Strengthening Academic Writing and Publishing Skills for ECRs in Madagascar: Researching the Environment, Peace and Conflict

Project overview

This two-year programme builds on existing research networks around peacebuilding, conflict transformation, gender, environment, climate change, and sustainability. It draws on expertise from Madagascar, Europe and the UK. The activities aim to create a new network of scholars supporting early career researchers in Madagascar to strengthen their research skills, academic writing, publishing and grant writing expertise.

Our focus is transdisciplinary, on social and environmental sciences. Peace and conflict studies is an emerging discipline in Madagascar. A number of scholars in anthropology, social sciences focus on this now particularly in relation to environment and conflict, and how this intersects with challenges of natural resource governance, conservation and gender equality. Priority research topics will also include conflict transformation, political transformation, climate justice and adaptation, as well as structural inequalities and interdisciplinary research. We will seek to target our call for applicants to ECRs interested in developing their research in this area.

Project objectives

Our primary objective is to enhance the academic writing proficiency of Malagasy ECRs to support the publication of their research.

We aim to create a vibrant platform and network of academics for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Through mentoring and peer support we support research capabilities, publication strategies and understanding of research ethics in Madagascar.

New skills, methodologies, networks and knowledge will help them excel in academia and contribute meaningfully to their fields.

Impact statement

Research in Madagascar is insufficiently shared, communicated and valued, at national and international levels. However, from our previous interventions we see how the research scholars engage in could contribute significantly to shaping better and more efficient policies. Supporting greater visibility of Malagasy scholars on areas of vital importance such as peace, security and the sustainable future of the country and its resources will have an impact in Madagascar and beyond.  

We have specifically chosen to draw attention to the work of students and scholars in the fields peace, security, gender, climate change, and environment. We are convinced their work will help uncover issues that would significantly help fight against poverty and create climate of peace and justice as well as building strong institutions.     

With support for the diffusion of Malagasy research, this can be used to help decision-makers shape better policies, make better decisions, and most importantly contribute positively to the economic development of the country. 

We also contribute to the local economy by supporting local businesses. Small businesses will benefit from the organization of our activities. It is one of our commitments as very often in the field of aid and development in this country, only 10% reach the local communities. We aim to challenge these kinds of practice including in academia.

In order to achieve these impact goals, we have been building strong relationships with local institutions and we will keep on working with them throughout the implementation of this project. We will work with the NGO ARAKE experienced in organising academic events and research-related activities and with the University of Antananarivo. We have a network of ECR and PhD researchers working on various topics all over Madagascar. 

Outputs

We will run two face to face 3 day workshops in Madagascar benefitting 40 ECRs, with a network of six Malagasy and international mentors. 

We will run an international launch event / BA conference in Madagascar, showcasing ECR research and local expertise on the project themes inviting donors, ministries and local civil society and INGOs.

We will host 4 webinar and hybrid events with training for our ECRs showcasing project themes inviting donors, ministries and local civil society and INGOs.

We will support our ECRs to publish in local, national and international journals within the first year of this project.