Mode

Hybrid: virtual & in-person

Registration & livestream

Conference information and livestream available through the National Museums of Kenya conference platform: https://scientificconference.co.ke/

Agenda

To view the event schedule click here.

Overview 

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS), through its participation in the EU-funded SD-WISHEES Project (Supporting and Developing Widening Strategies to Tackle Hydroclimatic Extreme Events: Impacts and Sustainable Solutions for Cultural Heritage), will participate in the 2nd Joint International Scientific Conference hosted by the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) in Nairobi from 8–12 June 2026.

The conference brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, development partners, conservationists, and heritage professionals to explore innovative approaches for harnessing biodiversity and cultural heritage for economic transformation. The event provides an important platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, scientific exchange, policy engagement, and partnership building across Africa and beyond.

As part of the collaboration between AAS and NMK, AAS will contribute scientific knowledge and thought leadership through presentations by Dr. Boniface Ushie, Head of Programmes, and Dr. James Mushori, Senior Programmes Officer – Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. The presentations draw on findings from the SD-WISHEES project and focus on strengthening resilience at the intersection of water systems, climate change, and cultural heritage.

The conference aligns closely with AAS’s mission of accelerating the translation of science into policy and practice while promoting evidence-informed solutions to address Africa’s development challenges. The event also provides opportunities to strengthen partnerships, increase the visibility of AAS programmes, and contribute to science-policy discussions on biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and heritage management.

AAS Presentations

1.    Co-creating Innovation Pathways for Water–Climate–Cultural Heritage Resilience: Evidence from Multi-Regional Stakeholder Engagement

Presenters: Dr. Boniface Ushie and Dr. James Mushori

This presentation highlights findings from stakeholder consultations conducted across Africa, Europe, and the Balkans under the SD-WISHEES project. It examines how co-creation, local ownership, and cross-sectoral coordination can support implementation of water-climate-cultural heritage solutions and identifies critical barriers such as institutional fragmentation, financing gaps, and limited technical capacity.

2.    From Research to Uptake: Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementing Water–Climate–Heritage Solutions in Africa

 Presenters: Dr. James Mushori and Dr. Boniface Ushie

This presentation explores how research findings can be translated into policy and practice within the Water–Climate–Cultural Heritage nexus. Drawing on evidence from literature reviews and stakeholder consultations, the presentation proposes practical pathways for improving uptake of research-informed solutions and strengthening climate resilience through inclusive governance and community-centred implementation.

Objective

• Showcase AAS and SD-WISHEES contributions to research and innovation on water, climate, and cultural heritage resilience.

• Share evidence and lessons emerging from multi-regional stakeholder engagement processes.

• Strengthen science-policy dialogue on biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and heritage management.

• Promote research uptake and implementation of stakeholder-informed solutions.

• Enhance strategic partnerships between AAS, NMK, universities, policymakers, and international collaborators.

• Increase visibility of AAS programmes and knowledge products.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased visibility of AAS and SD-WISHEES research outputs.

• Enhanced knowledge exchange among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

• Strengthened partnerships and collaboration opportunities in biodiversity, climate, and heritage sectors.

• Greater awareness of integrated approaches linking water systems, climate adaptation, and cultural heritage resilience.

• Improved understanding of pathways for translating research into policy and practice.

• Identification of opportunities for future collaborative initiatives and policy engagement.

Contacts

Dr. James Mushori

Senior Programmes Officer – Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

African Academy of Sciences (AAS)

Email: j.mushori@aasciences.africa