His research interests span the fields of social, economic and development geography with a specific focus on water, sanitation and energy infrastructure; informality, mobility and livelihood; environmental management; public health; climate change and governance.

Dr Amankwaa joins Loughborough as a visiting research fellow, having obtained The Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA-AFRICA) Project award which is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY).

He is interested in promoting inclusive development and environmental sustainability, in the context of pro-poor urban governance, climate adaptation and education, and the application of transdisciplinary research methodology.

Over the past eight years, he has participated in international transdisciplinary research projects and undertaken national assignments, and his research works have not only shaped urban policies in Ghana but translated into interventions and practice

During his time at Loughborough, Dr Amankwaa will be working with the REFIT project team on the impact of extreme heat in Ghana. He recently presented a paper on the topic at the ECAS Conference in Cologne.

The paper acknowledged how cities across sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly experiencing extreme weather events which disproportionately affect the urban poor. Focusing on severe heat, his paper discussed the impact working in high temperatures is having on livelihoods in low-income urban communities in Ghana.

Colleagues look forward to working with Dr Amankwaa this semester.