Mentoring Research Fellow in Food Systems Research on Malawi

CGD warmly welcomes Dr. Bertha Bangara-Chikadza (pictured top left) to the University of Leeds. She is one of 20 early career research fellows (ECRFs) being mentored as part of the Food Systems Research Networks for Africa (FSNet-Africa) project, which seeks to strengthen food systems research capabilities and the translation of evidence into implementable policy solutions and practical interventions in support of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for Africa. She is joining us until December 2022.

Bertha is a Lecturer at the Applied Studies Department - Business Studies Section, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). She will be mentored by CGD Co-Director Emma-Louise Anderson (picture bottom right) and Dr Freda Elikplim Asem (pictured bottom left) – Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, University of Ghana. They will be working with an CISANET as an impact partner in Malawi. This mentoring programme is important in terms of building the capacity of the mentee, the co-mentors and their institutions. It also is important for strengthening the partnerships of CGD and with the African academic and impact partners.

Hear more from Bertha about these opportunities here:

FSNet-Africa will strengthen food systems research capabilities and the translation of evidence through leading systems analysis research on climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive and poverty-reducing food system solutions designed and implemented in partnership with relevant food systems stakeholders. The three lead partners – the University of Pretoria (UP) (host of the ARUA CoE in Food Security), the University of Leeds (UoL) and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) (co-leads of the GCRF-AFRICAP programme) – have been selected, based on their specific strengths in food systems research as well as their current partnerships and networks with higher education and research institutions, policy makers, private sector stakeholders and grass roots organisations to ensure the synergy needed to facilitate significant impacts.

FSNet-Africa will collaboratively produce context-relevant, interdisciplinary research through creating 2-year long structured opportunities to (i) conduct impact-focussed interdisciplinary research related to African food systems, (ii) build lasting research networks, and (iii) develop their skills to translate their research impactfully.