Dr. Humphrey Agevi an Environmentalist and Climate Change Specialist from the Department of Biological Sciences is among a consortium awarded a four-year IDRC grant to conduct research in ‘Leveraging Mathematical Sciences for Climate Resilience Solutions (Math4CCR).’ The program seeks to strengthen the capacities of early career researchers to apply Mathematical Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Action. This will foster the institutionalization of Mathematical Sciences and AI skills and cultivate a cohort of AI champions proficient in applying Mathematical Sciences and AI to address climate change.

The program will have a Math4CCR Fellowship Programme that will support early career research in climate change and Mathematics to undertake novel research. In addition, the project will also champion the integration of Mathematical AI for Climate Action into existing University curricula. Other partners include the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), the University of Nairobi, the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) at the University of Cape Town, and the University of Edinburgh.

Dr. Agevi will also lead the mapping of stakeholders for Stakeholder Mapping for Scaling Community-Based Data Collection on Intra-Urban Heat Hazards in Developing Countries, with a focus on Nairobi-Kenya, Kigali-Rwanda, and Addis Ababa-Ethiopia. This is supported by the World Resources Institute (WRI).  The mapping will seek to establish a database of key partners who can reliably support sensor deployment, support data collection, and drive community engagement to mitigate intra-urban heat.

By Dr. Lydia Anyonje