Hilary HomansDeveloping linkages between the Rowett Institute and CSID

10th May 2010

Overview

1. Background to Centre for Sustainable International Development (CSID)

2. How CSID can:– Promote trans-disciplinary work– Support community responsive approaches– Build capacity– Strengthen partnerships and networks– Leverage funds

Why the Centre was established

The University of Aberdeen • is committed to internationalisation & the twin principles of

sustainability and social responsibility (Strategic Plan 2009 to 2010)

• needs to demonstrate societal impact at an individual, institutional, national and global level through the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

• has recognised the need:– to coordinate work on sustainable international development

across the University– for an inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach - future

long term reseach needs to work across disciplines & sectors to maximise impact

Vision

The Centre’s vision is to make a significant contribution to the sustainable achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other international development targets.

Research priorities - international

UK Department for International Development

Calls for a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to the development of greater quality of life for humans with a specific focus on alleviating poverty and improving living conditions in developing countries

Uganda, Robin Waugh

Research priorities - national

Research Councils UK priorities

• ageing and life long health and well-being• digital economy• energy • global uncertainties and security for all in a changing

world• living with environmental change• nanotechnology

• Connected communities

Guiding principles (1)

1. Commitment to equity and social inclusion and the promotion of equality of access to sustainable development for all citizens (including persons with temporary residence) with special attention to socially excluded persons (including national minorities, persons with disabilities, migrants, displaced persons and refugees).

2. Enhancement of human dignity and protection of the human rights of all persons.

Street children, Bishkek, Homans

Guiding principles (2)

3. Interdisciplinary evidence-informed, needs based and results-oriented research, monitoring and evaluation contributing to policy and sustainable development.

4. Multi-sectoral age, gender and diversity-sensitive innovative approaches, involving partners at all levels within public, private and non-profit sectors.

5. Consistent with the UK DFID international development stratey, the RCUK research priorities and other relevant strategies and internationally adopted commitments.

Role of the Centre for Sustainable International Development

• Promote trans-disciplinary work

• Support community responsive approaches

• Build capacity• Strengthen partnerships &

networks• Leverage funding

Robin Waugh, Uganda

Interdisciplinarity

• Global change issues do not fit neatly into disciplinary boxes. They are multidisciplinary in their very essence.

• A trans-disciplinary approach goes further by involving a range of stakeholders in the research, including non-academics, who play a role in setting research agendas and questions.

The Influence of Philosophical Perspectives in Integrative Research: a Conservation Case Study in the Cairngorms National Park Anna C. Evely, Ioan Fazey, Michelle Pinard and Xavier Lambin

Interdisciplinarity

• Thematic cross college workshops – next one 3rd June on Poverty in Africa: Admos Chimhowu (Manchester)

• Cafe Internationale 3rd June• 6th Century course – 24 academics across

the university

Robin Waugh, Uganda

Interdisciplinary teaching

Community responsive

• Science and innovation for development e.g. ESPA, getting research into policy & practice (GRIPP)

• People identifying their needs and researchers responding in terms of science, innovation, policy

© Giacomo Pirozzi (Panos Pictures)

Partnerships

• Data base – who is doing what where and with whom

• Potential partners – analysis of UK institutions

• Network of external partners• Identify partners in areas e.g.

Poverty alleviation

Mark Reed

DevInfo data base

Projects of the University of Aberdeen, per college

Total number of projects 1 - 12 - 45 - 5Missing Value

CASS

0 - 0g Number of projects 1 - 1 Missing Value

CLSM

g Number of projects 1 - 1

g Number of projects 2 - 4

g Number of projects 5 - 5 Missing Value

COPS

g Number of projects 1 - 1

g Number of projects 2 - 4 Missing Value

Capacity and skills building

• Identify needs and build teams• Build capacity of researchers e.g. Gender and development, poverty alleviation• Scholarships, exchange students

Kyrgyz girl computing class, Homans

• Draft strategy developed• Presentations to cross college seminar (55), college (CASS 45)

and school seminars (25 Biological Sciences) + Rowett• Presentation to Vice Chancellors at Association of

Commonwealth Universities conference• 30 Associates• 3 Funding proposals/EOI submitted• Support to development of ESPA bids• Partnership with International Centre for Migration Health and

Development, discussions with World Chronic Poverty Centre• Partnerships with ACES, centre for Energy and Law, Gender

Studies Centre, Global Uncertainties• Scottish HEIs (25 persons) for book launch• CSID Launch preparations

Progress so far

Application of research into nutrition and possible future collaboration

Application (2)

• 5 days meeting Nairobi focused on crop production and the impact of pests and diseases.

• Main message: farmers are not getting timely or quality information about the problems their crops face (i.e.. the extension services do not work)

• A novel IT-extension service that combined web resources for extension workers and mobile phone based outreach would do absolute wonders.

Gates Funding Priorities

• Close key gaps in the understanding of poor nutrition and how to treat it.

• Accelerate the development and production of fortified foods and provide access to them.

• Promote breastfeeding and provide access to complementary foods.

• Reduce low birth weight. • Develop crops with higher levels of nutrients. • Advocate for comprehensive global and country-led

nutrition solutions.

Gates Foundation and BBSRC

• BBSRC are planning a new call on international development in crop plants with joint funding from DFID and Gates Foundation. There will almost certainly be a big call in a few months and can include partners from USA.

• Human Frontiers Science Programme offers fellowships for

young non-biologist scientists to do biology projects in order to facilitate interdisciplinarity. Fellows may go to or from any participating country which includes most of the developed world.

http://www.hfsp.org/about/AboutProg.php

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Global Food Security

• Closing Date for Applications: Aug 11, 2010 • Grant Category of Funding Activity:

– Agriculture – Education – Food and Nutrition – Health – Regional Development – Science and Technology and other Research and Development

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=53031

Estimated Total Program Funding: $19,000,000 Award ceiling: $10,000,000