Graduate Program: Research Associate
Supervisor: Dr. Rob Kozak
Region of Interest: Malawi, Ghana, Ethiopia
Tags: Economic DevelopmentHIVPoverty AlleviationSocio-EconomicsSustainable Forest Management
Research Summary
The livelihoods of millions of people in rural, Sub Saharan Africa are made more difficult by extreme rural poverty, a reliance on often poorly-managed forest resources, and a changing climate. The majority of people in Sub Saharan Africa rely on firewood for their energy needs, and this region is also heavily impacted by the devastating and long-term effects of HIV.
AFRICAD (the Africa Forests Research Initiative on Conservation and Development) works in Africa’s forested environments to alleviate poverty and build livelihoods. AFRICAD’s researchers conduct policy-relevant research in four domains: dynamics of human health in forest environments; livelihoods and economic development; conservation and development; and justice, rights and conflict. In Malawi, Joleen assesses the interlinkages between HIV/AIDS and dependence on important forest products. In Ghana and Ethiopia, Joleen is part of an international consortium assessing the socio-economic implications of Jatropha curcas, a biofuel tree.
What is the relevance of your research?
AFRICAD’ researchers conduct policy-relevant research that addresses poverty alleviation, sustainable livelihoods, and forest conservation. They seek to identify and implement long-term, sustainable solutions that can enable successful conservation and development outcomes by ensuring that research is timely and policy-relevant. They work in partnership with other research institutes, ENGOs, civil society, local communities, and/or local governments already active on the ground.