Lauren Phillips

Is Tanzania ready for tropical cyclone Jobo?

By Hellen E. Msemo Declan L. Finney, Cathryn Birch and John Marsham for GCRF-African SWIFT The current development of the severe tropical storm over the South-Indian Ocean, later classed as severe tropical cyclone Jobo, reminds us of the other rare events where such high-impact storms have made landfall in Tanzania. In April of 1872 and … Continue Reading

How skilful are sub-seasonal precipitation forecasts for Africa?

By Dr Felipe M. de Andrade for GCRF-African SWIFT Demands for accurate sub-seasonal forecasts with intervals from weeks to months into the future are increasing across Africa. Such forecasts in particular may support decision makers to take preparedness actions for preventing or reducing the impacts of severe weather conditions on lives, properties and economic activities. … Continue Reading

Weather forecasts signal meningitis outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa

Scientists are using weather forecasts to predict the location and scale of impending meningitis outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. It is part of an early-warning system being piloted with the aim of giving health agencies more time to activate emergency response plans. The approach – pioneered by ACMAD, the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development, and … Continue Reading

Statement on UKRI funding cuts

UK Research and Innovation has announced a significant cut to the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) as a result of the UK government’s decision to reduce spending on international aid. The GCRF African SWIFT team first learned about the cuts to the GCRF programme in a letter that UKRI published on Thursday, 11th March. Although … Continue Reading

‘Creating possibilities and giving hope’: on the GCRF frontline

UK Research and Innovation has announced a large cut to the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) as a result of the Government’s decision to reduce spending on international aid. GCRF was established to target the best of Britain’s research effort at the big problems facing the world. The University of Leeds has been involved in about 150 individual … Continue Reading