Documentation of the Impacts of ACCFP Fellows on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Africa since Inception
Project Duration: July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016
Donor: Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA), START Secretariat in Africa
Contacts: Dr. Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director, ATPS
Email: executivedirector@atpsnet.org
Principal Investigator: Ernest Acheampong
Project Description/ Background
The study presents an analysis of the impact of the African Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP) program as reported by the Fellows in their contribution to climate science, education and policy development for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa. The African Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP) is a cutting-edge capacity building fellowship opportunity that seeks to strengthen capacities of early to mid-career African professionals to advance scientific knowledge that can inform climate adaptation planning and policy in Africa. Fellows of the program represent a cadre of climate change specialists who are conducting and promoting climate change research, education and policy to support Africa’s efforts in coping with climate variability and change, and reducing the vulnerability of the continent. Since the inception of the program in 2008, around 120 ACCFP Fellows have been matched with universities, research centers, and other host institutions across Africa where they have collaborated with mentors and supervisors to implement inpidually designed innovative projects. The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) in partnership with the Institute of Resource Assessment at the University of Dar Es Salaam (IRA-UDSM) is conducting a study to assess the impacts of ACCFP Fellows on climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in Africa since inception of the ACCFP program with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.
Project Aim
This study presents an analysis of the impact of the ACCFP program as reported by Fellows in their contribution to the climate science, education and policy development for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa. Specifically, the proposed work seeks to:
- Assess the contribution of fellows to climate science and policy at various levels
- Assess the impact of ACCFP fellowship on the career development of fellow
- Assess the strength, weakness and opportunities for improvement in the ACCFP programme
Approach
The study will be conducted through an on-line questionnaire survey and analysis of background literature, combining both objective and subjective measures of impact. The content of the questionnaire will be guided by selected key indicators for impact analysis including: (1) socio-biographical backgrounds of Fellows, (2) educational backgrounds of Fellows, (3) employment and career progression, (4) Key development focus areas of Fellows, (5) Fellows’ Outputs and (6) Fellows impact satisfaction.
Expected Outputs
The expected output of the project will be a detailed and comprehensive technical report on the research findings.