GCDC Summer Newsletter 2021 by GCDC Update

GCDC Termly Update Summer 2021

In this issue: • The perks of peer review • GCDC for mammal conservation in Indonesia • Brazil footprint 0.0 Aerial view of the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil. © Neil Palmer

Summer update

message from Dr Beth Breeze GCDC director

“At the risk of a steep decline from my last newsletter message which began by quoting Charles Dickens, and at an even greater risk of showing my age, the words that come to mind as I sit down to write this update in the Summer of 2021 come from the Trinidadian-English pop singer Billy Ocean. His 1985 hit “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” reached no 1 in the UK pop charts and has since become the mantra of many sports teams and motivational gurus. But I can honestly think of no better way to sum up the strength and resilience shown by our talented doctoral students as the months have worn on. The end of the pandemic and associated restrictions affecting their studies and personal lives has felt tantalising close and yet never attained throughout this most unusual of academic years. Yet they have conducted to plan their fieldwork and experiments, collect their data, write up their findings, and participate as fully as conditions allow in the life of the university. Well done to them all – we knew we had recruited exceptionally talented scholars, and now we know they are also exceptionally resilient and determined too. These qualities will stand them in good stead for their research careers ahead.” Read Beth’s full message: https://research.kent.ac.uk/gcdc/summer-2021-an-update-from-our-director/

What’s been happening at the GCDC? Theresa Bachmann

June 2021 Zoom ‘Hangout’ Connecting from all over the world, GCDC students of all cohorts joined Beth, Frank, and Jo in June for the last virtual GCDC ‘hangout’ of this academic year. Students particularly highlighted positive developments in terms of lab access and pandemic-related travel restrictions, with many of them sharing plans for research stays abroad coming up in the second half of this year.

Sustainable Development Reading Group Established Based on GCDC students’ input, this summer term saw the creation of an interdisciplinary sustainable development reading group. Interested students and staff members now gather on a monthly basis to discuss students’ work in progress as well as cross-cutting research relevant to the Agenda 2030 from a whole range of disciplines. GCDC DeputyDirector Frank Grundig joined students during the first session which dealt with Theresa’s work on citizen participation in post-war Colombia. Fieldwork remains key to the work of many GCDC researchers GCDC student Michaela Lo therefore contributed to the organisation of the virtual ‘Truth Be Told’ event run by the UoK School of Anthropology and Conservation, the Women in Conservation Canterbury Network (WCCN), and WildHub to reflect upon the challenges and sometimes traumas this can involve, particularly for women. Panellists and the audience also discussed the resources and support networks available to researchers. For further information see: https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/sac-news-events/2021/03/24/truth-betold-safety-and-support-in-the-field/

Prize at GRC Researcher Showcase First-year GCDC student Valentina Manente (School of Architecture and Planning) won the first prize in the category ‘research poster’ of this year’s GRC Researchers’ Showcase. Congratulations! Her poster, titled “The Urban Agriculture Nexus: An Investigation Into Urban Food Growing in the Barrios of Bogotá”, can be found in this issues’ map section.

Peer reviewing: a tale of two sides Huda Elsherif

Read the full article here

I was invited to perform my first peer review during a time, I too, was being reviewed. I got to experience both sides simultaneously. Researching how to produce a good review, I realised that you need to be clear, constructive and thorough; refrain from asking to be referenced; and focus on elements relevant to your field. I felt overwhelmed after first reading the article. I understood the basics of the technique the researcher used, but not enough to critique their execution of it, so I researched the method. I drew tips from the review comments I received; my reviewer told me that conclusions should

never introduce new information and a similar mistake was made by the researcher I was reviewing. My comments also included how to make the paper easier to read for anyone. A couple of months later I got the author’s response. The paper looked amazing! This experience has been positive. Though peer reviewing is seen as a service, I benefited a lot. It boosted my confidence in my ability to guide, which is important for teaching. Reading papers not specifically for my work broadened my insight and gave me new ideas. I recommend others take the leap!

Conservation Strategies for Terrestrial Mammals Margareth Romaria Pinondang

Malay tapir © Wikimedia Commons

My PhD project will investigate the conservation strategies in protecting terrestrial mammals in Sumatra and Java, Indonesia. Conservation strategy involves wide range approaches and my project will focus on protected area and an integrated peatland forest landscape. I will use existing data from previous surveys and will repeat the field survey in one study area. This project is a collaborative work, including governments, private sector, and their partners. My first chapter aims to estimate the proportion area used by Malay tapir (Tapirus indicus) in 13 protected areas in Sumatra. The result will be employed to predict their distribution across the island that the species are known to occupy. During this unprecedented time, I am optimistic to carry out my field survey in Kampar Peninsula, Riau, Sumatra, in October 2021. This is a collaborative project with Restorasi Ekosistem Riau. I will resample the area that has been surveyed in 2015, across various forest types. The objectives of this study are to understand changes in mammal communities, mammal communities in different habitats, and habitat corridors. Last, I plan to examine mammal communities in protected areas in Java using the existing data and to elucidate local community activities in the national parks. Read the full article here

The Great PhD Story- and its back up plan Shaleen Attre

micro (while visualising the flow). It is beneficial to refer to the structures and guidelines provided by Dr Strachan and Dr Barker. Logic is at the heart of it, even in unpredictable circumstances. Consolidating my original thoughts and re-organising them towards my objective, helps me from going back several paces. I am able to formulate plans, without being overwhelmed. In a Covid-19 world, as I continue to work from home, these structures Academic research has been imhave become friends who have my pacted due to the pandemic. During back. isolation, trainings and workshops have been a great benefit, enabling one to focus and reassess as plans go haywire. Back in December 2020, when I was gearing up to the second plan of my PhD research, I attended the GCDC training on “Having a back-up plan” by Dr Sabina Strachan. Having a plan-B is an excellent idea in the normal world and essential in a pandemic. I was caught in the second wave in India, with field visits cancelled, Read the full article here and having to re-work more drafts of my proposal. One of the training session’s key takeaways was the importance of focusing on a bigger picture, going from the macro to the

“Logic is at the heart of it, even in unpredictable circumstances”

Student profile Huawei Zheng

Huawei Zheng joined the GCDC in September 2018. His PhD, supervised by Professor Elena Korosteleva, examines the Eurasian Economic Union as an evolving regional actor. He reflects on this past academic year and the evolution of his research.

“My PhD is heading towards its final stage. The third year has been an intense but fruitful one. Following from the theoretical framework developed in my second year, I worked on the empirical part of my thesis. I approached three constitutive elements (identity, representation, and instrument) of an order-making actor, looking at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in details. This academic year has been important for my scholarly development. I learned how to use data-analysing software such as R and NVivo. I was also published for the first time! My master thesis was developed into a journal article and published in Cambridge Review of International Affairs. One of my empirical chapters was published by a Policy Paper funded by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.”

Read the full article https://research.kent.ac.uk/gcdc/phd-profile-huawei-zheng/

This issue’s map Global Urban Agriculture Global urban agriculture Global urban agriculture

The Urban Agriculture Nexus The Urban Agriculture Nexus an investigation on urban food growing in the barrios of Bogotá an investigation on urban food growing in the barrios of Bogotá

Valentina Manente

As cities As keepcities expanding worldwide, keep expanding worldwide, governments for sustainable governments are lookingare forlooking sustainable support suchIngrowth. In this solutions tosolutions support to such growth. this sense, urban agriculture has abecome a sense, urban agriculture has become popular topic ofboth research in the Global popular topic of research in theboth Global and theSouth. GlobalAlthough South. Although North and North the Global commonly practiced in both these areas, commonly practiced in both these areas, there has always been a stark contrast there has always been a stark contrast between the way urban agriculture has been photo credits: Karen Blakeman between the way urban agriculture has been photo credits: Karen Blakeman described and addressed in the Global described and addressed in the Global North as opposed to the Global South. Urban agriculture North as opposed to the Global South. Urban agriculture seen as not modern Namely, urban agriculture in the Global

Namely, urban the Global Northagriculture has been in identified as a socioNorth has political been identified as a socioactivity, practiced by conscious political activity, practiced consciouscommunity and well-off citizensby in gentrified and well-off gardens; citizens in community ongentrified the other hand, urban agriculture gardens; on in thethe other hand,South urban has agriculture Global been described as South a self-sustainment practice that the in the Global has been described poorest stratapractice of the population as a self-sustainment that theundertake in informal home gardens. poorest strata of the population undertake in informal home gardens.

seen as not modern

1875

How urban agriculture has been in the in Global NorthNorth How urban agriculture haspresented been presented the Global post-productivist post-productivist bottom-up bottom-up of civil to society to social/political/ environmental concerns responseresponse of civil society social/political/ environmental concerns brings together social groups brings together differentdifferent social groups contributes to people’s well being contributes to people’s well being in community located inlocated community gardensgardens done bycitizens well-off citizens done by well-off potentially gentryfying Urban agriculture as potentially gentryfying Urban agriculture as used as a marketing strategy social contestation used as a marketing strategy social contestation mostly assessed qualitatively mostly assessed qualitatively

Garden City

Garden City movement movement

1875

1900

PhDPhD Candidate: Valentina Manente Candidate: Valentina Manente Main Supervisor: Dr.Dr. Silvio Caputo Main Supervisor: Silvio Caputo University of of Kent University Kent Second Supervisor: Prof. Jaime Hernández-García Second Supervisor: Prof. Jaime Hernández-García Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Urban agriculture through history the Urban agriculture through history in in the Global North Global South Global North andand thethe Global South

Urban agriculture Urban agriculture for self-sustainment Post-productivist for self-sustainment Post-productivist urban agriculture

urban agriculture

Victory Gardens

Urban agriculture Urbanfor agriculture self-sustainment

Urban agriculture

for self-sustainment

1925

1950

1975

2000

1975

2000

Urban as a agriculture middle-class as lifestyle a middle-class lifestyle

2025

How urban agriculture has been presented in the Global South productivist

How urban agriculture has been presented in the Global South top-down productivist seen as a way of stabilizing livelihoods done by the poorest strata oftop-down the population seen as athrough way of direct stabilizing livelihoods provides self-sustainment consumption or trade done by the poorest strata oflocated the population in backyards provides self-sustainment through consumption trade donedirect by migrants from theorcountryside located in backyards seen as a temporary phase towards an ideal final scenario used to contain of slums by governments done the by expansion migrants from the countryside mostly assessed quantitatively seen as a temporary phase towards an ideal final scenario used to contain the expansion of slums by governments mostly assessed quantitatively

Literature tells us that while in the Global

North social benefits of Urban Literature tells usthe that while in the GlobalAgriculture are well documented, research in the Global North the social benefits of Urban Agriculture South is still focussed on self-sustainment are well documented, research in the Global aspects. However, within the last ten years South is still focussed on self-sustainment there have been records of changing aspects. However, within ten years dynamics in the thislast sense, which can be there haveascribed been records offactors: changing to two main dynamics in this sense, which can be ascribed to two mainitfactors: Firstly, must be noted how most

photo credits:Thomas Lohnes

literature on urban agriculture in the

Firstly, it Global must be noted howfrom most South comes the Global literature on urban agriculture the note that North. (Pinheiro & Govind,in2020) the most prolific authors this subject are Global South comes from the onGlobal all from in the note Globalthat North, which North. (Pinheiro & institutions Govind, 2020) suggests thaton thethis information gathered in the most prolific authors subject are this research is coming fromwhich a Westernised all from institutions in the Global North, perspective; this is confirmed suggests that the information gathered also in through of (Dobele & Zvirbule, 2020), this researchthe is findings coming from a Westernised who observed how countries of the Global perspective; this is confirmed also through North are overly represented in academic the findings of (Dobele & Zvirbule, 2020), production on urban agriculture. Moreover, who observed how countries of the Global (Zezza & Tasciotti, 2010), (Poulsen et al., North are overly in academic 2015) represented and (Francesco Orsini et al., 2013) production on urban agriculture. Moreover, report the lack of systematic research for low(Zezza & Tasciotti, 2010), (Poulsen al., income countries, which alsoetinfluences how 2015) and (Francesco 2013) effectively theOrsini impactetofal., urban agriculture is report the lack of systematic research assessed in those areas for lowincome countries, which also influences how effectively the impact of urban is Secondly, the gap agriculture between Global North assessed in and thoseGlobal areas South is closing because

What is the role of urban agriculture in the What is the role of sustainable development urban agriculture in the global cities? sustainableofdevelopment The aim of this research is to assess the sustainability of urban agriculture. To do so, we are using the FEW meter, which The aim of this research to assess the measures the nexus between is water and energy sustainability urban agriculture. consumption, foodofproduction and social To do so, we are using the FEW meter, which benefits of urban agriculture.

of global cities?

measures the nexus between water and energy consumption, food production and social benefits of urban agriculture.

of a societal change; in fact, developing

countries are gradually better Secondly, the gap between Global achieving North conditions and urban agriculture is and Globalliving South is closing because transitioning an emergency of a societal change; infrom fact,being developing measure to a achieving valuable asset of the built countries are gradually better environment. Conversely, the Global North living conditions and urban agriculture is is facing a period of crisis connected to transitioning from being an emergency the market crash of 2008, therefore cities measure to a valuable asset of the built are adopting strategies to counteract this environment.sudden Conversely, Global North state of the vulnerability. is facing a period of crisis connected to the market From crashthese of 2008, therefore observations wecities can infer that are adopting to counteract thisa defined westrategies can no longer talk about sudden statescenario of vulnerability. neatly distinguishing between Global North and Global South. It can be

From these concluded observations infer ways that in which thatwe thecan various individuals practice urban we can nocommunities longer talkand about a defined agriculture are only partially dependent on scenario neatly distinguishing between their geographic locationIt and Global North and Global South. can that be there are somethe recurring are common to concluded that variousthemes ways that in which Global North and the Global South; communitiesboth andthe individuals practice urban in particular, urban dependent agriculture fulfils agriculture are only partially on an array of functions that range from food-provision to their geographic location and that there are economic support, community improvement, some recurring themes that are common to individual well-being and knowledge building. both the Global North and the Global South; It becomes clear that current research in particular,must urbanfocus agriculture fulfils an the array on estimating impacts of of functions that range from food-provision to urban agriculture at a multi-dimensional economic support, community improvement, level to fully appraise the contributions individual well-being and knowledge building. global of this practice to contemporary It becomescities. clear that current research must focus on estimating the impacts of urban agriculture at a multi-dimensional Urban Agriculture Nexus level to fully appraise the contributions of this practice to contemporary global cities.

Bogotá

Our case study for this research is Bogotá (Colombia), which is located in the Global South.

FOOD ENERGY WATER METER

Our case study for this research is Bogotá (Colombia), which is located in the Global South.

FOODTheENERGY WATER FEW-meter methodology models the resource flows of urban agriculture, using case studies located in Europe and the METER US. It is a platform to collect, analyse, and share data about the food, energy,

The FEW-meter methodology models the and water impacts of urban gardens and resource farms. flows of urban agriculture, using It provides a deeper understanding case studies located in Europe and theSocial of the Food-Water-Energy and US. It is aNexus platform to collect, analyse, in relation to urban metabolisms and sharethrough data about the food,ofenergy, the collection qualitative and and waterquantitative impacts ofdata. urban gardens and farms. It provides a deeper understanding of the Food-Water-Energy and Social Nexus in relation to urban metabolisms through the collection of qualitative and quantitative data.

Quantitative methods Qualitative methods

The next step of this project will be studying thenext multi-dimensional The step of this contributions of urban project will be studying in Bogotá. theagriculture multi-dimensional

contributions of urban agriculture in Bogotá.

Quantitative methods Qualitative methods 8

Aims Assessing urban agriculture’s contribution to the resilience of a city Innovation Revealing the multi-dimensional value of urban agriculture Deliverables Methodology for assessing urban agriculture Indicators Aims Publications Assessing agriculture’s Policyurban making guidance contribution to the resilience of a city

Innovation

GCDC Training and Events Brazil Footprint 0.0 Jo Stoner

The GCDC are proud to have supported a series of events focused on climate change, held in association with the Barbican, London, and the University of Kent’s Centre for Indigenous and Settler Colonial Studies. Brazil Footprint 0.0 has been curated by GCDC post-doctoral researcher Dr Francesca Cavallo, from the School of Arts. Brazil Footprint 0.0 was a weeklong festival of online events that explored inequalities created by climate change in Brazil, with a

particular focus on the country’s indigenous communities. These events looked at how artists and art institutions are promoting climate justice, in an environment already experiencing the effects of rising global temperatures. The programme included film screenings (“Have You Ever Seen a River Stop?”), artist Q&As (“Poetics of Resilience: A Live Conversation”), and conversations with indigenous curators (“Naine Terena in conversation with Francesca Laura Cavallo”), to consider how art can address climate change, and the importance of indigenous knowledge. UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and the UN Convention for Climate Change is scheduled to meet in November 2021 to decide on firm political commitments to reduce carbon emissions. It is in this context that Brazil is already feeling the impact of climate change, exacerbated by deforestation, corruption, exploitation of natural resources, and failing infrastructure. The current Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, is also an

outspoken climate change denier. The events and artists showcased by the festival aimed to show the role of Brazil in the global effort to reduce climate change, and the ways countries such as the UK can support this. Francesca also benefitted from the University’s Summer Vacation Research Competition, and worked with Kent research assistant Carlos

Valero to produce a video essay about this project. Keep an eye on the GCDC webpages, where we will be sharing a link to this video essay, which will show the highlights of the festival alongside actions for effectively reducing climate change. Our congratulations go to Francesca on creating a successful and inspiring week of activities.

Connect with us Read about our academic staff affiliates at https://research.kent.ac.uk/gcdc/gcdc-affiliates/academic-staff-affiliates/

Call for interest Does your research align with Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) aims and challenge areas? Find out more at https://research.kent.ac.uk/gcdc/gcdc-affiliates/

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