Global Challenges: Research Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
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
This approach offers a cost and time-effective way to develop both core and specialist ideas.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Charles Banks (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
| Description | A number of research groups across numerous fields were identified for participation in these workshops and meetings. Almost universally, they identified a lack of knowledge and capability to characterise potential local crop and 'waste' feedstocks for anaerobic digestion and other bio-refinery processes. Mapping of 'waste' commercial and municipal feedstock arisings was practically non-existent or not well understood. UK knowledge transfer on technologies and research approaches which both have and have not worked would also appear to be highly valuable, as this is a broad field and such knowledge transfer, even that which occurred at the workshops, was found to be useful. ? Reducing reliance on conventional wastewater treatment systems coupled to improved water management and resource recovery ? Mapping of biomass resources, characteristics and availability as AD substrates to meet country specific energy mix requirements ? Maximising the potential for industry and agricultural residues for closed loop resource recovery through integration of technological approaches These themes provide a sufficiently broad framework under which research programmes could be formulated to further identify country specific problems in which IB could play a major role in assisting the development process through strategic research partnerships. From the workshops and meetings, it appeared that the UK had no or very few academic collaborations with the participants involved; indeed, where these had taken place, they were largely down to individual relationships which had been historically established. Participants highlighted interactions between Germany, the Netherlands, the US and other countries which had established strategic, long-term links with target countries, sometimes supported through Chambers of Commerce, Departments similar to UKTI or overseas development. The Network concept was suggested as potentially being a way to effect such long-term links, and to provide a focal point for various funding streams and access to a wide variety of UK academics and industry. There was no clear overall preference/priority for a research area; but 4 key research challenge areas were identified: ? Improving agricultural sustainability for food production by diversification to energy production or bio-refinery products |
| Exploitation Route | The report produced was used extensively by BBSRC in formulating its IBBE DW call for proposals. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | http://www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com |
| Description | GCRF Facebook post - Feb 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Post on University of Southampton Environmental Laboratories Facebook page on GCRF workshops in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Stellenbosch. Viewed by over 300 people from a wide range of countries, 15 Likes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/environmental.lab.university.of.southampton/posts/702465863247874 |
| Description | GCRF workshops - ADnet website 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Posting on ADnet website under Events section with dedicated listing reporting on the GCRF workshops led by Prof Charles Banks in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Stellenbosch. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com |
| Description | Workshop and meetings: Stellenbosch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop participants discussed the research challenge areas. They discussed elements of best practice and types of potential projects. Subsequent meetings identified particular regional challenges to do with training, the importance of collaboration with the former technical college and the impact of climate change in the region. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com/ |
| Description | Workshop: Johannesburg, S.A. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Workshop participants discussed and prioritised research challenge areas and self-identified their own skillsets and research interests. There was a good deal of information exchange, particularly on the 'art of the possible' and integration with or building upon existing initiatives with respect to this part of Africa and IB. The findings were reported upon to the BBSRC, along with Stellenbosch meetings and Nairobi workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com/gcrfjoburg-a |
| Description | Workshop: Nairobi, Kenya |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Workshop participants discussed and prioritised research challenge areas and self-identified their own skillsets and any knowledge/skills gaps. There was a good deal of information exchange, particularly on the 'art of the possible' with respect to this part of Africa and IB. This information was collated with that from Johannesburg and Stellenbosch and reported upon to the BBSRC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.anaerobicdigestionnet.com/gcrfnairobi |