The Society supports field research activities in many parts of the world. These activities range from those undertaken by students at the start of their academic careers to support for postgraduate research.
Below is a selection of recent field research projects that have addressed the Millennium Development Goals and provide examples of the types of activities individual supported through the ILCB programme might undertake.
In focusing on individuals at an early stage in their careers, the ILCB is directly engaging with them at a formative stage. This is a time when they develop their skills, take responsibility for planning field activities and gain support through our remote and in-country mentoring programmes.
More details of other field research and expedition activities undertaken by students can be found by searching our expedition database of over 5,000 reports.
Ecuador
Amazonian Community Development and Research Expedition Pavachachi, Ecuador Kat Powell, Anglia Ruskin University, 2007
The aim of this expedition was to support the community of the villages of Las Palmas and Cosanga in an area of cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes near to the town of Baeza, province of Quijos.
Investigations were carried out into community income sources, tourism, human-wildlife conflict and farming systems.
Shiwiar/Cuyacocha Rainforest Initiative, Ecuador Sarah Dixon, 2000
In collaboration with an Ecuadorian NGO 'ONSHIPAE' the UK-Ecuador team ran workshops on dollarisation, health, and sustainable development in remote rainforest for indigenous peoples. Research was carried out on local biodiversity and the Shiwiar culture.
Indonesia
Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project McLardy, Nottingham University 2003
The orangutan Tropical Peatland Research Project is a conservation research and education group concerned with protecting the globally-important Sebangau peatland ecosystem and its population of orangutans. A comprehensive study of the logging extraction canal network is planned to demonstrate the damaging effects of these canals and map the network and identify priority areas for damming.
The Anoa Conservation Project James Burton, University of North London 2000 & 2001
This project investigated the geographical distribution and habitat preferences of Anoa (dwarf buffalo), using GIS and other methods, to identify areas of high conservation value. The aim of the Anoa Conservation Project was to provide sufficient information for the management and conservation of wild Anoa stocks and captive breeding programmes.
Uganda
Elephants, Crops and People Michael Keigwin, 2000-2002
The project aims to examiner the root causes of elephant-human interaction and to develop a practical mechanism to predict and mitigate future conflicts through preventative plans. Research is on-going and has led to the setting up of an NGO in Uganda run by Ugandans to continue this work.
Uganda: Water quality, quantity and health? Elizabeth Zeilger, UCL 2003 Undergraduate students from the Department of Geography at University College London worked with the collaborators at Makere University, Kampala to contribute to the assessment and improvement of water supply programmes run by the Water Development Directive, Hoima.