that was my stand out read of 2020. This ( https://www.thedriftmag.com/the-dj-and-the-miracle-cure/) by @nellienooks probably is it. Fascinating and bonkers all at once.

It’s easier than ever to connect online, but easier than ever not to really listen. This year I learnt from you all (& many others) by really listening. Like bees who “listen to each other deeply, all channels on”.

The End

PS. All gifts of local honey gratefully received