The 3rd GDR Colloquium, 2024 International Conference

The third series of the GDR Colloquium

THE 3RD GREAT AFRICAN RIFT COLLOQUIUM

The colloquium is open to all researchers, students
and staff who wish to address issues related to the Great Rift in an interdisciplinary approach. Hosted by Maasai Mara University. Date: 13th to 17th , May 2024

Abstract Submission

Call for Abstracts

The GDR Rift is pleased to propose its 3rd Colloquium to be held in the East African Rift itself, in Narok, Kenya, from the 13th to the 17th of May 2024, hosted by the Maasai Mara University. The colloquium is open to all researchers, students and staff who wish to address issues related to the Great Rift in an interdisciplinary approach. The symposium will focus on four main themes, but any other theme will be considered if relevant. For each theme, topics from the natural and social sciences are welcome.

I. Main scientific thematics

1. Cultural heritage, human and wildlife evolution as a contributor to biodiversity conservation in the Rift

The Rift is arguably a paleontological and archeological epicenter. There exists a
strong cultural integration of humans within wildlife ecosystems and biodiversity
in the Rift that worth understanding, replicating and expanding. The adaptability
of indigenous communities in a dynamic Rift has already been noted, from
prehistory to the present day. What innovative approaches exist to conserve
biodiversity in the Rift ? In particular, what can we learn from the anthropology
and biodiversity conservation nexus with a focus on environmental anthropology,
osteological and archaeobotanical trends in the Rift? These sessions host study
cases that describe repertories of adaptation, from environmental constraints to
political, colonial ones, and how human activities shape the environment.

2. Modeling and AI trends towards conservation of the Rift

The session will report technological advances as an essential transverse tool to
further understand and mitigate the challenges in the Rift. This includes new
methods of exploring the interior and surface of the Rift, i-e mathematical as well as
computer programs employed in studying the Rift. Artificial intelligence (AI) has
seen immense development over the past few years in several disciplines
(geophysics, paleontology, archeology) and we would be excited to see its
contextualization in forthcoming challenges of the Rift.

3. Energy and resources paradigm in the Rift

The Rift present vast supplies of geothermal, solar, wind, hydro and biomass
energy. How can we balance clean energy extraction with other resources and
humanity in the wake of climate change? What new technologies will be at play
which are affordable, accessible, efficient, easy to use and climate-friendly? From
production to consumption, energies and more generally natural resources are the
subject of a large spectrum of studies, applied or not, and certainly deserve an
interdisciplinary approach.

4. Emerging challenges in human and other animal health in the Rift

Climate change has fueled outbreaks and transmission of various human and other
animal diseases in the Rift, such as cholera, yellow fever and Rift Valley fever. What
lessons have been learnt from covid-19 that are worth implementing in the Rift for
zoonotic and viral diseases to humans and other animals? Studies of these current
threats can be compared to studies of the past, concerning both zoonose and the
original condition, namely domestication.

II- Workshop training areas.

In addition to the thematic sessions, oral presentations and posters that form the
core of the colloquium, other sessions will be organised for the exchange of ideas
and scientific collaboration:

– Pedagogical/teaching sessions on specific methods and technologies.
– Networking in an interdisciplinary approach.
– Developing research proposals and managing grants.

III- Field visits.

The first three days of the symposium will be devoted to scientific presentations.
The following two days will be devoted to two site visits, giving participants the
opportunity to discover different places that could be the subject of
multidisciplinary research: remarkable rift geography and human and animal
occupation of a territory.

IV- Application

Please complete the application form below (or download it from the GDR Rift
website) and send it to: rift.colloquium2024@gmail.com
You will receive a confirmation email as soon as your application has been
submitted.
Submission: until January, 12th.
Selection of proposals: January, 26th.

V- Funding

This colloquium is free of charge, but registration is mandatory. The field trips will be financed by the GDR Rift in collaboration with the Maasai Mara University. Flights and accommodation are to be financed by each participant. However, in line with our policy of encouraging scientific collaboration, we will provide funding for a number of participants. Priority will be given to students and young researchers from the Rift countries.