Over the past two weeks, I have had the pleasure of spending time with colleagues at Mzuzu University in Malawi. Dr Chrispin Gogoda, Head of the Energy Systems Department, and Christopher Bill Hara welcomed me to the vibrant Mzuzu University campus, nestled within trees and often described as home to the “green intellectuals”. An inspiring place to learn, reflect, and move conversations forward on how to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
On Thursday, we presented our #JustGESI project (Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for a Just Energy Transition) to the Energy System Department and academic leadership, outlining our programme of activities to advance electric cooking in Malawi. Led by Vanesa Castan Broto of Sheffield Urbanism at The University of Sheffield, JustGESI seeks to ensure that the root causes of discrimination and exclusion that continue to pervade energy transition programmes are properly understood and addressed through a bottom-up approach that draws on and values the skills and knowledge of women and marginalised groups.
As part of the JustGESI team at Loughborough University, my time in Malawi is focused on supporting colleagues with key informant interviews to better understand the barriers to ecooking uptake and to the integration of GESI in Malawi’s energy transitions. We have also been busy planning our Year 2 activities, which will see local teams working directly with communities through seed-funding initiatives to support women-led efforts to promote electric cooking at the community level.
An incredibly inspiring time so far. I’m really looking forward to what the remaining two weeks will bring!!!
Dr Serena Saligari’s latest update from Malawi on her #JustGESI project activities
Dr Chrispin Gogoda, Head of the Energy Systems Department, Dr Serena Saligari, Loughborough University and Christopher Bill Hara at Mzuzu University.
Photo credit: MZUNI Marketing Team
Spending two inspiring weeks at Mzuzu University, Dr Serena Saligari shares insights from Malawi on how the #JustGESI project is advancing gender equality, social inclusion, and electric cooking through community-led approaches to a just energy transition.