PhD opportunity: sustainable aquaculture for food and nutrition security in East Africa: PhD Application deadline: 4th Sept | Start date: Feb 2023 | Location: UEA School of International Development
Aquatic foods have great potential for food and nutrition security for East Africa’s rapidly rising population. However, fish stocks in its numerous lakes are rapidly depleting, and aquaculture is poorly regulated, leading to environmental problems and fish diseases.
The Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development offers a PhD studentship to examine the conditions for sustainable, nutritionally-centred aquaculture in the Lake Victoria Basin of East Africa. The studentship covers a full bursary and tuition fees (home or international).
PhD research importance: Aquatic foods have great potential for food and nutrition security for East Africa’s rapidly rising population. However, fish stocks in its numerous lakes are rapidly depleting, and aquaculture is poorly regulated, leading to environmental problems and fish diseases.
The Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development offers a PhD studentship to examine the conditions for sustainable, nutritionally-centred aquaculture in the Lake Victoria Basin of East Africa.
Research area
The PhD project will focus on:
- Livelihoods and nutritional needs of communities around Lake Victoria in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Since men and women’s involvement in aquaculture in the region is markedly different, a gender analysis will be central.
- Implications for fish breeding goals of the socio-economic research in terms of nutrition, marketability, farming methods, consumer preference, resilience to diseases and environmental conditions.
- Environmental and animal health implications of current aquaculture, and implications for governance, for instance through appropriate zoning, or food safety implications.
PhD supervisory team and expertise
The supervisory team consists of researchers at the School of International Development (DEV) at the University of East Anglia, and the Earlham Institute (EI).
- Nitya Rao, Professor of Gender and Development (DEV), brings expertise in gender analysis in the context of food and nutrition security.
- Johanna Forster, Associate Professor in Environment and International Development (DEV), brings interdisciplinary research expertise in fisheries governance, livelihoods and food security.
- Wilfried Haerty, Group Leader (EI), is an expert on genomics for understanding the genetic basis of fish traits that will improve their resilience and marketability in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Who should apply
Candidates should hold a first degree (2:1 or above) and a Masters in an interdisciplinary course of study such as natural resource management, development studies, environmental studies, as well as a strong affinity with fisheries and aquaculture in food systems.
Additional details
This PhD project is funded by the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development. The studentship is funded for 3 years and comprise of tuition fees and an annual stipend of £16,062. The studentship covers a full bursary and tuition fees (home or international).
If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please find more details below, including how to apply.
PhD Application deadline: 4th Sept 2022