Advancing Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains through Strengthening Transdisciplinary Skills and Cooperation in East African Doctoral Education
Co-funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
of the European Union
Advancing Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains through Strengthening Transdisciplinary Skills and Cooperation in East African Doctoral Education
Co-funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
of the European Union
ADVALUE aims to modernise doctoral programs in agricultural and environmental related sciences, by introducing innovative courses in transdisciplinary research methods and value chain approaches. This objective is targeted in Work Package 4 (WP4) – “Development of Advanced PhD Modules”.
The content of four different PhD modules is developed in specific Module Working Groups through physical and online meetings, study trips, pilot trainings and stakeholder communication. Topics of high regional, as well as global, relevance are identified and approached from a transdisciplinary point of view. Learning methodologies are jointly developed in order to meet the needs of East African partners. The pilot testing of the new modules will be held at the two Kenyan and two Ugandan Universities participating in the project.
After evaluating the new courses, they can be included in about 30 running degree-programmes at these four partner East African universities.
Moreover, the experience exchange and dissemination by actively participating network partners opens up a broader adaptation and long-term sustainability of the project’s outputs.
The module includes the following topics: • research design and data management• literature research• scientific and target-group oriented publication• ethics in Scientific research• case examples of scientific working methods in emerging areas. Essential skills in scientific research offers a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts and practices of scientific research. Learners will develop essential skills in data management and analysis, including the use of digital tools and AI-powered platforms, to effectively organise, interpret, and present research findings. The course also includes an advanced literature search and highlights the significance of ethical considerations in responsible research. Learners will also explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and research, gaining insights into how their scientific work can have real-world applications and potential commercialization opportunities. Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and case studies, learners will build a strong foundation for conducting responsible, impactful, and digitally advanced research
Transdisciplinary research is based on processes of mutual learning between scientists and social actors and contributes to finding solutions to complex problems in the agricultural and food sector, for example by contributing to food security, sustainable resource management and adaptation to climate change. In this module students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and structures of transdisciplinary research (TDR) and how it can contribute to addressing sustainability issues. As knowledge co-creation is at the core of TDR, a conceptual background is provided on the premise and value of integrating different perspectives and types of knowledge in research to address sustainability issues. Since TDR is based on systems thinking, theoretical and conceptual knowledge on systems approaches and in particular the concept of social-ecological systems will be provided. The aim is to enable students to see complex problems from different perspectives and to recognise different interrelationships and contextual dependencies. As collaboration with different stakeholders is central, an actor and action-oriented approach will be introduced and students will learn the basics of community-based research, how to effectively involve, collaborate and communicate with different societal stakeholders as a prerequisite for a collaborative research process and knowledge co-creation. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of addressing gender inequalities and ensuring inclusivity in the research process, and will become aware of different aspects of ethics in transdisciplinary research and how to consider them in research projects. Most of the module focuses on methodological lectures and practical exercises to provide students with experiential knowledge of different participatory tools for knowledge integration and co-creation in a transdisciplinary project context. Specifically, students will be introduced to participatory learning and action, participatory epidemiology and visual methods as effective approaches for integrating knowledge from social actors. Students will also practice qualitative methods such as focus group discussions and narrative interviews. Qualitative data analysis methods complete this part. Finally, students are given the opportunity to integrate different approaches, methods and tools in the design of a fictional TD research process addressing a complex problematic situation in the field of agri-food systems.
Rangelands cover about 54% of the global land surface, and about 43% of Africa’s land area. Most of the world rangelands are managed for extensive livestock production that characterize pastoralism, and wildlife conservation. Rangelands directly support about 500 million pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, hunters and gatherers, ranchers, and about 2 billion people worldwide who indirectly rely on them for a range of social, economic and environmental services. As the world’s population grows and demand for animal products rise, the role rangelands in producing forage for livestock production becomes increasingly important to global food security. Rangelands contain nearly 30% of the world’s terrestrial carbon, making them very crucial for mitigating climate change. Rangeland ecosystems therefore need far more global attention and protection to sustainably supply these numerous ecosystem services. The module is intended to equip the learners with a good understanding of the arid and semi-arid rangeland ecosystems and pastoral production systems that dominates these ecosystems. Learners are expected to acquire knowledge and skills in rangeland resource management and monitoring using both the conventional and traditional approaches. Students shall gain knowledge and hands on skills in application of technology (GIS and digital applications) in rangeland assessment to guide decisions, as well as application of systems approach for rangeland management. Learners will be introduced to the concepts and principles of one health approach and livestock disease surveillance in the rangelands. Additionally, the students are expected to acquire knowledge and skills in nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation in the rangelands and the mitigation co-benefits. The course is designed to test students understanding and application of learnt skills through participation in demonstrations, case studies, ecological measurements, practical GIS analyses, participatory exercises, continuous assessment tests, term paper, seminar presentations, and final examination. It is expected that the module will guide the students’ research study ideas and design. The module has 60 contact hours, which shall be delivered through hybrid approach comprising face-to-face and online sessions.
This Module is focused on Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain Development, including the following topics:• climate change impacts on agricultural crops and commodities• introduction to value-chain approaches for agricultural biologicals• agricultural market linkages analysis and development• agricultural Value Chain (AVC) financing and governance• AVC project development and implementation cycle• gender mainstreaming in AVC.
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