Presentation Title: Role of Indigenous Mbororo Women In Climate Change Adaptation: Insights Fron the North West Region, Cameroon
Can you tell us about your research field and why you chose this area?
My research field is climate studies, particularly climate change adaptation and mitigation, climate change communication and policies. For the past few years, I have been working on Indigenous knowledge systems and on how they can be mainstream into policies.
My choice of this topic lies on my experiences with the Mbororo pastoralists of the western highlands of Cameroon. Their traditional values discriminate against women and girl children. This motivated me to examine their vulnerabilities to climatic aberrations under the lens of eco-feminism theory.
What does the Young African Scholars Symposium mean to you, and why did you decide to apply? What are your expectations for this event ?
The Symposium for Young Researchers presents a valuable opportunity for me to engage in an international conference and foster collaboration with fellow young researchers. One aspect of the program that I particularly value is the mentoring component. This aspect has greatly aided me not only in navigating the process of writing a scientific paper with fewer difficulties but also in crafting a high-quality article.
My expectations for the symposium are as follows:
In the field of climatology, we encounter challenges related to data collection, particularly concerning climatic parameters. One prevalent issue among young researchers in Africa is the lack of structured support for scientific writing, coupled with a scarcity of platforms for knowledge sharing.
Another significant hurdle is the publication of research articles. Many journals in the region are not available online, resulting in limited visibility for research findings. Additionally, there is a dearth of collaboration among researchers, hindering the production of impactful research. Moreover, the limited funding opportunities further exacerbate these challenges, impeding the creation of high-impact research outputs.
How do you think the Symposium for Young African Researchers can help address some of these challenges? What solutions or opportunities do you think it could provide for Young Researchers like you?
The Young African Scholar Symposium presents a promising solution to several of these challenges. However, it's essential to recognize that collaboration initiated during the conference should extend beyond its duration. We anticipate the establishment of more opportunities and enhanced knowledge-sharing platforms to sustain the momentum gained.
Moreover, I suggest fostering ongoing scientific collaboration, including joint publication endeavors between researchers and their mentors. Additionally, creating subgroups within the Young African Researchers network, focusing on related fields, would facilitate efficient knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Furthermore, Young African Researchers should actively pursue academic funding opportunities that can be leveraged into research grants. This initiative would incentivize researchers to conduct comprehensive fieldwork and produce high-quality research papers.
What are your future prospects in your research field and as a young researcher in Africa ?
I am looking to more scientific publications and participation in knowledge sharing platforms that can influence decision making in the domain of climate change.
Can you give us an overview of your presentation during the Symposium and explain why attendees should come to listen to you ? What do you hope to convey or share with them ?
This presentation provides a focused examination that intertwines eco-feminism and Indigeneity in the context of climate change adaptation. Given the current prominence of climate change in contemporary discourse, this topic holds considerable relevance and promises to engage the audience effectively.
Moreover, the inclusion of visual aids such as graphics and images in the PowerPoint presentation will enhance its demonstrative value, making it more accessible and compelling to a wider audience.
As such, this presentation appeals to a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, who will find valuable insights and perspectives within its content.