Tackling the climate crisis in East Africa – Rising Scholars connects early career researchers with tools for impact

East Africa is facing an intensifying climate crisis with droughts and flooding in the region significantly affecting food security, human health, and social stability. Evidence-based solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation and community resilience are desperately needed and INASP is building a new generation of researchers to respond to this need. Through the Rising Scholars community, INASP provides early career researchers with the training, tools and networks needed to confidently tackle complex global challenges such as climate change. 

Ugandan researcher Sharon Gubamwoyo is investigating the role of natural and converted wetlands as sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, exploring how shifts in climate conditions impact wetland health, carbon sequestration capacity, and their role in global carbon dynamics. Carrying out her research in the wetlands of Kenya, Sharon joined the Rising Scholars community to make use of the free online courses, and to find a mentor that could support her growing research career.  

“I first learnt about Rising Scholars from a friend. They were talking about it, so I had to look it up, and thought it should be interesting […] I appreciate Rising Scholars for the great work that they continue to do and the services they offer, the webinars they host, and that free! And the wealth of information they make available. There are so many things I have learnt and I’m grateful for the work that they are doing.” 

Early career researchers in East Africa often face significant challenges – including limited resources, institutional barriers, and restricted access to mentorship. In these contexts, Rising Scholars provides essential support – equipping researchers like Sharon with the resources, networks, and confidence to tackle local challenges with global relevance. With over 14,000 members spanning Africa, Asia and Latin America, Rising Scholars has provided Sharon with the support she needs to gain expertise, build connections and spark new ideas and solutions to the complex challenges of climate change. 

“I’m doing my research in Kenya, but I am from Uganda, and Uganda is home to many wetlands. So, I’m using this as a training and learning ground. This is going to help me enhance and sharpen my research skills to solve the different problems and challenges that we have back in Uganda.” 

Sharon’s research offers critical insights for environmental policy and practice. By examining wetland degradation and restoration, she’s shedding light on land-use impacts and reinforcing the importance of wetland ecosystems for biodiversity, water quality, and carbon storage. Her work demonstrates that the power of research is not confined to academic corridors – it has the potential to shape policies, conserve ecosystems, and contribute to the fight against climate change. 

Impact through Rising Scholars

• Building a generation of researchers to tackle the climate crisis. The Rising Scholars community spans the continent – and the world – with growing hubs in Nigeria, Ghana and East Africa. Over the last three years, INASP has enabled 23,000 researchers to gain new knowledge and strengthen their skills so that they can create relevant and rigorous knowledge to tackle the growing complexity of global challenges.  

• Increased knowledge to combat climate change. Through Rising Scholars, INASP provides a flexible programme of online resources that enables researchers like Sharon to strengthen their skills, deepen their confidence and forge new collaborations, inspiring new thinking and new solutions to climate-related challenges. 

• Equipping young scholars to put critical research into practice where it’s needed the most. INASP has been working in partnership with universities, research institutions and their staff for over 30 years, building specialised expertise in the Global South. Rising Scholars has an 18-year history of finding new ways to bridge the learning gap for early career scholars.