Since 2021, academic communities at UiT and three universities in Ghana, Vietnam, and Indonesia have been connected through the ECOGIV project, which is funded by NORAD. Together, they are working to train researchers in the management of marine resources and ecosystems.

This collaboration has led to nine PhD candidates currently undertaking research training at Nha Trang University (NTU) in Vietnam. In addition, three postdoctoral researchers have been employed at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and at IPB University in Indonesia. UiT serves as the coordinator of the research project, ensuring the quality of research activities and offering training for teaching staff and academic supervisors.

The knowledge generated through ECOGIV has the potential to benefit numerous areas in the long term. It could equip countries in the Global South with improved tools to address challenges facing coastal communities, including global warming, overfishing, and mass tourism. At the same time, the project aims to foster gender equality and promote sustainable local economies.

Professor Claire Armstrong, who leads the ECOGIV project at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science, underscores that this international collaboration delivers benefits on multiple levels.

The studies contribute to science, but they also hold significant local value for coastal communities facing mounting pressure on marine resources, as they help identify both problems and solutions, she explains.

In June, representatives from the four universities gathered at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science at UiT to discuss ECOGIV’s future direction. During these meetings, the contributions of the PhD candidates were given special attention. These candidates are actively collecting and analyzing data on diverse cases and scenarios concerning coastal management and aquaculture across the three countries.

A significant challenge for the PhD candidates is that statistical data in their fields of study is often scarce or unavailable. As a result, much of the data must be generated from scratch. Surveys are therefore a crucial research tool, offering valuable insights into how local populations are affected by shifts in both environmental and economic conditions.

Sustainability in the shrimp industry
Five PhD candidates and two postdoctoral researchers are investigating the sustainability and adaptability of shrimp farming and other aquaculture activities in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Ghana, exploring these industries from multiple dimensions.

Two PhD candidates in Vietnam are examining the role of small-scale farmers within the shrimp sector and its broader value chain, which is significant for employment and community welfare.

Meanwhile, a PhD candidate in Indonesia is focusing on spatial planning in shrimp farming. This research may help reduce the negative environmental impact of shrimp farming on mangrove forests and ecosystems.

Climate change and mass tourism
A central theme across the PhD candidates’ research is understanding how global phenomena affect coastal communities.

One study is exploring attitudes towards mass tourism in Vietnam’s coastal regions, aiming to reveal the social, economic, and environmental ripple effects on local communities. This research could provide a stronger basis for identifying potential conflicts and assessing local capacity to respond to such challenges.

Another PhD candidate is examining the resilience of small-scale fisheries along Ghana’s coast to environmental and economic changes driven by climate change.

Working conditions and attitudes
Three PhD candidates and one postdoctoral researcher from Ghana and Indonesia are focusing on the working conditions and attitudes of coastal fishers.

Their research includes investigating how fishers’ efficiency is influenced by factors such as fuel subsidies and the choice of fishing gear. They are also generating new insights into coastal fishers’ attitudes and practices concerning waste collection in Vietnam’s coastal and marine areas. This work could deepen understanding of the extent to which local communities are capable of addressing environmental challenges independently.

Another important line of research involves mapping the non-commercial cultural values of coastal habitats in Ghana. This research highlights cultural and social values linked to the natural environment, which are often overlooked when commercial exploitation of coastal areas increases.

“These varied studies contribute to a mosaic of knowledge about coastal environments and communities in the Global South,” Armstrong observes. “But they also intersect significantly with coastal life in countries like Norway, where there is growing interest in both experiencing and utilizing marine and coastal resources. As a researcher from Northern Norway, being part of this project is incredibly fulfilling.”

Perspectives on gender equality
Gender equality is a central pillar in ECOGIV, both in the topics being researched and in supporting opportunities for women researchers to participate and thrive.

The project includes several initiatives that build knowledge around gender equality. Two PhD candidates from Indonesia and Ghana are studying how women’s employment shapes the shrimp farming sector.

Additionally, two postdoctoral researchers from these countries are exploring women’s roles and participation in both fisheries and aquaculture industries.

ECOGIV has also launched a dedicated forum for female researchers in Ghana called “Breaking The Glass Ceiling.” This initiative seeks to address how better conditions can be created for women pursuing academic careers.

Women in academia often encounter barriers such as stereotypes, gender pay gaps, work-life imbalance, and lack of support. The forum provides a space where participants can discuss these challenges and work collaboratively on practical solutions.

“Such forums are essential for shedding light on the unique challenges faced by women in academia,” Armstrong emphasizes. “Many of the experiences shared by female academics in the Global South are not unlike those encountered by women in the Global North.”

She believes that measures already implemented in the Global North could also prove beneficial to colleagues in the Global South.

“Within the project, these experiences are shared, and funding is allocated to help ensure that female academics can advance in their careers,” she adds.

UiT will conclude its coordinating role for ECOGIV in 2026. The research conducted by the PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers is expected to be completed the following year. After that, a new phase will begin, with NTU planning to continue research training, potentially in collaboration with the partner universities in Ghana and Indonesia, provided sufficient funding is secured.

Source: https://en.uit.no/nyheter/artikkel?p_document_id=883205