What is everyday humanitarianism—and what can you expect from this podcast?

In this short trailer, our host Alex Maxelon introduces the EHTZ podcast, a series that explores how ordinary people in Tanzania respond to crises and support their communities in ways that go beyond traditional aid.

From elite giving and refugee support to feminist and religious perspectives, this podcast shares insights from the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey and funded by Danida.

Hit follow and join us for real stories, bold ideas, and new ways of thinking about humanitarian action.

What is everyday humanitarianism—and why do we study it in the Tanzanian context?

In this first episode, we introduce the concept at the heart of EHTZ. From defining what counts as a crisis to understanding who gives, we explore how everyday acts of help challenge dominant narratives about humanitarianism.

To discuss this, our host Alex Maxelon is joined by Prof. Lisa Ann Richey, Principal Investigator (PI) of the EHTZ project and Professor of Globalization at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). With an interdisciplinary background in political science, anthropology, and media studies, Lisa investigates the international politics of aid. She is the author of several books, including Batman Saves the Congo and Brand Aid: Shopping Well to Save the World.

For a deeper dive into the themes of this episode, we recommend:
📄 Richey, L. A. (2018). Conceptualizing “Everyday Humanitarianism”: Ethics, Affects, and Practices of Contemporary Global Helping. New Political Science, 40(4), 625–639.

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org.

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How do you turn a bold research idea into a large-scale international collaboration?

In this second episode, we go behind the scenes of the EHTZ project to learn how it all began—from early ideas and assembling the right team to building a North–South research partnership and securing international funding.

To discuss this, our host Alex Maxelon is joined by:

• Prof. Lisa Ann Richey, Principal Investigator of the EHTZ project and Professor of Globalization at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). With an interdisciplinary background in political science, anthropology, and media studies, her work explores the international politics of aid and North–South relations.
• Prof. Herbert Hambati, Associate Professor of Human Geography at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and South Coordinator of EHTZ. His research spans urbanization, disaster management, and local knowledge systems, with a focus on Tanzanian communities and planning processes.

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org.

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What does it really take to do humanitarian research on the ground?

In this third episode, we explore the challenges and rewards of conducting fieldwork in remote and crisis-affected areas across Tanzania. From securing access and navigating logistical hurdles to building trust with local communities, we take a behind-the-scenes look at what makes fieldwork both demanding and deeply meaningful.

To discuss this, our host Alex Maxelon is joined by:

• Dr. Esther Mlingwa, Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Researcher at EHTZ. Her research within EHTZ focuses on legal and institutional frameworks related to everyday humanitarianism.
• Dr. Lucas Kitula, Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Researcher at EHTZ, whose work explores the role of religious ties in shaping everyday humanitarian practices across Tanzanian communities.

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org.

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

How can research be decolonized—and what does that mean in practice?

In this fourth episode, we explore the structural inequalities embedded in international research collaborations and examine what it takes to build equitable partnerships between Global North and Global South institutions. From power imbalances in knowledge production to strategies for centering Southern perspectives, we reflect on how humanitarian research can move toward more ethical and inclusive practices.

To discuss this, our host Janette Kotivirta is joined by Dr. Consolata Raphael Sulley, Senior Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Senior Researcher at EHTZ. Her work focuses on democracy, gender, and electoral politics in Africa and the Middle East. She brings extensive experience from both academic research and policy engagement across Tanzania and beyond.

For a deeper dive into the themes of this episode, we recommend:

📄 Sulley, C. R., & Richey, L. A. (2023). The messy practice of decolonising a concept: Everyday humanitarianism in Tanzania. Review of International Studies, 49(3), 390–403.

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org.

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

How does humanitarianism reproduce or resist the legacies of colonialism?

In this fifth episode, we take a closer look at what it means to decolonize humanitarianism—not just in theory, but through the lived realities of people navigating aid and governance in spaces shaped by inequality and control. We explore how these dynamics play out in Palestine and reflect on what comparisons with Tanzania reveal about legitimacy, power, and everyday practices of care.

To discuss this, our host Alex Maxelon is joined by Prof. Somdeep Sen, Associate Professor in International Development Studies at Roskilde University (RUC) and author of Decolonizing Palestine: Hamas between the Anticolonial and the Postcolonial. His work explores race, liberation movements, settler colonialism, and spatial politics, and his writing has appeared in both academic and global media outlets.

For a deeper dive into the themes of this episode, we recommend:

📖 Sen, S. (2020). Decolonizing Palestine: Hamas between the Anticolonial and the Postcolonial. Cornell University Press.

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org.

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Who helps when disasters strike—and what are their main challenges?

In this sixth episode, we explore how Tanzanian communities respond to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes. While formal systems are often slow to act, ordinary people step in with immediate support. We examine how everyday giving operates alongside—and sometimes in spite of—formal institutions, and what this means for disaster preparedness, equity, and recognition.

To discuss this, our host Alex Maxelon is joined by:

• Dr. Line Engbo Gissel, Associate Professor at Roskilde University (RUC), whose research explores the politics of international law, transnational justice, and how legal institutions interact with African governance systems.
• Dr. Esther Mlingwa, Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Researcher at EHTZ. Her research within EHTZ focuses on legal and institutional frameworks related to everyday humanitarianism.

For a deeper dive into the themes of this episode, we recommend:

📄 Mlingwa, E. (2024). The Legal and Institutional Challenges Facing Community-Based Disaster Management in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Population Studies and Development, 31(1).

📁 Gissel, L. E., Hambati, H., Majamba, H., & Mlingwa, E. (2024). Everyday Humanitarianism in Disaster Response [Policy Brief]. EHTZ Website.

This podcast is part of the Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania (EHTZ) research project—a collaboration between universities in Denmark and Tanzania. Funded by Danida and led by Professor Lisa Ann Richey, the project explores how ordinary people engage in humanitarian action. Learn more at everydayhumanitarianismintanzania.org.

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!