ISS: Institute for Security Studies — Why It Matters for Africa
You probably see ISS cited in African news, but what is it and why should you care? ISS stands for the Institute for Security Studies. It is a research organisation that focuses on security, crime, governance and human rights across Africa. Journalists, policymakers, aid groups and researchers use ISS work because it is practical, timely and often grounded in local data.
What ISS does
The ISS publishes policy briefs, research reports, situation updates, maps and short commentaries. Its research covers conflict zones, organised crime, migration, policing, elections and community security. The organisation also runs training, events and data portals that help people check numbers and trends quickly. You will find both long technical reports and short briefings that fit into a newsroom cycle.
How to use ISS reports
If you need to use an ISS report, start with the executive summary and the key findings. Check the methodology section to know how data was collected and how current the info is. Use direct quotes for facts and attribute them clearly: name the report, the author and the date. Look for downloadable datasets, maps or charts on the report page—those make great visuals for stories or presentations. If a point matters to a local audience, contact the author or the nearest ISS office; authors often respond to clear questions and can point you to raw data.
Sign up for the ISS newsletter and follow their social profiles for quick updates and live event notices. Use the site search to find briefs by country or topic. Set up an RSS feed or email alerts for keywords like "Sahel", "crime", or "elections" so you don’t miss new releases. When reporting, cross-check ISS figures with official statistics and local sources to avoid one-source reliance.
- Read the executive summary first.
- Note the publication date and data range.
- Verify methods and sample size.
- Download charts and cite them correctly.
- Reach out to the author for clarification.
ISS work helps turn complex security trends into clear, usable information. For readers, that means better context on stories about conflict, policing or migration. For decision makers, ISS can highlight risks and practical policy steps. For reporters, it offers both background and quotable facts.
Try these extra steps: subscribe to ISS podcasts and webinars, download their country profiles for quick stats, use their interactive maps when available, and bookmark the data portal. When quoting, add page numbers and preferred citation style like APA or MLA. If you are a student or NGO, ask for permission to reuse charts — ISS often allows non-commercial use with credit. Translate summaries into local languages for community groups and share key points on social media with links back to the original report. Bookmark this tag and check back daily for new ISS content, data, expert comment and analysis.
Stay curious and keep ISS on your radar if you cover African security — it's a practical source for background, quotes and datasets.
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