Research Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Biology and Biochemistry
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Potential biotechnology interventions will be considered within themes of clean energy, sustainable agriculture for the provision of suitable non-food feedstocks, and health (non-medical) requiring cross network support. Factors such as climatic conditions and differences between rural and urban needs within regions will also be considered. Topics of regional priority, relevant institutions and actors in these regions will be identified and contacted via remote interview and/or survey. The findings will be assimilated and presented in a report along with relevant network links for developing future collaborations.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Jonathan Leak (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | We identified some key priority areas that industrial biotechnology could be applied to in addressing a number of challenges facing sub-saharan African countries, in particular Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa and support economic, social and environmental development within these countries |
| Exploitation Route | The research council BBSRC are looking to take the information delivered in this project to help shape a Global Challenges Research Fund call, specific to industrial biotechnology which should be launched later in 2018. |
| Sectors | Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | http://www.nibbp2p.org/p2p-international/ |
| Description | Used by RCUK as part of the evidence base for a GCRF call linked to Industrial Biotechnology |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Guto Bebb MP visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding the importance of EU funding and the implications of Brexit on our research in the area of Industrial Biotechnology. Discussions also in the area of existing and future 'non-EU' funded research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Reed Panel visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Discussions with the Reed panel on the positioning of the university with regard to international collaborations in the area of Industrial Biotechnology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Stakeholder meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Meeting in London to disseminate the findings of the report and discuss the implications for intended GCRF funding in the IB area, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Key attendees included: John Wade-Smith, Regional Head of Science and Innovation, British High Commission, Pretoria; Steve Bowra, on behalf of Clifford Spencer, CEO Global Biotechnology Transfer Foundation; Roderick Westrop, Strategy and Policy Manager, Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy, BBSRC. This should ultimately inform GCRF funding strategy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |