AIMS-Imperial Global Fellows Programme – Synergizing Efforts for Healthy and Sustainable Cities

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) will host the second bi-lateral Global Fellows Programme in partnership with Imperial College London. The programme will take place on 11 –15 November 2024 in Accra, Ghana, hosted by AIMS Ghana.

In the current scientific environment, international and interdisciplinary collaborations and networking are the basis for developing successful projects. In a competitive research environment, funding is increasingly drawn to interdisciplinary, collaborative research with partners from around the world. The modern researcher requires both excellence in research and professional skills and competencies.

This exciting programme is designed to facilitate participants to actively focus on the development of these professional skills and competencies. Approximately 40 doctoral researchers from AIMS, the University of Ghana and Imperial will work together to develop professional, research, and collaborative skills as well as the intercultural awareness that is required to establish and continue successful collaborations.

During this five-day programme, participants will work in interdisciplinary and international groups, assisted by a coach from one of the partner institutions. During the programme, participants will enhance:

• Their ability to work collaboratively on research ideas
• Their ability to network and communicate effectively and with impact in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams
• Their intercultural and international competency and awareness
• Their creativity to develop collaborative research ideas
• Their appreciation of research in international institution

Participants will also have the opportunity to apply those skills and competencies to develop creative innovations addressing global challenges under the programme theme ‘Synergizing Efforts for Healthy and Sustainable Cities’.

The concept of Healthy Cities, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, focuses on transforming urban spaces into sustainable, resilient communities that prioritise the well-being of their inhabitants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy city continuously enhances its physical and social structures, augmenting community resources to support mutual well-being and allow individuals to achieve their fullest potential. This vision encompasses a broad spectrum of initiatives, from reducing pollution and increasing green spaces to improving waste management. It also emphasises innovations in urban health, such as ensuring access to nutritious food, mental health services, and fitness facilities, alongside leveraging advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) for monitoring air quality, noise levels, and developing efficient public transportation systems to cut down emissions. These efforts are not only pivotal in advancing public health but also in addressing climate change, enhancing urban resilience to extreme weather events, and securing sustainable food and water supplies.

Participants are thus expected to dive deep into these challenges, exploring and devising innovative solutions that promote sustainability and health in urban settings. The intersection of SDG 11 with other SDGs such as 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land) highlights the interdisciplinary nature of creating healthy urban environments. Participants are encouraged to think holistically, considering how advancements in urban planning, technology, and social policy can collectively foster environments where cities not only grow more sustainable but also become havens that nurture the health and potential of all their residents.

Doctoral candidates from any discipline are invited to apply to this 5-day professional development course: the AIMS-Imperial Global Fellows Programme: ‘Synergizing Efforts for Healthy and Sustainable Cities’.

This is a chance to challenge yourself outside of your normal working environment, meet people from other disciplines and cultures, and have fun! 

Student Experiences: 

‘The GFP has been one of the highlights of my time as a PhD student. Meeting new people, getting of my comfort zone, and working on a project in a different research field has been a rewarding experience that, in my opinion, all PhD students should try to experience.’

‘Knowing is not enough. We must apply.’

‘I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about other cultures, develop their professional skills and have fun whilst doing it!’

‘The GFP was a great avenue to meet fellow PhD students in an interdisciplinary environment to work on a project not necessarily in your field.’

You can read student experiences of previous Global Fellows Programmes on this webpage.  

Any additional queries not answered in webpages, please contact Laura Bulmer & Beth Yates