Hello All, As an African scientist, I am painfully aware of the issues raised in these postings. In particular, I feel that "the problem of recapitulating colonialism through science" is very real. Is any one on the list aware of any scholarly work that has looked into this issue in Africa? As Nathan correctly says, there are major [a majority perhaps?], long-term studies that only involve Africans in menial activities of their projects. There are many well-meaning scientists working in Africa from the west and they should endeavor to change this.
Best, David --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I agree with the below.$A0 Research tourism leaves very little viable$A0i.e. sustainable$A0work behind, and can cause damage to ecosystems (as was seen with the Kihansi Spray Toad Debacle in Tanzania where researchers from abroad, visiting many world sites with amphibian demise carried in the virus on their boots, for the final wipe-out) and to abandonment of the care aand management of ecologically sensitive areas by local populations (such as the Serengeti Plains where populations of wildebeest, wild dogs, etc. have recentlycrashed).$A0 $A0 Fulbright Scholarships might give a way to work in a university and be part of the training people$A0in Africa$A0to set the priorities and do the research. --- On Thu, 12/4/08, Charlie Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Charlie Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: FW: [ECOLOG-L] Perspectives on research in Africa To: "Anne Outwater" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 7:42 PM FYI Charlie All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. - Arthur Shopenhauer (1788-1860) -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nathan Brouwer Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 11:02 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Perspectives on research in Africa Some organizations that offer at least small grants that I think could be used in Africa are: http://www.foc-uk.com/ http://www.bou.org.uk/bouresg.htm As important as funding issues in working in Africa are logistical and cultural ones. Africa has perhaps the lowest African scientist to western scientist ratio in the world. This limits opportunities for collaboration with nationals, and also creates the problem of recapitulating colonialism through science. I know of major, long-term wildlife studies that do not incorporate any African's except as camp guards. Conservation, wildlife management, agriculture, and sustainability will not go far if locals are not invested in the research. There is an African Academy of Science and also numerous journals published in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. --- end of quote ---
