Call for Applications: BRIDGES x WIOMSA School

BRIDGES – Fisheries and Biodiversity in the Indian Ocean is an interdisciplinary research program (2024-2034) bringing together over 200 researchers, which aims to co-construct solutions for sustainable and fair fisheries and biodiversity conservation in the SWIO.

The program operates on a regional scale and at four coastal sites (Comoros, Reunion, Mayotte, Mozambique), where it is developing digital models to generate future scenarios and test these solutions. It collects, stores and shares data to enrich projections. The measurement of transformations and impacts will serve as a compass for the duration of the program.

Join them in Mombasa for an intense week of sharing, discovery and collaboration ahead of the WIOMSA 2025 Symposium!

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of social-ecological systems (SES)
• Use concrete governance and planning tools
• Know how to collect, process and share environmental and social data
• Develop skills in stakeholder engagement and co-construction

Benefits

• Networking with international experts
• Field immersion
• Transdisciplinary and intercultural exchanges
• Acquisition of transferable tools applicable to your projects

Costs Covered

• Participation in all School teaching sessions
• 5 days/6 nights full board at a hotel, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks
• Participation in field data collection

Program Details

• Session 1 – Introduction to marine SES
  • Concepts, participatory modelling, resilience
• Session 2 – Governance and conservation planning
  • Tools (e.g. SeaSketch, MSP Index), transboundary issues, informal institutions
• Session 3 – Monitoring and Data Management
  • Data life cycle, (local) case studies (e.g. indicators, GPS, reef-check, MERMAID)
• Session 4 -Transdisciplinarity and stakeholder engagement
  • Participatory methods, mapping, role-playing

Eligibility Criteria

• The school is primarily aimed at participants from the south-west Indian Ocean region, including BRIDGES partner countries (Comoros, Mozambique, Reunion and Mayotte):
  • PhD students and post-docs from the WIO region (priority to BRIDGES partner countries)
  • Marine area managers, marine conservationists and stakeholders
  • Young researchers interested in inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches

Selection Criteria

• Relevant experience linked to the school:
  • Candidates should demonstrate active involvement in the marine and coastal sector of the WIO region, with experience or a strong interest in community engagement, policy development, conservation management, or resource management.
  • Experience in marine and coastal co-governance or co-management, community conservation, research or development will be valued. Young professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated commitment to co-construction: Applications should reflect a clear motivation and explain how co-construction approaches will be applied in candidates’ current or future projects or functions.
• Dissemination capacity (multiplier effect): Candidates must demonstrate their ability and willingness to share the knowledge, methods and tools acquired during the school with their colleagues, institutions or networks.
• Contribution to training: Candidates are encouraged to bring a concrete in progress case study or project, which they can enrich through group exercises and peer-to-peer learning.
• Active participation in discussions, group work and exchanges is expected.
  • Fluency in English: As the school is conducted entirely in English (discussions, group work, documents), a good command of this language, both oral and written, is essential.
  • Availability and commitment: Participants must be available to attend all five days of face-to-face training in Mombasa.

For more information, visit National Center for Scientific Research.