We are pleased to announce that Carleton University is a recipient of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (QES).
With approximately $260,000 in funding over the next four years, the scholarship will fund the Adapting for Resilience project, which aims to build climate resilience through interdisciplinary research and meaningful partnerships in Africa.
Climate change impacts every aspect of the global environment, posing profound socio-cultural and existential threats. In response, Professor Onita Basu from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is leading this transformative project to develop solutions and drive action.
Joining her as co-principal investigators are:
- Assistant Professor Troy Anderson, Sprott School of Business
- Associate Professor Dipto Sarkar, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
- Associate Professor David McMullin, Department of Chemistry
Since 2012, the QES program has driven positive change worldwide, creating a network of over 2,600 scholars. By facilitating academic, professional and cross-cultural experiences in more than 150 countries, it continues to nurture the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders.
Carleton is one of 22 Canadian post-secondary institutions receiving support for projects focused on adaptation, response and resilience to our changing climate. This marks Carleton’s third consecutive Queen Elizabeth scholarship.
“I am excited to lead another QES project at Carleton, building on established relationships, as well as creating new ones, to share knowledge and address the many facets of climate change through a resilience lens.”
– Professor Onita Basu
In this latest round, Carleton has partnered with universities in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana, as well as a variety of NGOs and community-based organizations, to tackle issues related to biodiversity, conservation, public health, water quality, information and communication technologies, education and agriculture.
Together, we aim to cultivate a collaborative, interdisciplinary problem-solving approach to climate resilience that strengthens institutional relations, develops a network of scholars and practitioners, and promotes international cooperation.
Additionally, the project will support cross-cultural exchanges, enabling students and local communities to engage in meaningful dialogue and knowledge-sharing. This will provide students with hands-on experience while ensuring solutions are sustainable, aligned with community priorities and rooted in local ownership.
The project is expected to support the research and overseas travel of 22 students throughout its duration.
Other planned activities include training and workshops, professional development in pedagogy and communications, and location-specific research projects.
The QES program is led by the Rideau Hall Foundation, an independent and non-partisan national charity, in collaboration with Community Foundations of Canada and Universities Canada.