​DST-NRF CENTRE IN INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS NOTICE

Applications Now Open

 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SADC REGION

The Department of Science and Technology (DST)-National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIKS) with its hub at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, has since  2024 launched  The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Scientific Community of Practice (CoP).  The promotion of research and postgraduate training in IKS and Climate Change is one of the strategic research focus areas of the CoP. The objective is to build a critical mass of IKS human capital in the SADC region to enhance the contribution of IKS into the global pool of knowledge on climate change adaptation and mitigation for sustainable community livelihood and development.

It is on the basis  of this initiative  that  the  CIKS  is issuing a call for  postdoctoral  researchers from research and academic  institutions in the  SADC region  to contribute  to the  research  development  and postgraduate training  (Masters and  doctoral  students) in the  following  IKS and climate  change  research  areas:

(i)Local community understanding of interplay between climate and non-climate factors  on their  livelihood;

(ii)Local community sustenance and interface  of bio-cultural innovations  and modern  scientific  knowledge  systems for climate change  resilience;

(iii)bio-cultural  innovations  in  traditional agricultural systems as best  practices  and  models for sustainability  against  climate change vulnerability

(iv) Linkages between gender,  environment, and climate change in the  SADC countries

(v)The impacts of contemporary agricultural science and extension services on IKS-based climate change resilience strategies

(vi)The role of African indigenous languages and visual arts in communicating indigenous climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

(vii)Local community knowledge on indicators of climate change in their  specific  cultural and ecological areas;

(viii) Local community perceptions on the impact of  western science atmospheric weather forecasting on agricultural decision-making practices

(ix) The impact of climate change on indigenous economic systems

(x) Indigenous knowledge systems, climate change, animal and plant health

(xi) Community-based knowledge systems in the context of climate change and waste management

Tenure:  1-2 years renewable

Value of Fellowship:   US $ 20 000 per annum

Location:  University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Closing Date: The deadline for receipt of proposals is Friday, 31 March 2024

For more information contact:

Dr M Chinsamy, Research Manager

DST-NRF Centre in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIKS)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Durban

South Africa

chinsamym@ukzn.ac.za