Encyclopaedia Africana · Volume 4 Production
Call for Abstract Submissions
Thematic Area: Environmental, Sustainability and Agricultural Sciences
Preamble
The Encyclopaedia Africana Project (EAP), a flagship project of the African Union and under the scientific guidance of the Pan-African Scientific Committee (PASC), seeks to produce a comprehensive, authoritative and enduring account of the history, development and future trajectories of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Africa, grounded in African perspectives, indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary scientific scholarship.
In keeping with the vision of the founding fathers, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, the Encyclopaedia Africana seeks to challenge historical narratives that portray Africa merely as recipient of scientific knowledge and instead demonstrates the continent’s role as a generator, custodian, and disseminator of knowledge systems that have contributed to global civilization.
Three (3) Volumes of the Encyclopaedia Africana have previously been published, focusing primarily on biographies of distinguished heroes and heroines and selected political histories. Volume IV seeks to expand this legacy by documenting Africa’s scientific heritage, including indigenous technologies and innovation ecosystems that have sustained societies, transformed economies, and contributed to global scientific advancement.
The Encyclopaedia Africana Project Secretariat therefore invites scholars and knowledge holders from Africa and the African Diaspora to contribute to this landmark Pan-African publication.
Accepted entries will be published progressively on the Encyclopaedia Africana digital reference platform and also incorporated into the printed edition of Volume IV.
Contributors whose abstracts are accepted and who successfully complete commissioned full entries will:
- —Receive an honorarium in recognition of their scholarly contribution to Encyclopaedia Africana Volume IV.
- —Be awarded an Official Certificate of Contribution acknowledging their participation in this landmark Pan-African scholarly initiative.
- —Become part of an international network of scholars, researchers and indigenous knowledge holders contributing to one of Africa’s most significant knowledge and heritage projects.
Overview
Environmental, Sustainability and Agricultural Sciences
Long before the emergence of modern environmental science, African societies applied empirical observation, experimentation and collective experience to develop sustainable approaches to land management, water conservation, agroecology, forestry, fisheries, wildlife management and climate adaptation. These practices, transmitted through generations, remain valuable sources of knowledge for addressing contemporary environmental and developmental challenges.
This thematic area seeks to document Africa’s contributions to environmental sciences, sustainability and agriculture by integrating indigenous ecological knowledge with contemporary scientific research. It recognises that Africa’s scientific heritage encompasses both traditional knowledge systems and modern innovations that promote environmental stewardship, food security, climate resilience and sustainable economic development.
Volume IV also seeks to highlight the contributions of African scientists, institutions, communities and innovators whose work continues to shape environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, agricultural transformation, renewable energy, sustainable technologies and ecological resilience across the continent and beyond.
Aims
Objectives
This thematic area seeks to:
- —Document Africa’s historical and contemporary contributions to environmental sciences, sustainability and agricultural innovation.
- —Preserve indigenous ecological knowledge systems and traditional environmental management practices.
- —Demonstrate Africa’s leadership in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable resource management.
- —Highlight the scientific achievements of African researchers, institutions and communities.
- —Promote interdisciplinary scholarship linking indigenous knowledge with modern environmental science.
- —Showcase innovations that contribute to food security, environmental resilience and sustainable development.
- —Encourage the documentation of community-based environmental practices and local innovations.
- —Strengthen African-centred scholarship on environmental governance and sustainability science.
Scope
Areas of Interest/Entry Categories
Abstracts are invited on, but are not limited to, the following thematic areas.
a
African Environmental Knowledge Systems
Topics may include:
- —Indigenous ecological knowledge
- —Traditional environmental management
- —Sacred forests and cultural landscapes
- —Indigenous conservation practices
- —Community environmental governance
- —Ecological ethics
- —Environmental philosophies
- —Indigenous climate knowledge
- —Traditional weather forecasting
- —Human–environment interactions
b
Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Conservation Science
Contributors are invited to explore:
- —Biodiversity conservation
- —Wildlife management
- —Forest ecology
- —Wetlands
- —Coastal and marine ecosystems
- —Protected areas
- —Community conservation
- —Indigenous species management
- —Restoration ecology
- —Ecosystem services
- —Pollinator conservation
c
Climate Science, Adaptation and Resilience
Suggested topics include:
- —Climate change
- —Climate adaptation
- —Community resilience
- —Indigenous adaptation strategies
- —Disaster risk reduction
- —Drought management
- —Flood resilience
- —Climate-smart agriculture
- —Early warning systems
- —Carbon management
d
Natural Resource Management
Submissions are welcomed on:
- —Land governance
- —Water resource management
- —Soil conservation
- —Watershed management
- —Mineral resource governance
- —Sustainable forestry
- —Fisheries management
- —Community resource management
- —Environmental restoration
- —Circular resource use
e
Sustainability Science and Green Transitions
Potential topics include:
- —Sustainable development
- —Green economy
- —Circular economy
- —Renewable energy
- —Bioeconomy
- —Low-carbon development
- —Sustainable industrialisation
- —Green technologies
- —Sustainable cities
- —Nature-based solutions
f
Environmental Governance, Policy and Justice
Contributions may examine:
- —Environmental law
- —Climate policy
- —Environmental institutions
- —Indigenous environmental rights
- —Community participation
- —Environmental justice
- —Resource conflicts
- —Transboundary environmental governance
- —International environmental agreements
- —Traditional governance systems
g
Sustainable Agricultural Sciences
Topics include:
- —Indigenous farming systems
- —Agroecology
- —Crop science
- —Soil fertility management
- —Irrigation technologies
- —Conservation agriculture
- —Organic farming
- —Precision agriculture
- —Seed systems
- —Indigenous crop varieties
- —Agricultural mechanisation
- —Plant breeding
h
Livestock, Pastoralism and Animal Sciences
Contributors are encouraged to explore:
- —Indigenous livestock breeds
- —Pastoral systems
- —Animal health
- —Veterinary sciences
- —Rangeland management
- —Dairy production
- —Poultry systems
- —Fisheries and aquaculture
- —Animal genetics
- —Pastoral resilience
i
Food Systems, oi and Agri-Food Innovation
Topics may include:
- —Indigenous food systems
- —Food security
- —Nutrition science
- —Food preservation
- —Post-harvest technologies
- —Food processing
- —Agricultural value chains
- —Agribusiness
- —Traditional foods
- —Indigenous crops
- —Agricultural entrepreneurship
j
Water, Energy and Food Nexus
Suggested contributions include:
- —Integrated water management
- —Water security
- —Renewable energy for agriculture
- —Irrigation systems
- —Hydrology
- —Sustainable energy technologies
- —Nexus governance
- —Resource efficiency
- —Rural infrastructure
- —Climate-resilient food systems
k
Emerging Frontiers in Environmental and Agricultural Sciences
Submissions are welcomed on:
- —Environmental biotechnology
- —Artificial Intelligence in agriculture
- —Digital agriculture
- —Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- —Remote sensing
- —Big data for environmental management
- —Climate modelling
- —Smart farming
- —Environmental genomics
- —Carbon sequestration
- —Blue economy
- —Space technologies for environmental monitoring
Contributions Welcomed
Types of Entries
The Encyclopaedia welcomes entries on:
- —Scientists and innovators
- —Indigenous knowledge holders
- —Agricultural pioneers
- —Environmental institutions
- —Conservation organisations
- —Ecosystems
- —Indigenous technologies
- —Scientific concepts
- —Biodiversity resources
- —Community case studies
- —Environmental policies
- —Historical developments
- —Agricultural innovations
- —Sustainable technologies
- —Landmark projects
- —Biographical profiles
Standards
Editorial Expectations
Contributors should:
- —Demonstrate originality, scholarly rigour and methodological soundness.
- —Include historical perspectives that trace the evolution, transformation and contemporary relevance of the subject.
- —Integrate indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary scientific perspectives where appropriate.
- —Recognise community innovations as significant components of Africa’s scientific heritage.
- —Employ interdisciplinary approaches that draw from environmental science, agriculture, ecology, geography, engineering, economics, anthropology and related disciplines.
- —Respect ethical research standards and acknowledge the contributions of local communities and indigenous knowledge holders.
- —Present balanced, evidence-based analyses that highlight Africa’s diverse environmental and agricultural experiences.
- —Explore practical implications for sustainable development, climate resilience and ecological stewardship.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility
The call is open to:
- —Environmental scientists
- —Agricultural scientists
- —Ecologists
- —Climate scientists
- —Sustainability researchers
- —Agronomists
- —Soil scientists
- —Hydrologists
- —Conservation biologists
- —Foresters
- —Fisheries and aquaculture specialists
- —Veterinarians
- —Environmental economists
- —Policy experts
- —Indigenous knowledge holders
- —Community researchers
- —Historians
- —Geographers
- —Engineers
- —Graduate researchers
- —Members of African and Diaspora institutions
Collaborative and interdisciplinary submissions are strongly encouraged.
Preparing Your Abstract
Submission Guidelines
Interested contributors should submit:
- —An abstract of 500–800 words.
- —A brief biography (maximum 150 words).
- —Five to seven keywords.
- —Institutional affiliation (where applicable).
- —Email address and telephone contact.
Abstracts should clearly indicate the proposed title, objectives, methodology, principal sources and significance of the proposed Encyclopaedia entry.
Process
Review and Commissioning
All submitted abstracts will undergo peer review by members of the Pan-African Scientific Committee and the Editorial Board of the Encyclopaedia Africana. Authors of selected abstracts will be formally commissioned to prepare full Encyclopaedia entries in accordance with the Encyclopaedia’s Editorial Guidelines and Style Manual.
Recognition
Honorarium and Certification
Contributors whose abstracts are accepted and who successfully complete commissioned full entries will:
- —Receive an honorarium in recognition of their scholarly contribution to Encyclopaedia Africana Volume IV.
- —Be awarded an Official Certificate of Contribution acknowledging their participation in this landmark Pan-African scholarly initiative.
- —Become part of an international network of scholars, researchers and indigenous knowledge holders contributing to one of Africa’s most significant knowledge and heritage projects.
Submission Procedure
Abstracts should be submitted electronically to:
Subject Line: Environmental, Sustainability and Agricultural Sciences – [Author Name]
Languages
Abstracts May Be Submitted In
- —English
- —French
- —Arabic
- —Portuguese
- —Kiswahili
- —Spanish
Contributors are encouraged to use African languages where appropriate, particularly when discussing indigenous medical concepts, therapeutic practices and pharmacological knowledge that are best understood within their original linguistic and cultural contexts.
Timeline
Important Dates
Get in Touch
Contact Information
For further inquiries, please contact:
Encyclopaedia Africana Project Secretariat
EMAIL: info@encyclopaediaafricana.com/eapsecretariat@gmail.com
Closing Statement
This Call for Abstracts offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a landmark intellectual initiative aimed at documenting and advancing Africa’s scientific, technological, and Innovative heritage. Contributors are encouraged to bring forward innovative, rigorous, and transformative perspectives.
ISSUED BY:
Encyclopaedia Africana Project Secretariat
On behalf of the Pan-African Scientific Committee (PASC) of the EAP
