{"id":24986,"date":"2026-01-28T13:22:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/?page_id=24986"},"modified":"2026-04-10T16:27:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:27:31","slug":"ml2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/about\/events\/morselecture\/ml2026\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

2026 Bradford Morse Distinguished Lectureship & Walter Rodney Seminars<\/h1>\n

Thursday April 16th & Friday April 17th, 2026<\/p>\n

Boston University Hillel House, 213 Bay State Rd, MA 012215<\/p>\n

Free and open to the public.<\/p>\nRegister here<\/a>\n

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Conference Description<\/h2>\n
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Africa contributes less than 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it faces some of the most severe consequences of the climate crisis-from prolonged droughts and floods to mounting threats to food security, livelihoods, and physical and mental health. Most important are the impacts of climate change on the broad life support system that keeps human society going: biodiversity, which is being rapidly quenched by shorter-term human needs and desires. The predominant human experiencers and participants in biodiversity live around Earth\u2019s middle-the developing Global South, while most of the world\u2019s wealth has been drained to earlier-developing nations. The choreography of development has generated massive inequities across the globe. The continent of Africa is exemplary of these inequities, both between its shores, and in comparison, to the Global North. These inequities underscore a moral and intellectual imperative: to center Africa in global climate conversations and to advance far reaching interdisciplinary solutions rooted in the continent\u2019s realities and knowledge systems. The Climate Change and Tomorrow\u2019s Africa <\/i>conference seeks to engage with crucial themes and questions across disciplines, fostering dialogue that bridges biological science, environmental science and ecology, social policy, medicine, public health, economics, and the humanities.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Organized around interconnected subthemes \u2013 Hydrological Change, Habitat Degradation, Human Livelihood and Productivity, Climate Change Impact on Energy, and Human and Ecosystem Health – the conference will explore how climate change is impacting environments and communities, the structural and individual challenges in addressing the crisis, and what can be done to secure sustainable futures. Throughout the sessions, participants will discuss themes such as hydrological change, ecosystems transformations, climate change threats to energy, food security, economy and livelihoods, climate – public health nexus, and collaborative solutions and policies – emphasizing the deep interdependence of social and ecological systems.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Conference Program<\/h2>\n

Location<\/strong>: All sessions will be held at Boston University, Hillel House, 213 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215. Please check the detailed conference program for specific room numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Day 1 – Thursday April 16th, 2026<\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/h3>\n

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Time<\/strong><\/td>\nSession<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8:30-9:00 AM<\/td>\nRegistration, networking, breakfast. Hillel House, 4th floor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9:00-9:15 AM<\/td>\nWelcome and opening remarks – Room 415<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Nimi Wariboko, African Studies Center Director<\/p>\n

Prof. Les Kaufman, Professor of Biology, African Studies Center Advisory Board Member<\/p>\n

Dr. John Okechi, Post doctoral associate, Kaufman laboratory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

9:15-10:45 AM<\/td>\n\n
Panel Session 1: Climate Resilience in Africa through Technology, Ecosystem Stewardship, and Sustainability – Room 415<\/b><\/div>\n
Session 1\u00a0collectively explores how climate change is transforming environmental and socio-economic systems in Africa, and how integrated, technology-enabled, and community-informed strategies can enhance resilience and sustainability.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Chair<\/strong>: Prof. Tsitsi Musasike, Boston University<\/a><\/p>\n

Speakers:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Charles Manyara, Radford University, VA.<\/p>\n

\u00a0“Mapping Risk, Building Resilience: Geospatial Approaches to Flood Hazard Mitigation in<\/strong> Africa”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Flooding is one of Africa\u2019s most pervasive climate-related hazards, intensified by shifting rainfall patterns, land-use change, and insufficient risk-reduction infrastructure. This presentation demonstrates how geospatial technologies – particularly GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological modeling – can enhance flood hazard mitigation and strengthen community resilience. Drawing on research and case studies from East Africa, it highlights the integration of satellite-derived rainfall estimates, high-resolution elevation models, and land-cover analyses to identify flood-prone areas, assess exposure, and improve early-warning systems. Because technical tools alone cannot address the full complexity of flood vulnerability, the presentation also examines the role of participatory mapping, community-based data collection, and co-designed strategies in bridging scientific modeling with local knowledge. This combined approach enhances the relevance, accuracy, and community ownership of flood adaptation measures.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Prof. Kefa Otiso, School of Earth, Environment & Society (SEES) <\/span>Bowling Green State University, OH.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Climate Change and Africa\u2019s Changing Habitats, Ecosystems and Biodiversity”\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Climate change is increasingly reshaping African habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity, with significant implications for ecological stability and human livelihoods. Across the continent, rising temperatures and droughts, shifting precipitation patterns, and the growing frequency of extreme weather events are altering the structure and functioning of key ecosystems. In the savannas of East and Southern Africa, prolonged droughts and irregular rainfall are affecting vegetation composition and water availability, which in turn influence herbivore migration patterns and predator\u2013prey dynamics. In tropical forest regions such as the Congo Basin, higher temperatures and changing rainfall regimes threaten forest resilience, potentially accelerating forest degradation and biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs along the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, face rising sea levels, warming waters, and ocean acidification, which undermine critical habitats for marine species.<\/p>\n

Climate change has also intensified existing pressures on biodiversity by interacting with land-use change, deforestation, agricultural expansion, and population growth. Many animal and plant species with limited geographic ranges or specialized habitat requirements face heightened risks of range contraction or extinction. Iconic wildlife such as the African elephant and the African lion are increasingly affected by habitat fragmentation and water scarcity, which may disrupt migration corridors and ecosystem balance. At the same time, climate-induced shifts in vegetation zones are transforming grasslands, wetlands, and montane ecosystems. Lacustrine ecosystems are also facing diverse climate change-related pressures that threaten their health.<\/p>\n

Understanding these dynamics is critical for developing effective conservation and adaptation strategies. Strengthening protected areas, improving landscape connectivity, and integrating climate resilience into biodiversity management will be essential to safeguard Africa\u2019s ecosystems in an era of rapid environmental change.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Prof. Abay Yimere, Tufts University<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
“Climate Change Threats to Energy Systems in Africa”<\/b><\/div>\n
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Abstract<\/h6>
Droughts dim the lights, floods fracture the grid: Climate change has placed Africa\u2019s energy systems on the frontline of systemic vulnerability.
\nAfrica\u2019s energy systems are increasingly exposed to intensifying climate change impacts that threaten both existing infrastructure and future energy security. The continent\u2019s heavy reliance on climate-sensitive energy sources, particularly hydropower and biomass, creates systemic vulnerabilities in the face of changing climate.
\nRising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events are major climate stressors threatening Africa\u2019s energy sector. For example, in hydropower-dependent countries such as Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia, prolonged droughts and growing hydrological variability have reduced generation capacity, exposing millions of people to power shortages and significant economic disruption.
\nClimate-induced water stress is emerging as a critical constraint on energy production. Reduced river flows, increased evaporation rates, and sedimentation are undermining dam efficiency and lifespan. At the same time, extreme floods are affecting transmission lines and generation facilities. Still mnore, coastal energy infrastructure, including thermal power plants and fuel import terminals in countries like Mozambique, faces escalating risks from sea-level rise, storm surges, and cyclones.
\nBeyond supply-side disruptions, climate change is also reshaping energy demand. Rising temperatures are driving increased demand for cooling, placing additional strain on already fragile grids. Meanwhile, the degradation of biomass resources, still a primary energy source for a large share of the population, poses significant risks to rural energy access and livelihoods.
\nThus, in this workshop, I will investigate and present how climate change is systematically undermining the reliability, resilience, and sustainability of Africa\u2019s energy systems, with a particular focus on policy and planning gaps. I further examine the extent to which current energy policies incorporate climate risk, identify critical vulnerabilities across energy sources and regions, and assess the adequacy of existing institutional and regulatory responses.
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Mr. Eric Juma, Director of Technology\u00a0@ HEET; Advisor\u00a0@ Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation<\/span><\/p>\n

“Climate-Resilient Energy Systems in Africa: Opportunities for Sustainable Development”\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Africa contributes relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet its energy systems are among the most climatevulnerable in the world. Many countries rely heavily on climate-sensitive
\nsources such as hydropower and traditional biomass, while infrastructure is often limited, aging, or poorly interconnected. Currently, Africa produces only about 3-3.3\u202f% of global electricity, despite representing 19\u202f% of the world\u2019s population, and roughly 600\u202fmillion people lack access to electricity, particularly in rural areas. Fossil fuels account for 70-75\u202f% of electricity generation, while renewable sources including hydro, solar, wind, and modern bioenergy contribute less than a third. Climate change amplifies these vulnerabilities. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall, and water variability can disrupt hydropower, while extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and storms threaten infrastructure, transmission networks, and fuel supply chains. These impacts reduce energy reliability and affordability, with significant consequences for economic growth, social stability, and human development. African countries have the potential to leapfrog toward cleaner, decentralized, and climate-resilient energy systems. Expanding solar, wind, geothermal, and modern bioenergy technologies supported by energy storage and smart grids can diversify supply, reduce vulnerability, and increase access for millions currently without electricity. In considering mitigation and adaptation measures, it is essential to explore how science and technology can enhance energy generation, transmission,
\nand distribution, drive economic development and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. Strengthening innovation, infrastructure, and regional cooperation will be key to
\nbuilding resilient, sustainable, and inclusive energy systems across Africa.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10:45-11:00 AM<\/td>\nBreak & coffee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11:00-12:30 PM<\/td>\n\n
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Panel Session 2:<\/b> Climate change threatens Africa\u2019s ecosystems systems, economies, and livelihoods; need for coordinated, resilient solutions – Room 415<\/b><\/div>\n
Session 2 highlights that climate change is not just an environmental issue in Africa, it is a systems-level challenge affecting ecosystems, economies, and institutions, requiring integrated, climate-resilient strategies and stronger regional collaboration.

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Chair<\/strong>: Prof. Kim McCall, Boston University<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n


Speakers:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Michael Cooperman, PlusFish Philanthropy and University of Montana, Flathead Lake Biological Station \u2013 Affiliated faculty, VT.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Climate Change and the Sustainability of Africa\u2019s Freshwater Fisheries”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
From the small artisanal fisheries that serve as critical social safety nets for vulnerable communities to large-scale commercial fisheries generating millions of dollars annually, freshwater fisheries in Africa play a major role in the livelihood and food security strategies of tens to hundreds of millions of peoples and are estimated to be contribute in excess of 5 billion dollars annually to the continent\u2019s GDP. Despite their importance, these fisheries are vulnerable to climate change. Here, I provide an overview of a host of different pathways climate change is anticipated to impact the freshwater fish and fisheries of Africa. First, altered precipitation patterns are likely to disrupt recruitment dynamics, particularly for high turnover (r-selected) species that are the backbone of subsistence fisheries. Second, warmer temperatures may impact turnover dynamics of large lakes via stronger and deeper thermoclines with consequences for nutrient cycling, fish productivity, and frequency of mass die-off events. Third, warming temperatures can accelerate life history processes leading to earlier sexual maturation and sub-lethal physiological stress that may result in smaller bodied adults, reduced harvestable biomass and lower economic value. Fourth, climate change is likely to drive the reorganization of fish communities with the emergence of \u201cno-analog\u201d assemblages, characterized by novel predator-prey relationships and other unfamiliar ecological interactions. Fifthly, hydrological extremes are expected to intensify: floods may engulf shoreline communities and infrastructure, while drought will contribute to contraction and recession of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, affecting habitat availability and access to fisheries resources. Finally, in addition to these biogeochemical pathways of impact, climate change is likely to force a need for mitigation of human-focused impacts, such as expanded construction of water-storage reservoirs to support urbanization and irrigated agriculture. Addressing these challenges will require mitigation and adaptation strategies that consider the role of science and technology in supporting more resilient freshwater fisheries.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Prof. Aloyce Kaliba, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA.<\/p>\n

“Estimating the Potential Impact of Climate Changes and Mitigation Strategies using a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Model: The case of Ghana and Tanzania”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Climate change poses a significant threat to the macroeconomic stability of Ghana and Tanzania. Based on the updated Social Accounting Matrix, a Dynamic General Equilibrium (DGE) model indicates substantial long-term contractions in real GDP resulting from climate-induced shocks that reduce agricultural productivity and raise transportation costs. In both nations, the agricultural sector is the primary conduit for these economic losses, as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns trigger sharp declines in yields of staples such as maize and high-value exports like cocoa. These productivity shocks increase food prices and reduce household consumption, disproportionately affecting rural populations and exacerbating poverty. To mitigate these impacts, the study’s results suggest prioritizing climate-smart agricultural investments, specifically expanding efficient irrigation infrastructure to decouple production from seasonal rainfall and developing heat-tolerant crop varieties. Furthermore, improving rural road resilience is essential to maintain market access and stabilize food supply chains during extreme weather events. By integrating these targeted adaptation strategies into national fiscal frameworks and leveraging external climate financing, Ghana and Tanzania can significantly offset projected welfare losses and foster more resilient agrarian economies.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Dr. Kamazima Lwiza, Stony Brook University, NY.<\/p>\n

“Challenges in Measurement, Modeling, and Policy Translation”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Africa faces a profound climate paradox: despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas
\nemissions, the continent experiences some of the most severe consequences of climate change,
\nincluding prolonged droughts, devastating floods, and mounting threats to food security, livelihoods,
\nand public health. This presentation examines the critical scientific and policy challenges that must be
\naddressed to develop effective, Africa-centered climate solutions. The presentation explores key climate
\nvariables\u2014mean temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation\u2014
\nhighlighting observed trends and projected changes across the African continent. Rising temperatures
\n(0.5-2\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels, with projections of 2-4\u00b0C by 2100) and highly variable precipitation
\npatterns pose significant risks to vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Three fundamental challenges
\nimpede progress in African climate science. First, measurement challenges include sparse weather
\nstation networks, data quality issues, limited historical records, and capacity constraints that hinder
\ncomprehensive climate monitoring. Second, modeling challenges arise from the scale mismatch
\nbetween coarse-resolution global CMIP6 models and the fine-scale regional features critical to African
\nclimate dynamics. The limited development of African-centered regional climate models perpetuates
\ndependency on external expertise and inadequate representation of complex topography and
\nconvective processes. Third, policy translation challenges stem from communication gaps between
\nscientists and policymakers, temporal mismatches between long-term projections and short-term
\npolitical cycles, resource constraints, and institutional fragmentation. Addressing these challenges
\nrequires substantial investment in measurement infrastructure, development of African-led regional
\nclimate models, enhanced computational capacity, and interdisciplinary approaches that integrate
\nindigenous knowledge with scientific modeling. Climate justice demands placing Africa at the center of
\nglobal climate conversations and co-producing knowledge that translates into actionable, context-
\nspecific policy solutions.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Dr. Theodore Lawrence, Executive Director of the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE)<\/span><\/p>\n

“A case study of the Africa\u2019s Great Lakes: Climate change impacts and a roadmap for positive change”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
The seven African Great Lakes are some of the most critical freshwater, large-lake systems in the world, providing essential services, food, drinking water, and other livelihood support to over 62 million people. Like most freshwater systems around the world, these lakes are strained by anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change, leading to degradation of these biologically important, and human-dependent resources. Despite their importance, these lakes suffer from insufficient research approaches which are short-term, disparate, and unharmonized. Further, a lack of monitoring, data and information exchange, education and training, and gender balance in research, all lead to insufficient knowledge on which to better manage and protect these lakes. While past efforts have resulted in some knowledge accumulation, there is a need for new approaches to understanding and managing these lakes: bottom-up, harmonized, and long-term processes. This talk highlights new, highly collaborative efforts of freshwater experts representing each riparian country of each African Great Lake through formal advisory groups. These efforts are the result of harmonized efforts and collegial agreements as to what issues need to be addressed foremost, written by those on the ground. While each lake has specific priorities, five overarching issues must be addressed to achieve success on these lakes: providing agency and coordination of African freshwater scientists; increase long-term monitoring; strengthen education and training of existing and future experts; enhance information and data exchange; and ensure stronger gender balance in science and leadership positions. Without leadership on the ground, and from the African governments themselves, efforts to make change will likely languish.
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12:30-1:30 PM<\/td>\nLunch – Room 423<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5-6:30 PM<\/td>\n\n

Morse Distinguished Lecture\u00a0<\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/h2>\n

Room 426<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction by <\/google-sheets-html-origin>Prof. Tim Longman,<\/a>\u00a0Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Pardee School of Global Studies<\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/p>\n

Dr. Harrison Charo-Karisa<\/b><\/google-sheets-html-origin>, Senior Fisheries Specialist (Aquaculture) at the Global Department for the Environment, <\/span>World Bank Group<\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/p>\n

“Turning the Tide on Climate and Food Insecurity in Africa”\u00a0<\/b><\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Africa is at the frontline of climate change, experiencing the most severe and disproportionate impacts despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Home to about 18% of the world\u2019s population (~1.5 billion people), the continent is among the most climate\u2011vulnerable regions globally. Over the past century, Africa has already warmed by 1.2\u20131.5 \u00b0C\u2014exceeding the global average of about 1.1 \u00b0C\u2014and temperatures are projected to rise by up to 2.5 \u00b0C by mid\u2011century. These changes are reshaping environmental systems and undermining socioeconomic stability. Climate change is intensifying hydrological variability, disrupting rainfall patterns, and increasing floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. These impacts are contributing to declining fisheries, the spread of diseases, and growing livelihood insecurity. Reduced availability of surface and groundwater is placing millions at risk of water insecurity. Agriculture, which employs roughly 60% of Africa\u2019s workforce and is largely rain\u2011fed, is particularly vulnerable; crop yields in some regions could decline by up to 50% by 2030, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition. Aquaculture offers a critical pathway to meet rising aquatic food demand while reducing pressure on overexploited wild fisheries. It delivers one of the lowest carbon footprints among animal protein systems and can contribute to climate mitigation through innovations such as seaweed\u2011based feed additives that reduce livestock methane emissions. Africa holds significant opportunities to enhance climate resilience through climate\u2011smart practices, sustainable water management, renewable energy, and community\u2011based adaptation. Scaling these solutions will require increased investment, targeted risk\u2011sharing instruments, and sustained funding to unlock aquaculture\u2019s full potential as a climate\u2011resilient, low\u2011emission pillar of sustainable food systems.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

6:30-8 PM<\/td>\nDinner – Room 227<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Day 2 – Friday April 17th, 2026<\/google-sheets-html-origin><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

10-10:30 AM<\/td>\nCoffee and breakfast – Room 423<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10:30 AM – 12 PM<\/td>\n\n
Theme Session 3: Climate Impacts on Human and Ecosystem Health – Room 415<\/b><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Session 3\u00a0examines how climate change undermines human health, mental well-being, and ecosystem productivity, amplifying economic and social vulnerabilities while exposing limits to sustainable human-environment relationships and the need for adaptive, resilient responses.<\/div>\n
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Chair: Dr<\/a>. Nellie Amosi, Boston University<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Prof. Suchi Gopal, Boston University<\/p>\n

“Beyond the Safe Zone: Planetary Boundary Breaches, African Health, and the Pathways Back”<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Africa faces a profound climate injustice: contributing less than 4% of cumulative global CO\u2082 emissions yet bearing disproportionate health consequences as six of nine planetary boundaries are simultaneously breached. This talk applies the planetary boundaries framework to Africa’s intersecting health crises, demonstrating how climate change is not a future threat but a present emergency. Rising temperatures have expanded malaria into Kenya’s formerly disease-free highlands, exposing immunologically na\u00efve highland populations to unprecedented transmission risk. Concurrent boundary breaches, land degradation, freshwater depletion, and aerosol loading, drive malnutrition, heat mortality, and elevated infant mortality rates that remain among the world’s highest. Yet Africa is responding. Community health insurance schemes have slashed maternal mortality by 81% in Rwanda. Women-led conservation movements are restoring degraded landscapes across the Sahel. Satellite-enabled disease surveillance and progressive government NDC commitments signal a continent not surrendering to climate fate, but actively engineering its resilience.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

 <\/p>\n

Prof. Lawrence Were, Boston University<\/p>\n

“Climate Change & HIV Risks Within Fishing Communities”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
It is expected that global environmental transformation catalyzed by climate change will lead to costly challenges for humanity including altering the quality, quantity, and distribution of natural resources that are instrumental to human health and development. Studies have shown that vulnerable groups would then employ coping strategies such as migration, livelihood diversification and for women, increasingly engage in transactional sex \u2013 the exchange of goods or money for sex. One case is the \u201cfish- for-sex\u201d phenomenon around the Lake Victoria basin in East Africa leading to some of the highest incidence and prevalence of HIV globally. As such, this study sought to explore perceptions on \u201cfish-for- sex\u201d and what factors are likely to predict these relationships in the context of HIV\/AIDS and climate change.
\nData was collected using mixed methods approaches. Qualitative data was collected during 6 focus groups comprising of 8 participants per group for a total of 48 respondents. The quantitative data was collected using questionnaires administered to 184 respondents. Further, hourly historical weather records for the five landing sites\/beaches were obtained from OpenWeatherMap (OWM). The outcome of interest was engagement in transactional sex (Yes\/No). Further, the analysis of the climate variables focused on average and minimum temperatures, average and total rainfall accumulation and concluded by analyzing heatwaves at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.
\nThe qualitative analysis shows that transactional \u201cfish-for-sex\u201d relationships continue to endure in fishing communities in the Lake Victoria basin in Western Kenya with changes in local nomenclature\/terminology. Further, respondents indicated that weather events have negatively impacted fish stock thus maintaining fish-for-sex relationships. Quantitatively, bivariate logistic regressions, show that among both men and women, a marital status of single, separated\/divorced, or widow\/er was associated with increased odds of engaging in transactional sex compared to those who are married. The effect of heat wave intensity was found to be statistically
\nsignificant among both genders, with a larger magnitude of effect observed among women.
\nInterpretation
\nClimate change poses a great threat to the \u2018Blue Economy\u2019 in fishing communities that have been
\nadversely affected by HIV such as the Lake Victoria basin in Kenya. In this study, we show that
\ntransactional fish-for-sex relationships in Lake Victoria in Kenya continues to endue thus influencing
\ntransactional fish-for-sex relationships in ways that perpetuate historical gender dynamics in fishing
\ncommunities. There is thus the need to not only document but to also mitigate these potential effects if
\nthe principles of the \u2018Blue Economy\u2019 are to be realized.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

 <\/p>\n

Dr. Eric Bright Ohene, Northeastern University, Department of Bioengineering; Beijing Anzhen Hospital & Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, PRC.<\/p>\n

“The Hamburger Phenomenon: the multi-layered existential crisis driven by climate change, structural inequities, and long-standing biases in global health investment in Africa.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/h6>
Africa is confronting an existential climate\u2013health crisis, conceptualized as the \u201chamburger phenomenon,\u201d wherein advancing desertification from the north and coastal salinization from the south compress and erode the continent\u2019s fertile ecological core. Despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa experiences disproportionate climate impacts, including droughts, floods, and extreme heat, resulting in annual losses approaching $200 billion and projected climate costs of $3 trillion nearly 93% of its GDP while simultaneously servicing over $100 billion in external debt each year. These environmental shocks have intensified both emerging infectious diseases (Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, dengue, malaria, cholera) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), exposing a critical misalignment in global health investment.
\nHistorically, NCDs responsible for 74% of global deaths (41 million annually) were erroneously considered diseases of affluence, leading to systemic underinvestment in Africa. Consequently, the continent bears approximately 10 million NCD-related deaths, often occurring prematurely, with up to 20% of cardiovascular deaths affecting individuals under 40 nearly a decade earlier than expected. Limited diagnostic infrastructure, evidenced by reliance on verbal autopsies, further obscures disease burden. Healthcare disparities are stark: while high-income regions average one cardiovascular facility per 100,000 people, Africa has fewer than one per 38 million.
\nClimate change exacerbates maternal and cardiovascular mortality, with heatwaves increasing cardiovascular deaths by 17% and contributing to preeclampsia, hemorrhage, acute kidney injury, and infant mortality. Africa\u2019s median age of 19.8 years and fewer than 4% of individuals above 62 reflect not demographic advantage but premature mortality.
\nAddressing this crisis requires dismantling biased global health assumptions and transitioning from debt-driven climate financing to reparative justice frameworks. A non-aligned, forward-facing strategy is essential to unlock Afrocentric, scalable solutions and ensure equitable global health and climate resilience.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

12:00 – 1 PM<\/td>\n\n
Lunch and closing remarks – Room 423<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nRegister here<\/a>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Speakers<\/h2>\n

Bradford Morse Distinguished Lecture<\/h3>\n

\"\"Harrison Charo Karisa, Ph.D.,<\/strong> is Senior Fisheries Specialist (Aquaculture) at the Global Department for the Environment, World Bank Group. He leads the Bank\u2019s global efforts in aquaculture development and co-leads the AquaInvest Platform to support public and private sector aquaculture investments. Major focus is on building partnerships within and external to the World Bank spurring inclusive, vibrant and sustainable aquaculture value chains. This entails building confidence in aquaculture and supporting small and medium enterprises and the private sector access innovative financing in collaboration with International Finance Corporation, and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. His work encourages resilient aquaculture practices enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services, strengthening livelihoods, and improving food and nutrition security through climate smart management of landscape and seascape resources. He holds a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Wageningen University of Life Sciences, the Netherlands and M.Sc. in Biodiversity, Swedish Agricultural University, Sweden where he specialized in fish genetics and breeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Panelists<\/h2>\n

\"\"Michael S. Cooperman<\/strong> has a Ph.D. in fisheries science from Oregon State University and a M.S. degree in the ecology of river-floodplain ecosystems from University of Montana. He is the founder of PlusFish Philanthropy, which is dedicated to promoting research and engagement to protect aquatic ecosystems and the benefits derived from them. Michael is also Affiliated Faculty with the University of Montana\u2019s Flathead Lake Biological Station, where he helped found the \u201cMonitoring Montana Waters\u201d program to provide technical and financial assistance to citizen-science groups. Prior experiences include nine years as Fish and Fisheries Ecologist with Conservation International where his primary geographic focus was Tonle Sap Lake of Cambodia, a National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellowship on Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon, and post-doctoral position at University of British Columbia studying the physiological-ecology of Fraser River sockeye salmon migration. Current projects include status assessment of the <\/span>Labeobarbus<\/span><\/i> species flock of the Lake Tana basin, Ethiopia; a socio-economic assessment of small-scale fisheries of Africa; promoting ecologically benign aquaculture in the Great Lakes of Africa; and, a study of the life history of <\/span>Lates microlepsis<\/span><\/i> of Lake Tanganyika. Michael currently lives and works from his home in Manchester, Vermont.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"Prof. Charles <\/b> Manyara<\/strong> is an environmental geographer specializing in flood hazard mitigation, climate risk analysis, and geospatial modeling. His research integrates GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological analysis to assess flood vulnerability, map hazard exposure, and support evidence-based adaptation planning across African landscapes. He has led studies examining the spatial dynamics of extreme rainfall, land-use change, and watershed degradation, with a focus on developing community-centered strategies for reducing flood impacts in both rural and rapidly urbanizing regions. Dr. Manyara collaborates with institutions and governmental agencies to advance geospatial approaches to disaster preparedness and climate resilience. His work emphasizes the importance of locally grounded data, participatory mapping, and interdisciplinary methods in shaping equitable and effective climate adaptation policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Eric Juma<\/strong> serves as Director of Technology at HEET, a climate non-profit leading the transition from natural gas to geothermal networks. There, his research work focuses on technoeconomic analysis of thermal energy technologies and subsurface data collection. He is also an advisor to the Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation, supporting digital literacy and sustainable development projects in Bunyala, Kenya, on the shore of Lake Victoria. Eric is passionate about the environment, clean energy, sustainable development, and ethical\/open-source software.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Dr. Ted Lawrence<\/strong> is the Executive Director of the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE)\u2014leading work to ensure scientists from North America and African collaborate and share knowledge to protect freshwater Great Lakes around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

He has been living, working, and researching in Africa for over 20 years. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, researching governance and management of large, multi-jurisdictional freshwater resources, specifically on Lake Victoria, East Africa and conducted comparative analysis of management approaches between African and North American lake systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on his background and research, Ted and his colleagues formed ACARE, a highly collaborative organization whose goals are to positively affect policy and management on Africa\u2019s Great Lakes by executing a long-term network of freshwater experts to strengthen science in Africa. He also spent 15 years as the Communications and Policy Specialist at the bi-national Canadian-U.S. Great Lakes Fishery Commission where many of the building blocks for successful collaboration are used to inform the processes on the African Great Lakes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Dr. Bright Eric Ohene, MD, PhD<\/strong>, is a Ghanaian cardiovascular surgeon and global health innovator whose work spans four continents. A pioneer in heart care, he is known for groundbreaking surgical methods and record-setting donor-heart preservation and transport.<\/span> Dr. Ohene serves on numerous academic and diplomatic boards across China and Africa, including leadership roles in the Belt and Road health initiatives and various universities including Northeastern University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Ghana, Legon, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana. As the founder of FortyNine57 Group, co-founder of the Neo-Pan-African organization <\/span>A.F.R.I.C.A.N.<\/b>, and author of <\/span>Hands, Chopsticks, Forks and Knives<\/span><\/i>, he remains a leading champion for health equity and indigenous Afrocentric innovation.
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Prof. Sucharita Gopal.<\/strong> My research is multidisciplinary dealing with spatial analysis and modeling, GIS, data mining and information visualization and artificial neural networks. I have applied spatial analysis to address a variety of problems in biology, environmental science, public health, and business. I have also worked on uncertainty issues related to GIS. I have used neural networks for pattern classification, estimation, and mixture modeling. My current funded research includes the development of a marine integrated decision analysis system (MIDAS) for Massachusetts, malaria risk mapping in Ethiopia, analysis of patent activities in China, and mapping health service delivery in Zambia. I am funded by the National Science Foundation on a GK-12 grant\u2014Global Change Initiative\u2014Research and Education (GLACIER) focusing on outreach to middle schools in the Boston area. In addition, I am funded by Rockefeller foundation on work related to data mining and visualization and the MacArthur Foundation on assessing the impact of climate change on food security and biodiversity in Cambodia.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Prof. Aloyce Kaliba. <\/strong>I am a Kansas State University alumnus (Ph.D. and MSc), Manhattan, Kansas, USA, and Sokoine University of Agriculture (BSc), Morogoro, Tanzania. I previously worked with the Aquaculture\/Fisheries Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (USA), Economics <\/span>Department at the National University of Lesotho, and Extension Program and Farming System Research (as a coordinator) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Tanzania. I have more than 40 years of research experience and 20 years of university-level teaching. I have published more than 70 articles in different peer-reviewed journals and other professional outlets. The articles employ both qualitative and quantitative research methods and machine learning, and their topics range from productive efficiency, profitability, and risk analyses to impact assessments and program evaluations. My recent publications are available at:\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar?hl=en&q=Aloyce+Kaliba&as_sdt=0 <\/a>I have received research grants from several institutions totaling more than $6 million. Granting institutions include the International Foundation for Science, the Rockefeller Foundation, the International Development Research Center, the World Food Program,\u00a0 <\/span>International Development Network, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of State, US Department of Commerce, and the Louisiana Board of Regents, to name a few. Ongoing research includes assessing the dynamics of agricultural technology adoption under market and information asymmetries, determining the mediating effects of innovations, and using spatiotemporal and pseudo-panel data for clustering and classification with machine-learning tools. I have experience working with students and faculty from Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda, and other African countries through field research, supervising graduate students, and mentoring young faculty members at several universities in East, West, and Southern Africa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Prof. Lwiza Kamazima. <\/strong>I am a marine physicist. I study ocean processes that affect ocean circulation, density distribution, and climate change and variability. My current research interests focus on the structure and dynamics of the shelf-seas, remote sensing oceanography, and biological-physical interactions, which affect offshore wind energy production, affect larval transport and tropical diseases epidemiology. I design field experiments to observe these processes by incorporating modern technology, with a particular emphasis on the acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), coastal ocean RADAR, GPS-tracked Lagrangian drifters, ocean gliders and satellites. The study of hypoxia in Long Island Sound is very important to me. My students and I have demonstrated that spring total chlorophyll, maximum spring freshwater discharge into the sound, spring total nitrogen, and mean summer wind are good predictors of summer hypoxic water volume. They contribute to more than 81% of the volume variability. We also demonstrated that onset of hypoxia\u2019s late summer relaxation is sensitive to factors beyond wind mixing alone. Whereas wind mixing contributes at most 30% to the late summer bottom water dissolved oxygen variability, the penalty of not including the bacterial dynamics in the model is an over-prediction of bottom dissolved oxygen by as much as 700%. My lab is currently working on three projects. In the first one we are machine learning techniques to understand factors that control the interannual and long-term variability of surfclam recruitment. The study also seeks to determine the climate change effects on the surf clam population in state waters on the south shore of Long Island. \u00a0The second project, \u2018Integrating hydro-climate science into policy decisions for climate-resilient infrastructure and livelihoods in East Africa\u2019 (HyCRISTAL), is working with stakeholders in East African to quantify climate prediction uncertainty from natural variability, uncertainty from climate forcings including those previously unassessed, and uncertainty in response to these forcings. HyCRISTAL is using the information to understand trends, when climate-change signals will emerge and provide a process-based expert judgement on projections to inform climate-smart policy decision making.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Prof. Kefa M. Otiso<\/strong> is Professor of Geography in the School of Earth, Environment, and Society at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA. He has a PhD in Urban and Economic Geography from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, USA, an MA from Ohio University, USA, and a Bachelor\u2019s degree from Kenyatta University, Kenya. His research is focused on urbanization, international migration, development, governance, and cultural change in the context of Africa and North America. He is the author of many journal articles and books including African Immigrants and the American Experience: Race, Anti-Black Violence, and the Quest for the American Dream (2023). He was the founding president of the US-based Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA) and is a past editor of the African Geographical Review. He has presented papers in many national and international conferences and is a frequent media commentator on various US, Kenyan, and other international news outlets.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Prof. Lawrence P.O. Were,<\/strong> PhD is an Assistant Professor at Boston University and is also the Director of the Global Health Systems R.I.S.E Lab<\/span> that focuses on the optimization of healthcare systems for marginalized and at-risk communities\/population. His research focuses on the estimation of the impact of reforms within healthcare systems and health insurance programs on the outcomes of marginalized and high-risk populations such as informal traders, HIV+ individuals, pregnant women and their children, and people with mental health challenges. He is also interested in Global Health and HIV\/AIDS financing mechanisms, health systems responses to climate change, and Geo-Spatial aspects of public health. Dr. Were teaches courses in Comparative Healthcare Systems; Global Health; Social Determinants of Health; and Research Methods. He received his PhD in Health Services Research (HSR) \u2013 Health Economics track from the Department of Health Services Policy & Practice (HSPP) at Brown University\u2019s School of Public Health.<\/p>\n

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Prof. Abay Yimere<\/strong> is affiliated with The Fletcher School at Tufts University and serves as Director of the African Climate Center, based in Nairobi, Kenya. His research centers on energy<\/a> transitions and policy in Africa, critical minerals governance<\/a>, urban resilience<\/a>, and climate risk assessment<\/a>. Dr. Abay also served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Council for the Second African Climate Summit (ACS2), where the Council provided strategic technical leadership and played a pivotal role in mobilizing substantial financial and philanthropic support. In recent work co-authored<\/a> with Benjamin K. Sovacool and other collaborators, Dr. Yimere highlights a critical sustainability paradox<\/strong>:<\/b> the global rush for critical minerals, essential for decarbonizing the world\u2019s energy systems, risks intensifying ecological degradation and social inequality across Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2026 Bradford Morse Distinguished Lectureship & Walter Rodney Seminars Thursday April 16th & Friday April 17th, 2026 Boston University Hillel House, 213 Bay State Rd, MA 012215 Free and open to the public. Conference Description Africa contributes less than 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it faces some of the most severe consequences […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16666,"featured_media":0,"parent":24983,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/landing.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24986"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16666"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24986"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25196,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24986\/revisions\/25196"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}