Increased food security through improved postharvest systems using renewable and sustainable energy for rural communities

UK coordinator: Dr Yaodong Wang, Newcastle University

South African partner country coordinator: Dr Annie Chimphango, Stellenbosch University

Kenyan partner coordinator: Prof Christopher Kanali, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Discipline: Postharvest Technology, Sustainable Energy and Food Processing

Dates and venue: 4th – 8^th September 2017,  Protea Hotel, Stellenbosch, South Africa

The programme, ‘British Council Researcher Links’, will provide opportunities for early career researchers from the UK, South Africa and Kenya to interact, learn from each, share research expertise, network and explore opportunities for building long-lasting research collaborations for improving processes and efficiencies in postharvest systems that specifically target vulnerable communities. The workshop will explore ways of improving postharvest systems for rural communities to improve food security in Kenya and South Africa.

The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for sharing research expertise and networking. During the workshops early career researchers will have the opportunity to present their research in the form of brainstorming and discussion of specific case studies with established researchers from the UK, Kenya and South Africa. There will be a focus on building up links for future collaborations and participants selected on the basis of their research potential and ability to build longer term links.

The British Council and the Newton Fund will cover the costs related to the participation in the workshop, including: travel (both international and local), accommodation and meals. Costs for the visa will also be covered; however participants will be responsible for making all the necessary arrangements. The British Council accepts no responsibility for any problems which may occur when the participants are in-country.

 Eligibility Criteria:

- Participants must be early career researchers: Early career researchers are defined as an individual who has been awarded his or her PhD not more than 10 years prior to the workshop, or is currently near completing their PhD. Allowances can be made for career breaks.

- If a researcher does not hold a PhD, but has research experience equivalent to a PhD holder and works in a field where a PhD is not a pre-requisite for established research activity, they can still be considered eligible.

- Participants must have a research or academic position (a permanent post, research contract, or fellowship etc.) at a recognised research institution either in the UK, South Africa or Kenya.

- Please note that participants are expected to attend and contribute to all sessions of the workshop.

- Applications must be submitted using the Researcher Links application form

- Application must be submitted before the above deadline

Equal Opportunities

Equal opportunities and diversity are at the heart of the British Council’s cultural relations ambitions. While recognising that some research fields are dominated by one particular gender, co-ordinators are encouraged to work towards an equal gender balance, promote diversity. They must not exclude applicants on the basis of ethnicity, gender, religious belief, sexual orientation, or disability. Participants’ selection undertaken by workshop organisers must not contravene this policy.

Application and Deadline:

The full application below must be completed and submitted by the 15th  August 2017 (only for South African Applicant) to Dr Yaodong Wang (yaodong.wang@newcastle.ac.uk) and Dr Pankaj Pathare (Pankaj.Pathare@newcastle.ac.uk)

Please enter ‘Trilateral workshop application’ in the email subject line.

Applicants will be notified by email one months prior to the workshop.