PRDF 2024

2024 PRDF PROJECTS

The AAUN PRDF Program is an annual competitive seed funding that builds teams to address mutual Australian African research challenges in environment, climate and the energy transition, food and nutrition security, public health, or in related aspects of higher education and economic development. We are awarding eight catalyst seed grants this year. The winning award teams are shown in the list below.

Name of Project	Principal Investigator(s)	AAUN Partners	Non-AAUN Partners	Research Area
Inclusivity in Virtual Study Tours: Using technology to foster transformational learning	Dr Aneeshta Gunness (PI), Curtin University	Prof Kirsten Holmes Dr. Julie Napoli Dr. Robyn Oushan, Curtin University; Dr. Shabanaz Baboo (Curtin University Mauritius); Prof. Dick Ng’ambi, University of Cape Town; Assoc. Prof Goonesh Bahadur, University of Mauritius; Dr. Woudi von Solms, University of Mpumalanga; Assoc. Prof. Donella Caspersz, University of Western Australia		Equality, security, and social cohesion
Building innovative capability and climate change resilience in higher education sectors in Australia and Africa	Dr Terri Trireksani (PI); Co-PIs: Prof Antonia Girardi, and Dr Augustine Donkor, Murdoch University	Dr Teddy Ossei Kwakye, University of Ghana; A/Prof Viraiyan Teeroovengadum, University of Mauritius; Prof Hadrian G. Djajadikerta, Curtin University; Ms Pradnya Dewi, Murdoch University		Environment, climate, and the energy transition
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) perception and knowledge among adolescents across two continents: Africa and Australia	Dr Blessing Akombi-Inyang (PI), University of New South Wales	Prof Alta Schutte, UNSW; Prof Ajediran Idowu Bello; Dorothy Ekua Adjabu Assistant Lecturer, University of Ghana; Cissie Namanda Research associate, Makerere University; Dr Ludo Badlangana; Ms Matsapa Phegelo; Dr Keikantse Matlhagela, University of Botswana; Dr Judith Byaruhanga, University of Newcastle; Kingsley (Arua) Kalu, Western Sydney University; Dr Barbara Nattabi, University of Western Australia	Prof Monique Kilkenny and Dr Muideen Olaiya Research Fellow, Monash University; Dr Odunaiya Nse Ayooluwa and Bosede Ehelamioke Adebayo, University of Ibadan	Public health and human wellbeing
Civil society participation in energy transition minerals governance: Comparative case studies of lithium development in Africa and Australia	Dr Joshua Matanzima (PI), University of Queensland	A/Prof Kathryn Sturman, University of Queensland; Dr Gaopalelwe Mathiba, Uni of Cape Town; Prof Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Dr Peter Narh, Dr Clement Sefa-Nyarko, Uni of Ghana; A/Prof Nicholas Bainton, Australian National University		Environment, climate and the energy transition; Equality, security and social cohesion
Gender Dynamics in Energy Transitions in African Countries and Australia	Prof Roula Inglesi-Lotz (PI), University of Pretoria	Dr. Jessika Bohlmann, A/Prof Heinrich Bohlmann; Prof Margaret Chitiga- Mabugu, Anna Maria Oosthuizen and Dr Getrude Njokwe, Uni of Pretoria; Prof Kanayo Ogujiuba and Prof Ferdinand Niyimbanira, Uni of Mpumalanga; Prof Helen Cabalu, Dr Julian Inchauspe, Dr Hiroaki Suenaga and Dr Khuong Truong, Curtin Uni; A/Prof Yixiao Zhou, Australian National University		Environment, gender inequality and the energy transition
Enhancing Well-Being in Rural Destinations through Sustainable Luxury Ecotourism Development: Delineating Structural, Product, Host Community and Tourist Factors	Dr Tinashe Ndoro (PI), University of Pretoria	Dr Jorine Ndoro, University of Mpumalanga; A/Prof Sean Lee, Curtin University; Dr Michael Lwin, Western Sydney University		Public Health and Human Well-being, Environmental, Climate, and Energy Transition, Equality, Security, and Social Cohesion
Enhancing the use of pigeonpea and other indigenous and underutilised crops in African food systems through technological and agronomic advancements	Dr Selorm Yaotse Dorvlo (PI), University of Ghana	Dr Sussy Munialo, University of Pretoria; Prof Wallace Cowling; Prof Kadambot Siddique; Winthrop Prof Michael Blakeney, University of Western Australia; Dr Yash Chauhan, University of Queensland		Sustainable food and water systems
Empowering Cattle Farmers: Harnessing Biogas for Sustainable Milk Preservation in Off-Grid Areas of Uganda	Dr Denis Nsubuga (PI), Makerere University	Prof Michael Wandayi Okoth, University of Nairobi; Laureate Professor Ravi Naidu, Uni of Newcastle; Professor Damien Batstone, University of Queenaland	Dr. Ishmeal Ramatsa, University of Johannesburg (ARUA member), South Africa; Dr. Achong O Moses, Department of Production, Kyankwanzi District Local Government, Uganda	Environment, climate, and the energy transition