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African Postgraduate Conference on Science of the Environment

Innovations in Research towards a sustainable Africa
13th – 14th March 2018

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Background

Africa is a continent rich in vast natural resources – especially oil, gas and minerals and this has been responsible in some great degree for the rapid development and economic growth of the continent in the last decade even though this has not translated to reduced poverty and hunger, or improved health and education.

Sub-Saharan Africa has a population of over 1 billion people and this is estimated to double by 2050. Of this population, over 47% lives on less than $1.25 per day, while over 80% of Africans have no access to electricity especially in the rural areas. With increasing population, there are huge impacts on housing, land use, population, unemployment, waste management and ready access to low-cost energy.

With dependence on biomass burning in the form of fuel-wood in the rural areas and dependence on oil and gas in the cities, energy security and sustainability in Africa is under threat with both having significant impacts on the environment. With the fall in oil prices in recent times, there has been a major hit on most African economies and a new agenda promoting the development of other African resources particularly: its fertile land, its extensive fisheries and forests, and the energy and development of skills and capacity of the African people for increased innovation to solve its problems. In addition to this, the global agenda on sustainability is having significant implications on how African government develop wealth for its people with due consideration for the management of the environment.

In order to bridge these gaps to take advantage of the opportunities in the management of the environment in Africa, every year, several thousand Africans come to the UK to study for post-graduate programs whether self-funded or through a scholarship scheme. There is increased competition for international students and adding value to their studies is a good way to engage them. Therefore, an opportunity to provide a platform for interaction, the sharing of their research outputs and experiences, and the development of research partnerships, would be a great advantage to the African post-graduate community. This is the basis for the APCOSE event which has been jointly designed by the Lancaster University Graduate School for the Environment and Envirofly Consulting UK Limited.

Conference Themes

  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Capacity Building
  • Knowledge Transfer
  • Government Support Frameworks and Incentives
  • Environmental Research

The conference is centred on Innovations in Research towards a sustainable Africa. A unique opportunity for African postgraduate students studying in and around the UK to present their research as oral or poster presentations, meet and network with African academic sponsorship organisations and their representatives, African environmental regulatory bodies, African and UK academicians, African and UK-based environmental solutions companies.

The conference is aimed at fostering partnerships between and among the afore mentioned environmental stakeholders in Africa and the UK at large.

Call for abstracts for platform and poster presentations
  1. Pollution
  2. Climate Change and Eco-innovation
  3. Agriculture and Food Security
  4. Waste Management
  5. Renewable/Alternative Sources of Energy
  6. Environmental Economics & Finance
  7. Sustainable Development
  8. Environment and Gender Issues
Submission of abstracts

Deadline for Abstract submission to be announced

Required information:

  • Title of presentation
  • Authorship
  • Abstract – no more than 150 words
  • Please indicate format preference: Platform or Poster

Conference fees:

  • £100 including conference dinner, lunch and refreshments
Submit your Abstract here

Keynote speakers

More national and international keynote speakers to be announced.

Professor Kirk T Semple
Director of International Engagement
Lancaster Environment Centre
Lancaster University

Dr Akanimo P. Odon
CEO, Envirofly Consulting UK Limited

Agenda

Day 1: 13th March

Time

SubjectSpeaker
10amSubject 1A. Person
11amSubject 2A. Person
12pmLunch
1pmSubject 3A. Person
2pmSubject 4A. Person
Day 2: 14th March

Time

SubjectSpeaker
10amSubject 1A. Person
11amSubject 2A. Person
12pmLunch
1pmSubject 3A. Person
2pmSubject 4A. Person

Find Us

Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University LA1 4YQ

Lancaster Environment Centre
Library Avenue
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YQ

Accommodation

Lancaster Conferences manages and operates 80 Guest Bedrooms all year round and these are available to both internal and external guests.

We offer a mix of single twin and double bedrooms throughout the year and have received accreditation from Visit England. Guests staying in our 3* ensuite bedrooms will receive complimentary toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, car parking and Wi-Fi.

Our delicious breakfast inclusive rate is served in the Marketplace, located less than a 2-minute walk from the accommodation. All of our guest bedrooms are also located close to our impressive selection of campus restaurants and bars.

Book here