Epistemic Sovereignty and Methodological Pluralism: A Mixed Methods Investigation of African Studies Research in Burundi

The production of African Studies knowledge within the continent is a critical yet under-examined aspect of epistemic sovereignty. In Burundi, this field operates within a complex landscape shaped by historical, linguistic, and resource-based constraints, raising questions about methodological practices and scholarly autonomy. This study investigates the methodological approaches, challenges, and prospects for African Studies research conducted locally in Burundi. It aims to critically analyse the relationship between epistemic sovereignty and the methodological pluralism employed by researchers in this context. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed. An initial quantitative survey (n=87) of academics and postgraduate researchers was conducted, followed by in-depth qualitative interviews (n=18) with a purposively selected sub-sample to explore salient themes in greater depth. Quantitative analysis revealed that 68% of respondents reported a dominant reliance on qualitative methods, citing limited access to statistical software and training as key barriers. Thematic analysis of interview data identified a salient tension between the desire for methodological innovation and the material constraints of local research infrastructures. The pursuit of epistemic sovereignty in Burundian African Studies is intrinsically linked to, and often constrained by, the practical realities of methodological application. While a strong ethos of methodological pluralism exists, its full realisation is hampered by systemic resource limitations. Strengthen local research capacity through targeted training in mixed methods and data analysis. Foster North-South and South-South partnerships that prioritise equitable resource sharing. Develop institutional repositories to enhance access to methodological tools and literature. epistemic sovereignty, methodological pluralism, African Studies, research capacity, Burundi, mixed methods This paper provides the first empirical analysis of methodological practices within African Studies in Burundi, introducing the concept of 'constrained pluralism' to describe the gap between methodological aspiration and practical application in low-resource research environments.