We invite applications from early career African researchers from across Africa to participate in a five-day workshop on participatory action research methods, focused on issues related to climate resilience and sustainability in Africa. The workshop is funded by the Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund.
Climate resilience and sustainability research in Africa is growing across disciplines, from technological innovations to community-based adaptation strategies. However, most climate studies rely on traditional research methods like data modelling, surveys and interviews. While valuable, these methods often fail to capture the complex emotions and lived experiences of those most affected by climate change. Innovative methods offer an important platform to amplify the voices and experiences of those communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts who are often excluded from both policy decision-making processes and traditional research methods. Despite the value of these approaches, African universities rarely offer training in them, making it hard for early-career researchers to use them in their work.
We are hosting a five-day workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, to train 15 African early career researchers in participatory research methods (e.g. PhotoVoice, Storytelling, WhatsApp diaries). The workshop will be hands-on and practical, including a site visit where participants can apply what they learn in a real-world setting as well as the opportunity to present your research. The workshop is designed around a mentorship structure where participants will be grouped with a mentor who will meet with them before, during and after the workshop to help participants set research goals, build connections and apply the training to their own research.
Selected participants will be expected to participate in the following activities:
- Two online pre-workshop group sessions with a mentor;
- Five day, face-to face workshop in Cape Town, South Africa (March 2026); and
- Two 1-on-1 follow-up meetings with your mentor in the months after the workshop.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- Be an early-career African researcher (currently pursuing a PhD or within seven years of completing a PhD, excluding any career breaks – e.g. due to caring responsibilities)
- Be based at an African institution of higher education or research
- Be working on a topic related to climate change or sustainability in Africa
- Be trained in or working within the social sciences
- Demonstrate how they currently use or plan to use innovative qualitative research methods in their work (e.g. PhotoVoice, storytelling, WhatsApp diaries, Participatory mapping)
Application requirements:
- Brief Research Summary (max 200 words): A concise overview of the research you are working on (or plan to develop). Please note this must be social science research related to climate change or sustainability in Africa.
- Brief motivation statement (max 200 words): A concise statement outlining why you and your research are suitable for this workshop opportunity (i.e. why will your research and your career trajectory benefit from participatory research methods training?).
- Complete an online questionnaire that includes information about:
- Educational background
- Current role and institutional affiliation
- Relevant research or field experience
- Any previous training or exposure to qualitative and participatory methods
- Support Letter (optional but encouraged)
A short letter of support from your supervisor or colleague confirming your suitability for the workshop and your ability to attend all required sessions, including travel to Cape Town, South Africa.
The working language of the workshops will be English. Participant selection will consider gender and geographic balance, as well as the strength of applicants’ motivation statements. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for all selected participants to attend the in-person workshop in Cape Town.
The deadline for submissions is 29 August 2025.
Submit your application via this link.
If you have any queries, please contact Christina Culwick Fatti (cculwickfatti@uwc.ac.za).
