Knowledge Exchange Overview

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Africa College scientists in the field

The success of Africa College will depend upon how our research and activities make a difference and an impact. To help achieve this Africa College has developed a communications strategy to enhance the exchange and use of knowledge by a wide range of stakeholders - from policy makers to farmers. Our knowledge exchange activities include:

Policy notes on science and technology

The College is working to make an impact on policy by preparing notes on food security, biotechnology and environmental change. One example is an issues paper for the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development on climate change and agriculture. Members are working with the Centre for Climate Change for Economic Policy to increase this impact on policies that help deliver sustainable development.

Workshops and conferences

The College holds cross-boundary workshops and conferences that bring together multi-disciplinary perspectives to discuss current and future research. Workshops have been held on: innovative crop improvement; peri-urban vegetable production; climate, ecosystems and society; biodiversity and contemporary diets; food and local transport, and water and food security. A conference “Agriculture: Africa's "Engine for Growth" – Plant science & biotechnology hold the key” was held in 2009 that brought together about 100 scientists to examine how advances in plant science research are being used to benefit African agriculture and farmers. More

Online lectures from leading scientists

Africa College is holding a series of seminars delivered by leading scientists from Africa, Europe and the USA on human health and sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. External, cross boundary speakers have included, Professor John Pickett FRS (Wolf food prize), Professor Julian Ma, Hotung Chair for Molecular Immunology at St. George's, UK, and Dr Colin Chartres, Director General, International Water Management Institute. More

International experts present their work online

Building awareness of development issues that affect sub-Saharan Africa

Through activities such as ‘Making an Impact through Communication competition’ and the Leeds Science Festival, Africa College aims to build awareness of development issues that affect sub-Saharan Africa. School children, undergraduates, technicians, post graduates, post doctoral researchers have all been engaged in these activities. More

Networking through “Research Without Boundaries”

This initiative links postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers in Africa and Europe to share their knowledge and experiences. A current activity is a “pen-pal” scheme which aims to exchange research protocols, analytical approaches and improve transferable skills. More