PRDF 2018

2018 PRDF PROJECTS

The AAUN PRDF Program is an annual competitive seed funding round that builds teams to address mutual Australian African research challenges in environment and agriculture, food and nutrition, and education and employment developments relevant to these fields. There are 8 awards made from 13 total applications this year. The main area of focus for the 2018 programs is in food and nutrition security.

We received a high proportion of excellent applications but can only fund those within our funding limit. The winning award teams are shown in the list below.

Name of Project Principal Investigator(s) AAUN Partners  Non-AAUN Partners Objectives & Outcomes
Improved food security and biodiversity outcomes go hand-in-hand A/Prof Matt Hayward,
University of Newcastle
Prof Michael
Somers,
University
of Pretoria;
Mr Tutilo
Mudumba,
Makerere
University 
Dr Lourens Swanepoel, University of Venda To improve food security without negatively affecting biodiversity.
Aquaculture Production and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa: Lessons from Uganda and Kenya A/Prof
Richard Vokes, University of Western Australia
Prof Theodora
Hyuha,
Makerere
UniversityDr Joyce Maina, University of
Nairobi
Ms Gertrude Atukunda, Ministry of Agriculture, Uganda,
National Agricultural Resreach Organisation
To focus on how fish-farming projects can more effectively contribute to improve the lives of women through improvement in nutrition, income and empowerment.
Community-based Social Network for Mitigating Hidden Hunger Dr Bahman Javadi, Western Sydney University

Prof Sheryl
Hendriks,
University of
Pretoria;

Dr Folake O.
Samuel, University
of Ibadan;

Prof Willis Oluoch Kosura,
University of
Nairobi

Project Everest Ventures Entrepreneurial Hub, Sydney, Australia

To mitigate hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies)
by employing
a community Ebased social network.
A Mapping Australia-Africa Partnerships in Higher Education Prof Anthony Welch, University of Sydney Dr Jude
Ssempebwa and
Dr Ronald Bisaso,
Makerere University;
Prof Chika Sehoole, University of Pretoria;
Dr Rose Amazan, Uni of New England, Australia; Prof Damtew Teferra, Uni of KwaZulu Natal, SA; Prof Crain Soudien, Human Science Research Council (HSRC), Pretoria SA To conduct a mapping study of Australia-Africa Partnerships in Higher Education to highlight the extent and quality of existing agreements between Australian and African Universities and to provide a basis for determining remaining challenges.
Food safety risk profiling and monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes in environmental, retail and domestic settings in Africa and Australia Prof Elna Buys, University of Pretoria Dr Ihab Habib and
Dr Meighan Bruce,
Murdoch University;
Dr Patrick Njage,
University of Nairobi, Dr Angela Parry-Hanson Kunadu,
University of Ghana;
Dr Ivan Muzira Mukisa,
Makerere University;
Dr Hudaa Neetoo, University
of Mauritius
Dr Ranil Coorey and Prof Gary Dykes, Curtin University

 

 

 

 

To exchange expertise, enhance capacities and initiate collaborative research on the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) to provide reliable information that inform decision making by policy makers in food safety and public health.
Empowerment in the Workplace: An Exploratory Study of Women in Africa Prof Prem Ramburuth, University of New South Wales

Dr Olayide Ogunsiji,
Western Sydney University;
A/Prof Nasima Carrim, University
of Pretoria;
Dr Abimbola Oluwatosin,
University of Ibadan;
Assoc Prof Sarah Ssali, Makerere University

Ms Gloria Lamaro and Dr Mary Ejang,
Gulu University Mr Corrin Varady, Founder & Chair, World Youth Education Trust  and CEO, Institute of Digital Education Africa;Ms Caitlin Barrett, CEO and Founder Love Mercy Foundation

To investigate the role of women in a sample of sectors and organisations in Africa from various gender based perspectives which will lead to the empowerment of African women in the workplace.

 

 

 

AAUN-FLoRET: Future Legumes Research, Education & Training programme – Linking climate change and nutritional needs to agriculture Prof Janet Bornman, Murdoch University Dr Peter Johnston, University of Cape Town; Prof Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, University of Ghana; Prof Sheryl Hendriks, University of Pretoria; Prof Sunita Facknath, University of Mauritius; Dr Messay Mulugeta and Demeke Achiso, University of Addis Ababa; Dr Kirsty Bayliss, Murdoch University; Prof Kadambot Siddique, University of Western Australia Prof Carl-Otto Ottosen, Aarhus University; Assoc Prof Eva Rosenqvist, University of Copenhagen To form a collaborative, international graduate research and training programme with a unique interdisciplinary focus on sustainable and climate resilient agriculture responsive to human nutritional needs.
Enabling a food-phosphorus-sanitation sustainability network Dr Dana Cordell, University of Technology Sydney

Dr Elizabeth Tilley,
University of Malawi – The Polytechnic;
Dr Alice Mweetwa,
University of Zambia

Jimma University, Ethiopia; Cranfield University, United Kingdom

To create an expanded Australia-Africa knowledge network, linking food, phosphorus and sanitation to improve farmer livelihoods, crop yields, local employment, public & environmental health.