Panel on Eradicating disease/Science Communication in Africa

ANU’S Contribution to Science and Communication in Africa

Thursday 15 September, 2016, 6-7 pm.

Venue: Australian Centre on China in the World

Building

Address:

188 Fellows Lane, ANU

For more details about registering etc., see

https://www.anu.edu.au/events/science-and-innovation-in-africa

Panellists include:

Professor William Foley, Leader Animal-Plant Interactions Lab, ANU Research School of Biology.
Mr Gboyega Adeniran, PhD Candidate, Water Governance, ANU Centre for European Studies
Dr Graham Walker, Science Circus Africa Project Officer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
Mr Matthew Neuhaus, senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, currently Assistant Secretary, Africa Branch

This panel will have two main foci, the first being the decades of work by ANU Emeritus Fellow Dr Howard Bradbury AM on Konzo,

Cassava is a staple food in parts of Africa but If prepared incorrectly can produce a poisonous cyanide compound which can cause death or can result in the crippling disease, Konzo.

Dr Bradbury has worked to eradicate konzo in 16 villages in Africa. by providing health practitioners with both an easy method for testing for cyanide, and the skills needed to encourage communities to use this method as part of their daily routines.

Secondly. the panel will discuss the ANU’s Science Circus Africa project which has resulted in 162 local African staff being trained to perform their own science shows using everyday equipment such as bicarb soda, beach balls and magnets.