PRDF 2019

2019 PRDF PROJECTS

The AAUN PRDF Program is an annual competitive seed funding that builds teams to address mutual Australian African research challenges in environment, food and nutrition security, or in related aspects of higher education and economic development. We received 44 expressions of interest and 14 full proposals. We are awarding ten catalyst seed grants. The winning award teams are shown in the list below.

Name of Project Principal Investigator(s) AAUN Partners  Non-AAUN Partners Objectives & Outcomes
Economic development, health and nutrition for sustainable development Dr Janet Dzator,
University of Newcastle
Prof Francesco Paulocci; Dr Adrian Melia; Dr Heidi Wechtler,University of Newcastle; A/Prof Bruno Lule Yawe; Dr Allen Kabagenyi,
Makerere
University;Prof Okurut Francis Nathan; Prof Njoku Ola Ama, University of Botswana; 
A/Prof James Gillespie, University of Sydney; Uni of Cape Coast, Ghana: Dr Ekow E. Asmah; Dr Francis Kwaw Andoh; Central Queensland Uni, Australia: Dr Michael Dzator To investigate health, nutrition and economic development reforms or features shaping sustainable development goals in Africa and Australia.
Transitioning to a sustainable future through STEM training and research Professor Tim Roberts, University of Newcastle Professor Madara Ogot, University of
Nairobi
Professor Charles Omwandho, Kirinyaga University, Kenya To bring together the Australian and African universities to form collaborative networks in the area of sustainability andtransitioning in the face of climate change.
High value dehydrated products from traditional vegetables in South Africa as a low-calorie meal replacement with health benefits Professor Dharini Sivakumar, Tshwane University of Technology

Prof Namita Lall,
University of
Pretoria;

Assoc Prof Yasmina Sultanbawa, University
of Queensland;

 

Mr Pejman Norastehfar Covestro Deutschland AG Europe, Middle east & Africa

To investigate high value dehydrated products from traditional vegetables as a low-calorie meal replacement with health benefits. To improve economic benefits,and food security among the rural population.
Wind-borne soil erosion and the nutrient and microbial characteristics of dust in major Southern Hemisphere source areas Dr Andrew Dansie;  University of New South Wales Prof Richard Stuetz, Uni of New South Wales; A/Prof Frank Eckardt; Dr Johanna von Holdt, Uni of Cape Town; Prof Don A Cowan; Dr Thulani Makhalanyane;Dr Surendra Vikram; Dr Max Ortiz; Dr Pedro Lebre, Uni of Pretoria This project will characterize major hydrological and agricultural-related dust sources of the Southern Hemisphere: southern Africa and Australia.
Opportunities for addressing disaster and climate change-related displacement in Africa under the global compacts for migration and refugees Dr Tamara Wood, University of New South Wales Assoc Prof Fatima Khan, Uni of Cape Town; Dr Chris Dolan, Makerere
University; Prof Edwin Abuya, Uni of Nairobi;Dr Romola Adeola, Uni of Pretoria
Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD); Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) To advance research on disaster and climate change displacement in Africa, contribute to the formulation of policy recommendations for Africa, and develop networks for ongoing collaboration.
Integrating Urban Green Infrastructure and Food Security for Economic Development in African Cities Dr Alec Thornton, University of New South Wales

Prof Prem Ramburuth, Uni of New South Wales; Prof Shuaib Lwasa & Dr Buyana Kareem, Makerere
University; Dr Raphael Nyonje; Dr Jacque Walubwa, Uni of Nairobi; Dr Godfrey Hampwaye and Garikai Membele, Uni of Zambia; Assoc Prof Richard Vokes, Uni of Western Australia

Kampala City Council; Nairobi City County

To improve how we think about urban green space and its relevance to creating smart green cities, in theory and practice. Outcomes of this project will inform policy decisions for social and economic development, healthier cities and the development of a larger grant application.
Australia-Africa macadamia plant protection research network Prof Andre Drenth, University of Queensland Dr Gerda Fourie, University of Pretoria Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) Hort Innovation Australia (HIA) Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) To support and boost the African research program which will benefit macadamia production on the African continent. Sustainable production of high value crops like macadamia will boost smallholder incomes and livelihoods.
Development, diplomacy and the diaspora: Deepening engagement between African-Australians, the diplomatic corps and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Dr David Mickler, University of Western Australia

Assoc Prof Farida Fozdar; Dr Nikola Pijovic; Tinashe Jakwa, PhD Candidate; Nosa Omokaro, PhD Candidate, Uni of Western Australia; Dr Demeke Achiso; Prof Kay Matthews, Uni of Addis Ababa; Prof Samuel M. Makinda, Murdoch Uni;Dr Diana Johns, Uni of Melbourne

Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); Africa Group of Diplomats, Canberra; Australian Foreign Minister’s Advisory Group on Australia-Africa Relations (AGAAR) Dr Casta Tungaraza; African Union, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) Ahmed El-Basheer; Pan-African Australasian Diaspora Network (PAADN) John Nze-Bertram, Dr Apollo Nsubuga-Kyobe; African Think Tank (ATT) Haileluel Gebre-selassie

To identify existing and potential contributions by the African diaspora in Australia to both the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and to Australia-Africa relations. To explore how such diaspora contributions could be more effectively utilised and supported by innovative community engagement strategies and foreign/development policies.
Collective Action for Sustainable Development: The Case of Smallholder Dairy Cooperatives in ODA Countries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Insecurity and Nutrition of African Refugee Children Prior to Resettlement

Dr Amin Mugera, University of Western Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tina Lavin, University of Western Australia

Prof Frederick Obese, Uni of Ghana; Prof George Gitau, Uni of Nairobi;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prof Kadambot Siddique, UWA; Dr Mary Ani-Amponsah, Uni of Ghana;Dr Chizoma Ndikom, Uni of Ibadan;Dr Ellenore Meyer; Ms Marion Beeforth, Uni of Pretoria; Dr Mohammed Ali, Curtin Uni;

Prof John Tarlton, Uni of Bristol, UK; Dr Amos Omore from International Livetsock Research Institute, Kenya; Dr Deepa Ananth from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uni of Alberta, Dr Bukola Salami; Uni of Massachusetts, Dr Lindiwe Sibeko; Telethon Kids Institute, Dr Carrington Shepherd Center for Right to Health, Nigeria, Dr Stella Iwuagwu

To develop a data collection protocol for benchmarking and evaluating the performance of smallholder dairy cooperatives in ODA countries. To identify best practice and barriers to optimal operation, and improve the performance of the cooperatives in meeting their mandates, enhance the welfare of people and animals at farm, cooperative and national level.

 

To establish a multidisciplinary collaborative network across Australia, Africa, USA and Canada to conduct a scoping review of literature, establish future research priorities, and to share current methods used to address food insecurity in refugee populations in sub-Saharan Africa.