On 9th March 2021, our More than Maps team delivered a workshop on the role of social sciences in climate change adaptation at the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF). SOTSEF is the University of Southampton’s annual award-winning science festival which showcases word-class research in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) to the public.…
Month: March 2021
Dr Thierry Tonon Podcast
“It is surprising how little is known about the compounds that are available within Sargassum biomass. We are still working to see how to valorise this biomass to create benefits for the Caribbean and West Africa. Over the next two years, we need to better understand whether these Sargassum blooms are going to continue –…
Dr. Philip-Neri Jayson-Quashigah
“Sargassum is really affecting livelihoods of poorer communities along the coast of Ghana. When there is an abundance of Sargasum, fishers have been prevented from fishing, or have found that they only bring back seaweed, not fish. This creates a really hard time for fishers who have no other livelihood options. In the next couple…
Prof Kwasi Appeaning Addo Podcast
“yet there is a huge knowledge gap around the magnitude, and impacts of sargassum on coastal West Africa. Over the next two years we will be looking at how sargassum is affecting the livelihoods of the poorest coastal communities and how sargassum affects the artisanal fishing industry. I am also keen to develop partnerships to…
Prof Jadu Dash Podcast
“There is a lot of work using satellite imagery to monitor Sargassum. We are exploring opportunities from using a variety of different algorithms to better track Sargassum. I am really excited about developing a Sargassum early warning system for Jamaica, which we will co-develop with affected communities. We will use information from satellites and combine…
Ms Bethia Thomas Podcast
“I am most interested in the SARTRAC theme of transformational adaptation; using sargassum, that is currently viewed as a threat to livelihoods, to generate benefits for the poor, in developing countries in the Caribbean and West Africa. This makes me particularly excited as I am from the Caribbean myself. I am excited about our planned…
UK-based sargassum researchers
With a view to exploring the possibility of a network of proximate researchers who are focussing on sargassum, members of the SARTRAC team have been meeting with other sargassum researchers in the UK. In January and February 2021, meetings were held with three teams. Nottingham University (Prof Giles Foody and Dr Bathsheba de la Barreda…