CALL FOR PAPERS: THE FOUNTAIN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES, VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2, 2024
THE FOUNTAIN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES, VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2, 2024
SPECIAL ISSUE OVERALL THEME:
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe and the SADC Region
This overarching theme encompasses the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with climate change and variability, emphasizing resilience and sustainable development. It calls for comprehensive research that integrates various aspects of climate adaptation and mitigation, focusing on agriculture, water management, disaster risk reduction, livelihood diversification, conservation, urban resilience, policy and governance, social inclusion, and education. The goal is to foster collaboration and innovation across diverse research areas to develop holistic solutions that enhance resilience and promote sustainable development in Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
SUB-THEMES:
- Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Land Use
This theme focuses on the development and evaluation of climate-adapted farming practices and sustainable land use planning. Research could explore innovative agricultural techniques that increase resilience to climate change, improve soil health, and enhance crop yields. Studies might also investigate the impact of various land use practices on the environment and how they can be optimized for sustainability in the Zimbabwean and SADC contexts.
- Water Management and Irrigation Development
Effective water management is crucial for agriculture and livelihoods, especially in regions prone to droughts and erratic rainfall. This theme encourages research on advanced irrigation technologies, water conservation methods, and efficient water use strategies. Papers could also examine the socio-economic impacts of water scarcity and propose solutions for equitable water distribution and management in rural and urban areas.
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience
Given the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters, this theme invites research on community vulnerabilities, climate adaptation strategies, and early warning systems. Studies could assess the effectiveness of current disaster risk reduction measures, propose new strategies for enhancing community resilience, and explore the integration of traditional knowledge with modern technologies in disaster management.
- Livelihood Diversification and Economic Empowerment
Exploring viable livelihood alternatives and value chain development is essential for economic resilience in rural communities. This theme focuses on research that identifies market trends, assesses the feasibility of non-timber forest products, and explores inclusive business models. Papers could also investigate the role of microfinance, cooperatives, and other economic empowerment initiatives in enhancing community livelihoods.
- Community-Based Conservation and Human-Wildlife Conflict Management
Balancing conservation efforts with community needs is critical in regions with significant wildlife populations. This theme encourages interdisciplinary research on the socio-ecological dynamics at the community-protected area interface. Studies could explore effective conservation strategies, conflict resolution approaches, and the impact of human-wildlife interactions on both biodiversity and local livelihoods.
- Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion in Climate Change
This theme addresses the importance of inclusive development in climate change research. Papers could examine the gendered dynamics of natural resource use, barriers to youth participation, and best practices for social inclusion. Research might also explore how marginalized groups can be better integrated into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, ensuring that development initiatives are equitable and effective.
- Urban Resilience and Climate Adaptation
Urban areas face unique challenges related to climate change, including increased heat, flooding, and infrastructure stress. This theme seeks research on urban resilience strategies, climate adaptation plans, and sustainable urban development. Studies could investigate the role of green infrastructure, smart city technologies, and community-based approaches in enhancing the resilience of cities in Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
- Policy and Governance for Climate Action
Effective policy and governance are essential for implementing climate action initiatives. This theme invites research on the role of policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks in addressing climate change. Papers could analyze existing climate policies, propose new governance models, and explore the impact of international agreements on local and regional climate action. Research might also focus on the role of civil society, private sector, and community-based organizations in shaping and supporting climate policies.
These themes provide a comprehensive framework for exploring the multifaceted challenges and opportunities related to climate change and variability in Zimbabwe and the SADC region, fostering collaboration and innovation across diverse research areas.
- Climate Change and Variability in Teaching and Research
This theme focuses on integrating climate change and variability into educational curricula and advancing research capacity in Zimbabwe. It invites papers that explore innovative approaches to teaching climate science at various educational levels, from primary schools to universities. Research could investigate the effectiveness of different pedagogical strategies, the development of climate change modules, and the incorporation of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Additionally, this theme encourages studies on building research capacity in climate science, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhancing the role of academic institutions in addressing climate challenges. Papers might also explore partnerships between universities, government agencies, and NGOs to foster a robust climate research community in Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
KEY DEADLINES
- Deadline for Submitting Abstracts 18/10/2024
- Announcement of acceptance/rejection 27/10/2024
- Conference 07/11/2024
- Deadline for the submission of full papers 15/11/2024
- Publication of papers 10/12/2024
Submission of Abstracts:
All the abstracts should be emailed to postgradresearch@cuz.ac.zw.
Alternatively, send to jkayawe@cuz.ac.zw or call +263774938361.
Full Paper (articles) Submission:
- Full paper submissions will take place after the conference.
- Submitted papers must be original and not previously published or under consideration for publication elsewhere while being reviewed for this journal.
- To submit your full paper, visit the Fountain Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies website, navigate to the 'About' section, and then click on 'Submissions.'
- Alternatively, you can submit directly via the following link: https://journals.cuz.ac.zw/index.php/fountain/about/submissions. After accessing the page, select ‘Login or Register,’ and then proceed to 'Submissions.'
- All manuscripts will be checked for plagiarism.
- Only papers with a Turnitin similarity index of 10% or lower will be accepted.
- Authors are encouraged to use English language editing services to correct grammatical and spelling errors.
- Submitted articles should generally be between 4,000 and 7,000 words.
- Manuscripts that are incomplete or do not adhere to submission guidelines will be returned to the author(s) for revision and resubmission.
- Articles should be divided into clearly defined, numbered sections.
- Subsections should be numbered as follows: 1.1 (then 1.1.1, 1.1.2, etc.), 1.2, and so on.
- Text should be in Arial font, with 1.5 line spacing and 2.5 cm margins on all sides.
- The font size should be 12 pt.
- Uppercase letters should be used only at the beginning of sentences or for proper nouns, except for acronyms, which should always be in capital letters.
- Acronyms must be spelled out in full upon first use in the text.
- Quotes should be enclosed in double quotation marks (" "), while quotes within quotes should use single quotation marks (' ').
- Quotes longer than 25 words should be presented as a separate, indented paragraph.
