Carleton University is launching a $1.8-million program to train tomorrow’s climate change research leaders in partnership with three African universities and the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Advanced Scholars Program.
Societal Transformation and Climate Change: Training the Next Generation of Scholars in sub-Sahara Africa and Canada, which includes nearly $500,000 in funding from the scholars program announced today, involves universities in Tanzania, Malawi and Ghana and will take place from 2017 to the end of 2020.
The project will focus on the next generation of doctoral and early-career researchers of the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program to tackle the multi-faceted problem of climate change, including its global and regional implications. The scholars will focus on issues related to the transition to less carbon-intensive economies and improving community resilience to climate change impacts.
The program will support up to 44 scholarships and provide opportunities for researchers of all countries to broaden their inter-disciplinary experience.
“The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Advanced Scholars Program recognizes Carleton’s innovation and research excellence in climate change, as well as our ongoing commitment to community partnerships,” said Rafik Goubran, acting vice-president (Research and International) at Carleton University.
“Carleton looks forward to hosting incoming international scholars from our partner institutions and providing an enriching experience for our participants. This program will increase scholarly knowledge and community expertise on one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
This project provides support for exchanges of advanced scholars at Carleton University, Nelson Mandela Africa Institute of Science and Technology, Tanzania; Mzuzu University, Malawi; and the University of Ghana or the Pan African Doctoral Academy at the University of Ghana. It is open to PhD students at one of these institutions or early career researchers employed by one of the African institutions within the period 2017-2020.
Over the course of three to four months, scholars from Carleton and the partner universities will participate in an exchange and conduct advanced research with local faculty, participate in inter-disciplinary and professional development workshops, network with key stakeholders and undertake a work experience placement.
Michael Brklacich, Chancellor’s Professor in the Department Geography and Environmental Studies and associate dean of research in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, is the Carleton research lead on the program.
Supporting co-investigators are Onita Basu, associate professor of Environmental Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Design and associate chair of Graduate Studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Paul Mkandawire, associate professor of Human Rights at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies; and Pius Adesanmi, director of the Institute of African Studies and professor of English.
http://newsroom.carleton.ca/2017/03/27/carleton-university-launches-program-climate-change-scholars/