The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana, in partnership with Imperial College London’s Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI), successfully hosted the fourth edition of the Imperial–AIMS Global Fellows Programme (GFP) 2026, bringing together doctoral researchers from leading institutions to develop innovative solutions to one of the most pressing challenges facing cities today: the impacts of extreme heat driven by climate change.

Held from 1–5 June 2026, the programme convened 40 doctoral researchers from Imperial College London, AIMS, the University of Ghana, and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) for an intensive interdisciplinary experience designed to foster collaboration, innovation and real-world problem-solving.

This year’s programme focused on the theme “Addressing Heat-Driven Consequences of Climate Change in Cities,” challenging participants to develop practical and scalable solutions that can enhance urban resilience across Africa and beyond.

The week-long programme commenced with an introduction from Programme Co-Directors Dr. Helal Ahmed and Dr. Angela Tabiri, alongside the wider facilitation team. Fellows participated in structured networking sessions, team-building exercises and collaborative activities aimed at strengthening interdisciplinary connections and creating a foundation for effective teamwork.

Participants also engaged in a series of expert-led discussions featuring Dr. Portia Adade Williams, Dr. Frederick Otu-Larbi, Dr. Mouhamadou Bamba Sylla, and Mr. Augustine Owusu-Ansah. Their presentations provided valuable insights into climate science, urban development and resilience strategies, helping fellows identify critical challenges and opportunities within the urban climate landscape.

A key highlight of the programme was a learning visit to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), where participants gained first-hand exposure to urban governance structures and climate-related policy decision-making. Fellows also visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, where they explored themes of leadership, nation-building and sustainable development.

As the programme progressed, teams transitioned from problem identification to solution design. Through facilitated workshops on creative thinking, innovation and communication, participants developed and refined project concepts addressing urban heat challenges. Sessions on presentation skills and academic career development further enriched the experience, equipping fellows with tools to communicate complex ideas effectively and navigate future research careers.

The final stages of the programme saw teams engage in rigorous project development and pitch preparation. Through multiple rounds of feedback from coaches and peers, participants strengthened their proposals, sharpened their messaging and aligned their solutions with impact-oriented evaluation criteria.

The programme culminated in a highly competitive accelerator challenge, where five teams presented their projects before a distinguished panel comprising Dr. Prince Koree Osei, Centre President of AIMS Ghana; Prof. Majid Ezzati, Academic Director at Imperial Global Ghana and Ms. Rhoda Nana Safowa, External Relations and Public Engagement Manager at AIMS Ghana.

Following a series of compelling presentations and robust question-and-answer sessions, Team PUMCLID emerged as the overall winner with their project titled “Comprehensive Early Warning System: Act Beyond the Warning.” The team’s solution addressed the growing threat of extreme heat in urban centres such as Accra through a people-centred approach that combines enhanced early warning systems with practical interventions, including solar-powered cooling shelters and an electricity-free wearable cooling device. The project also emphasized stakeholder engagement and effective communication to ensure that warnings lead to timely and life-saving action.

The Popular Choice Award was presented to Team MiniForest for their project, “An Integrated Natural Shading and Heat Monitoring/Warning System.” The solution proposed the integration of small-scale urban afforestation initiatives with heat and air-quality monitoring systems to support vulnerable communities and improve urban living conditions.
Reflecting on the success of the programme, the Global Fellows Programme once again demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex global challenges. By bringing together emerging researchers from diverse disciplines and institutions, the programme continues to nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers committed to building sustainable and climate-resilient futures.

A closing evening of food, music and games brought the 2026 edition to an end, marking both the conclusion of an inspiring week and the start of impactful ideas aimed at shaping climate resilience.