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This website highlights world-leading research carried out with co-investigators and other stakeholders from across the African continent.

Climate Science for Resilience: Tropical Weather Systems Research

The University of Leeds is internationally recognised for its pioneering research into tropical weather systems and climate resilience. This work has earned the Queen’s Anniversary Prize—the UK’s highest accolade for universities—highlighting its life-saving impact across Africa and the Global South.

Environmental Science for Sustainability: Congo Basin Research

The Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest and a vital carbon store. Leeds researchers have worked in close partnership with African scientists and institutions for over two decades to understand and protect this vast ecosystem. Their collaborative efforts have led to major scientific discoveries, including the mapping of the world’s largest tropical peatland in 2017, and continue to inform global climate and conservation policy.

Space Science for Development: Radio Astronomy in Africa

The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) is a transformative initiative that uses space science to build high-tech skills, drive innovation, and support sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa. Since its launch in 2015, DARA has trained over 300 students in eight African countries, with a growing focus on data science, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration.

This research is conducted from a breadth of disciplinary perspectives which are combined to deliver innovative, impactful solutions in different countries, including in the UK.

The projects also aim to close the gap between the role of researcher and researched. The research is not about or for others, it is conducted with them. It is built on co-creation of research in a partnership with people on the ground, where their knowledge of wider context, and practices, are part of the solution.

Many of the collaborations include an element of capacity strengthening, either through training a next generation of researchers, or through professional development. In turn, this provides a better understanding for innovative education and requirements beyond the usual South-North model.

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Thinking about security at Africa Week 2025

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