The neglect of higher education in conflict settings: analysis of a decade of foreign aid flows

Higher education is a frequent casualty of violent conflict. Rebuilding the sector is key for its ability to provide quality education, conduct research and contribute to societal recovery and development. While the existing literature points to the neglect of higher education in conflict-affected countries, there is limited research that critically unpacks aid flows to higher education in these settings. Using the aid flows data from bilateral and multilateral donors who report to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, this research explores the trends in aid flows to higher education in conflict settings from 2013 to 2022. The findings show that higher education is neglected through donors’ prioritisation of international scholarship aid while sidelining local systems and institutions. Donors are also selective regarding the recipients of aid, with a few countries strategically important to the donors receiving most of the aid, while other countries are left behind. The neglect of higher education negatively affects the sector's ability to function and contribute to socio-economic recovery, development and peacebuilding in the aftermath of violent conflict. The paper calls for more critical research, advocacy, activism and engagement to challenge and reverse the neglect of higher education in conflict settings.