Global Challenges Research Fund. Investing in world-class research for international development. RCUK the first year

Transcription

1 Global Challenges Research Fund Investing in world-class research for international development RCUK the first year

2 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE UK RESEARCH COUNCILS Extreme poverty; environmental degradation and climate change; infectious diseases; insecure food systems; inadequate water; sanitation and hygiene systems; lack of access to proper education (especially for girls); fragile states; protracted violence and extremism these are global challenges that impact us all and threaten future generations. In 2016, the United Nation s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by leaders across the world, setting ambitious goals for the next 15 years, for example: to end poverty, mitigate climate change, and end inequality ensuring that no-one is left behind. Research has a crucial role to play in helping fulfil this ambition. The Research Councils have a strong history of leveraging the UK s world-leading research-base to help provide long-term, sustainable solutions to improve the lifelong health and well-being of the world s most vulnerable people. Such research very often brings direct and indirect benefit to the UK too. The Research Councils have a variety of mechanisms through which they fund research with an international development focus, working in partnership with a broad range of local, national, international and multilateral organisations, and agencies. THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES RESEARCH FUND An exciting new funding stream is the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a 1.5Bn fund announced by the UK Government in late 2015 to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries. Through close coordination the seven Research Councils, alongside the other GCRF delivery partners 1, are creating complementary programmes that: promote challenge-led disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, including the participation of researchers who may not previously have considered the applicability of their work to development issues. strengthen capacity for research, innovation and knowledge exchange in the UK and developing countries through partnership with excellent UK research and researchers. provide an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research need. GCRF forms part of the UK s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment, which is monitored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). KEY NUMBERS 1.5Bn total investment over four years 7 delivery partners 474 awards made by the Research Councils 112M invested across all delivery partners 50 partner countries already involved in GRCF projects These figures are valid to 31 December The UK has a robust system for supporting excellent research in open competition through peer review, of which the Research Councils are at the centre. The GCRF builds on these strengths, boosting research excellence, international partnerships (especially with developing countries) and research with impact. This is supported by transparent and rigorous decision making processes for funding and spending. 1 The GCRF delivery partners: Research Councils UK, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Department for Education Northern Ireland, Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and UK Space Agency

3 INVESTING IN RESEARCH FOR CHANGE GCRF is supporting excellent researchers and impactful, development-relevant research through: Funding disciplinary and interdisciplinary research to address global challenges; Strengthening capability for research and innovation, within developing countries and the UK; Providing agile response to emergencies, where there is an urgent research need. During 2016, the Research Councils and other GCRF delivery partners developed a list of challenge areas in consultation with the UK Department for International Development, with reference to the UK Aid Strategy and the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). The Research Councils are already delivering research and innovation to address the 12 challenge areas identified, which fall under three themes: Equitable access to sustainable development 1. Secure and resilient food systems supported by sustainable marine resources and agriculture. 2. Sustainable health and well being. 3. Inclusive and equitable quality education. 4. Clean air, water and sanitation. 5. Affordable, reliable, sustainable energy. Sustainable economies and societies 6. Sustainable livelihoods supported by strong foundations for inclusive economic growth and innovation. 7. Resilience and action on short-term environmental shocks and long-term environmental change. 8. Sustainable cities and communities. 9. Sustainable production and consumption of materials and other resources. Human rights, good governance and social justice 10. Understand and respond effectively to forced displacement and multiple refugee crises. 11. Reduce conflict and promote peace, justice and humanitarian action. 12. Reduce poverty and inequality, including gender inequalities. GCRF will contribute to realising the ambitions of the UK aid strategy and to making progress on the global effort to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

4 BUILDING A GLOBAL RESEARCH The GCRF will significantly increase research capacity and capability in the UK and in developing countries, whilst increasing excellent research with impact. The ambition is to generate innovative solutions to intractable development issues and to identify practicable pathways to healthier and safer lives, sustainable development and prosperity for all, equal and effective education, social justice and human rights, and stable institutions. Working in equitable partnerships with researchers from across the world, UK researchers are already maximising the opportunities offered by the GCRF to take the lead in global development. DEVELOPING PRIMARY HEALTHCARE RESPONSE TO GENDER VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE AND BRAZIL Researchers from the University of Bristol, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, An-Najah National University, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, the University of São Paolo, and the World Health Organization (WHO), are working together to develop and evaluate the primary healthcare responses to violence against women in low- and middleincome countries, with the ultimate aim of ensuring increased safety and better health outcomes. DEVELOPING A RISK MITIGATION STRATEGY FOR SINKHOLE COLLAPSE IN SOUTH AFRICA Sinkhole collapse is a major problem in South Africa with 2,600 documented cases since the 1960s. And in 2010, 3,000 families were relocated from their homes in Babsfontein after the appearance of large sink holes. This relocation led to social unrest. Researchers from Durham and Pretoria universities will work with engineer and practitioner partners to develop a mitigation strategy against the risk.

5 COMMUNITY EMPOWERING WOMEN, ENHANCING HERITAGE AND INCREASING CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN ETHIOPIA In Ethiopia chickens are considered women s animals, due to their size and proximity to homes. As a result women generally control the money they derive from their sale, which they are likely to spend on education, health and nutrition. Through collaboration (with the International Livestock Research Institute, the National Museum of Ethiopia and the Africa Programme researchers), UK researchers are working to address the widespread issue of female socio-economic immobility, jointly conducting female-centred cultural/scientific research into chicken husbandry, past and present, to support Ethiopia s future and economic/heritage development. SUPPORTING THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF BONDED LABOURERS IN NEPAL Bonded labour is a form of modern day slavery indebting agricultural workers to landlords. It affects more than 20 million people globally, causing psychological distress and the disintegration of communities. Researchers from the University of York are working with UK-based charity the Freedom Fund, Geneva Global Inc, and the Centre for Mental Health Counselling in Nepal, to create a training programme for community facilitators with the view to rolling out the programme across south eastern Nepal. TILAPIA AQUACULTURE: BUILDING CAPACITY FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION IN TANZANIA Tanzania has abundant natural resources suited to aquaculture and fisheries production, but currently aquaculture is still largely for subsistence and the industry contributes only 1.4% to GDP. In recognition of this potential, UK researchers have established a consortium to enable concerted efforts to address challenges facing the aquaculture value chain. It is envisaged that this consortium will lead to the formation of a National Aquaculture Development Centre (NADC) to build capacity within Tanzania via access to world-leading technology, expertise, and peer-to-peer training. Researchers from the Earlham Institute and Bangor University are committed to working with other UK institutes and partners in Tanzania, Malaysia, and Sweden, to identify the best ways to increase production at the same time as preserving the country s valuable biodiversity.

6 The Research Councils have a long and impressive track record of delivering research which supports international development. The following are some examples highlighting the breadth of research which the Research Councils currently invest in. These examples demonstrate the wide-ranging, positive impacts projects can have, and the many partners involved in tackling these global challenges. BOOSTING SOCIAL RECOVERY IN SIERRA LEONE 2002 marked the end of Sierra Leone s brutal civil war in which tens of thousands of civilians lost their lives, and a quarter of the population were displaced. A project, funded by AHRC and led by University College London, explored how Sierra Leone could boost social recovery using heritage and culture. The project focused on visual arts, digital technologies and contemporary museum practices as instruments to rebuild peace and approach social reconciliation. Working with the Sierra Leone National Museum (SLNM), the researchers provided a programme of training and capacity building in practices for museum staff, the Monuments and Relics Commission and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. A senior curator working at the SLNM said: The activities strengthened the professional capacity of museum staff by adapting international standards and best practice in the context of our own work. Through the programme, more than 4,000 cultural objects, images and sound recordings were added to an innovative digital heritage information asset. Educational resources were created for schools and international audiences too. Paul Basu A GENERATOR TO TRANSFORM LIVES An affordable cooking stove that generates electricity could transform lives in the world s poorest communities. Developed by the University of Nottingham with EPSRC support, the concept behind the Score- Stove (Stove for Cooking, Refrigeration and Electricity) is a unique application of thermo-acoustics whereby heat is produced, converted into sound energy and transformed into electricity. The stove is fuelled by burning products including wood or dung and converts the heat into enough electricity to power lights whilst simultaneously charging a mobile phone. Each household with access to a Score-Stove could even sell surplus electricity to neighbours. Aiming to improve the lives of more than 60 million people in developing countries, the project began as a 2 million research consortium. Its goal was to significantly improve health, quality of life, economic growth, and social and educational opportunities, in sub-saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South America. The team began by looking at the energy needs of rural communities, before developing the capability to manufacture an affordable and versatile domestic appliance. An early version Score-Stove, primarily for use as a high-efficiency, low-smoke cooking appliance, is already being used by communities in Nepal, Kenya and Zambia. Univerity of Nottingham

7 BUILDING BONDS WITH AFRICA THROUGH OUR SHARED SKY In a small town 140 km west of Nairobi, most young girls want to be doctors, lawyers or singers. Ann Neri Ng endo wanted to study space science. Now at the age of 27, she is on the right path with Development for Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA), an STFC-funded project looking to fuel growth in Africa through radio astronomy. Sub-Saharan Africa is now becoming a radio astronomy hotbed. In 2012, it was announced that South Africa and Australia, along with eight African partners, would host the Square Kilometre Array: the world s largest radio telescope. DARA was created by Leeds University professor Melvin Hoare, combining his interest of developing nations with his professional passions. So far DARA, partnering with local institution, has trained radio astronomers from Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Namibia and Botswana. In these countries DARA will build telescopes or convert telecommunications antennas into radio telescopes. The partnership, which includes several UK universities and industrial partners, goes beyond training to use telescopes. Staffed by experienced telecommunications and space industry entrepreneurs, DARA educates its trainees into business practice and knowledge transfer. In two years, Hoare expects to see DARA s first PhD students complete their training and return to their home countries to set up their own research groups. This experience has enabled me to do a project at a radio observatory, something beyond my wildest imagination a few months ago, Ann Neri Ng endo said. HartRAO FIGHTING AMR RESISTANCE IN RURAL CHINA Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat facing society, with the over-reliance on antibiotics stopping drug treatments working to treat common illnesses for both humans and animals. In recognition of this global challenge, the Newton Fund AMR- China Partnership Initiative was found. Supported by MRC, BBSRC, ESRC and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, this global collaborative research initiative aims to help tackle the problem. Very little is known about the use of antibiotics in rural environments in China. This includes what influences healthcare practitioners to prescribe or dispense antibiotics without the resources needed to assess the specific type of bacteria causing the problem. A pioneering pilot project, led by the University of Bristol, hopes to build on research to develop an interdisciplinary solution to find appropriate strategies to optimise antibiotic use in China. Although most countries are developing national action plans to tackle AMR, there s been very little opportunity to understand how we can tailor interventions to make them appropriate for the particular context. We hope the knowledge gained will be relevant to tackling the problem of AMR in local settings in China, but also for the UK in terms of learning how to understand a wide range of parameters when working in a very different kind of environment, says Dr Helen Lambert, University of Bristol. Thinkstock

8 CROP-RAIDING ELEPHANTS STOPPED BY BEEHIVE FENCING With lives and livelihoods threatened by elephant crop raids, researchers from the University of Oxford explored alternative deterrents that are affordable and non-violent. Research in Kenya, by Professor Fritz Vollrath and Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton, confirmed local anecdotal evidence that African elephants avoid feeding on acacia trees that hold beehives. Further studies with Dr Lucy King, were carried out in 2010 to identify the factors associated with beehives that deter elephants. Field trials helped develop a model for building effective beehive fences using inexpensive, easily available materials. Introducing the fences stopped around 80 per cent of elephant crop raids. This in turn has reduced human-elephant conflicts and elephant killings, increased crop yields, and led to greater food security. The successful Kenyan trials led directly to the adoption of beehive fences being included in the Conservation and Management Strategy for the Elephant in Kenya Beehive fences have also been successfully applied in four other African countries (Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda and Botswana), and are being tested in an additional six countries, including India and Sri Lanka. In Uganda, the Malaika Honey project supports local farmers in producing elephant-friendly honey and beeswax which supplements their income. Beehive fences have also been reported to improve crop yield through increased bee pollination. Funders included ESRC, NERC, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, The Future for Nature Award, the Rufford Foundation, and a number of smaller organisations. Lucy King For more information about GCRF, please contact: gcrf@rcuk.ac.uk #GCRF Cover images: evenfh, yanjf, Paul Cooper, HomoCosmicos Published in April 2017