Background
As a result of the challenges posed by climate change issues, developing an evidence-based, sustainable and resilient food system is urgently needed. However, the entire Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) produces only about 3% of the global research on food systems, a very minimal contribution compared to the Global North (e.g., UK 10%, Italy 6%). According to the National Research Outlook Report of Uganda, “Global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, water contamination, food insecurity, global health, poverty, and the refugee influx, amongst others, cannot be tackled without international research collaboration.”
A research capacity gap currently exists in interdisciplinary topics such as Sustainable
Food Systems in Uganda, despite the urgent need to address food security challenges. We are motivated by these factors to work with ECR from Uganda. While they are the future of research and innovation, they are underrepresented in social science research in the fields of sustainable food systems and consumer behaviours. Upon completion of their graduate studies, fresh PhD graduates normally lack mentors and hence the requisite mentorship to usher them into the world of research and project development. This call for a writing workshop specifically targets ECRs in the field of sustainable food systems and consumer behaviour.
Workshop objectives
i) Develop the writing, publication, and grant application writing skills among ECRs
ii) Develop a network of ECRs to facilitate peer support and mentorship in publications and grant
iii) To foster interdisciplinary research networks and collaborations among scholars
iv) Develop a positive and holistic research culture to cope with the “publish or perish” culture
Who can apply for the workshop?
i) Be in their final year of PhD studies or have finished their PhD within the last eight years.
ii) Be working in the areas of Sustainable Food Systems (e.g., consumer behaviour, food science,
food security, food waste and nutrition, economics).
iii) Must commit to full attendance of the in-person workshop and virtual seminars in 2026.
iv) Provide a letter of support from their institution, stating they will be released to participate in
the in-person workshop if selected.
v) Be resident and or working in Uganda.
Logistics: The writing workshop shall be fully residential, with accommodation and meals provided for
all participants. A transport refund, based on public rates shall be given to each participant based on the distance to the venue.
Date of workshop: The writing workshop shall be held for 4 days, January 6-9, 2026. Participants shall be expected to report on January 5, and depart on January 10, 2026 Residential location of workshop: The workshop shall take Place at the Lake Victoria Golf Resort Hotel, Kigo, Entebbe (Uganda).
Participation costs
Costs associated with the in-person workshop, including travel to and from Kampala, accommodation
and food, will be fully covered by the project. Participants shall be expected to come with their own
laptop computers and personal effects during the workshop.
Structure of the writing workshops
Participation in the writing workshops will involve attendance at a 4-day in-person workshop and a 2-
day virtual seminar. Additionally, participants are expected to commit to participating in the mentorship
sessions and to developing at least one high-quality journal article for publication. Each participant will
be provided with a mentor who is a member of an international journal to enhance their writing and publication skills.
The workshops is intended to prepare ECRs in writing techniques for papers and grants, formulation of manuscripts, publishing skills and how to cope with publish or perish culture.
How to apply:
To apply, please fill in the online application form and submit by 11:59 pm, October 31, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
You will need to include the following in your application:
- A reference letter in support of your application from your institution
- A personal statement (maximum 250 words)
- A CV (2 pages maximum) including any previous publications and/or funding.
- A copy of your PhD certificate (if applicable)
- A 2,000-word summary or extract from your paper that you would like to develop further. This
might, for instance, include an introduction and methodology section or an extended outline of
your paper.
Workshop Organisers
The in-person workshop shall be hosted by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO),
in collaboration with Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU),
UK. The writing workshop is organised by Dr. Odongo Walter, Director of Research, with the National
Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), (UG); Prof. Joshua Wesana, from the Mountains of the
Moon University (UG), and Prof. Manoj Dora, Professor in Sustainable Production and Consumption
and Director of Centre for Intelligent Supply Chains at Anglia Ruskin University(ARU), UK. The ECR
writing workshop is funded by the British Academy
Why participate in the writing workshop?
This is more than just a write shop, it is an opportunity to elevate your voice, strengthen your research
capacity and connect with global academics and policy communities. Whether your aim is to publish in
tier one journals, or secure international research funding, the ECR writing workshop will provide you
with the requisite tools, mentorship and recognition to move your career forward.
Please note:
- Deadline for submission of application is 11:59 pm October 31, 2025. Late submissions will
not be considered. - It is your(applicants) responsibility to ensure that your reference is submitted by the closing
date to academy.writeshop@gmail.com - Applicants are welcomed to seek clarification through email to academy.writeshop@gmail.com
- We will endeavour to inform successful applicants by early November 2025. If you have not
heard from us by the end of November 2025, consider your application unsuccessful this time