NISER Strengthens Academic Collaboration as UI Faculty Seminar Explores “Quantum Redirections and ‘The Field’”

The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Professor Antonia T. Simbine, on Wednesday August 20th, joined scholars and researchers at the University of Ibadan for a faculty seminar focused on advancing new perspectives in global social science research.

The seminar, organised by the Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, was titled “Quantum Redirections and ‘The Field’ in Global Social Sciences” and held at the Large Lecture Theatre, University of Ibadan.

The event, which commenced at 10:00 a.m., provided a platform for academics and researchers to exchange ideas on the changing nature of social science research and knowledge production in the 21st century.

The seminar was moderated by Dr. Olaniran, while dignitaries at the high table included the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Olajide O. Akanji; NISER Director-General, Professor Anthonia T. Simbine; Professor Oka Martin Obono; Professor Femi Olaniyan of the Department of Geography; and Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba.

In his welcome address, Professor Olajide O. Akanji welcomed participants and expressed hope that they would have a “quantum experience.” Professor Olapegba, in his goodwill message, appreciated the Dean for sustaining the culture of faculty seminars as platforms for the exchange of ideas and critical thinking.

In her goodwill message, NISER Director-General, Professor Antonia T. Simbine, acknowledged the seminar lecturer and other academics for putting the intellectual engagement together. She noted that her attendance was particularly important because a significant number of NISER staff are drawn from the social sciences, adding that the Institute also has much to learn from conversations around new directions in the field.

Professor Simbine commended Professor Obono for his contributions to training, mentorship and capacity building among young researchers and NISER staff. She expressed delight at attending the seminar with members of her NISER team, stressing that they were there not only to support the engagement but also to learn alongside others.

Before the keynote presentation, Dr. Olaniran read a citation highlighting the academic profile and contributions of Professor Oka Martin Obono, Professor of Sociology and Population Studies at the University of Ibadan. Professor Obono has served as Chair of the Demography and Population Studies Unit, Director of the Centre for Human Resource Development and Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Prof Obono Calls for a Rethinking of “The Field”

Professor Obono, while delivering the paper, described the occasion as an important moment for the Faculty of the Social Sciences and explained that his presentation would examine quantum redirection, what it means and what it is not.

He argued that the traditional concept of “the field” as a fixed, territorialised research space is changing. He described quantum redirection as a conceptual shift towards understanding the field as dynamic, relational, probabilistic and observer-dependent, while stressing that it should not be seen as a direct application of quantum physics to the social sciences.

He identified Quantum Redirection, The Field and Social Sciences as three major areas of focus and discussed concepts including entanglement, uncertainty, superposition, observer effect and complementarity.

Professor Obono also called for a redirection of African scholarship, urging scholars to move beyond continually studying Africa as a research specimen and to also study European and Asian societies.

Scholars Call for a Broader Research Perspective

The discussion that followed reinforced the need for social science research to respond to the realities of the 21st century. The discussants stressed that research should be viewed as dynamic rather than static, with scholars embracing a stronger sense of responsibility towards the societies they study.

The discussion also connected the presentation to the changing understanding of space—from being viewed as absolute to being understood as relational. Participants called for a redirection towards building new research capacity, empowering scholars to communicate and sell their ideas globally, responding to societal needs and reducing excessive dependence on imported policies.

The contributors further described the redirection as a movement from isolation to relationship, stressing that scholars must be involved, informed and willing to explore research beyond familiar territories.

The need to study other countries was also emphasised, alongside the importance of publicising research findings so that the world can better appreciate the peculiarities of different societies.

A key concern raised during the discussion was that research should not merely turn African societies into a “specimen of study.” Rather, research about African societies should be redirected towards understanding how findings affect the people, developing solutions and domesticating responses to peculiar local problems.

Students also participated through questions, which were addressed by the speaker.

In her closing remarks, the Director-General of NISER, Professor Anthonia T. Simbine, thanked the professors, discussants and participants, noting that the purpose of the gathering had been achieved.

The seminar ended with a group photograph, bringing together the participating scholars, academics and other attendees.

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