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Name Title Nationality Approval Date Expiry Date Field of Science/Classification Trial Type Research Type  
Catherine Hobaiter
ID: UNCST-2019-R001480
 Social structure and territory use in the chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda
REFNo: NS56ES

East African chimpanzee society is characterised by a fission-fusion structure. The traditional view holds that all of the males within a chimpanzee community will range together and form close social bonds, whilst the females disperse, with less affiliation among non-kin (Wrangham, 1979; Goodall, 1968; Gibly and Wrangham, 2008). Much recent work focuses on understanding the nuances of, and variation within, chimpanzee social structure (see Aureli et al., 2008). We plan to investigate how population constraints, sex ratios, and territorial ranging interact with the chimpanzee communities’ social structures in the Budongo Forest. In particular we will explore how population characteristics and instability in the social structure might influence ranging decisions and social grouping over time. In the Budongo forest there are two habituated communities of chimpanzees: Waibira with around 120 individuals, in which habituation started in 2011, and Sonso with around 65 individuals, in which habituation started in 1990. These two neighbouring groups present a unique opportunity to explore the impact of social and environmental factors on chimpanzee territorial behaviour. Within the chimpanzee fission-fusion social system, members of a larger group form numerous subgroups that merge and split in response to social and ecological factors like food availability, predation pressure, and the presence of receptive females. While communities typically consist of 50-70 individuals with around 10-15 adult males, abnormally large communities exist in Ngogo (over 200 individuals) and Waibira (estimated 120 individuals), where over 30 adult males have been recorded. However, little is known about differences in social structure and associated consequences in these communities. One study has indicated clear subgrouping in the males of Ngogo, who range in two distinct ‘neighbourhoods’ rather than as a single unit (Mitani & Amsler, 2003). The result begs the question of whether this social structure is related to the unusual demographic size or is a consequence of other factors in Ngogo. Is there similar evidence of subgrouping amongst male chimpanzees in Waibira? If so, this may be an indication of the need to manage male-male social interactions when part of an abnormally large community. Indeed, Lehmann and Boesch (2004) reported that subgrouping patterns in chimpanzees of the Taï National Park in Côte d’Ivoire were dependent on total community size and number of males, with smaller communities exhibiting higher cohesiveness and a reduction in fluidity of the fission-fusion system. In addition to the number of individual males influencing subgrouping within a community, the presence of individual differences may also impact the male social structure. For example alpha male chimpanzees are known to exhibit different dominance styles that may be more cooperative or agonistic during their tenure as alpha (Foster et al., 2009). Furthermore, the fate of usurped males after they lose their alphaship may be related to their dominance style (Uehara et al., 2004). Changes in the rank of individual male chimpanzees may also impact the social behaviour of their relatives. While other male chimpanzees, even when closely related, represent possible competitors, female relatives such as mothers, or sisters who remain resident in their natal community, may adjust their social behaviour depending on the rank of their sons and brothers. One external environmental factor that may influence male chimpanzee subgrouping is the presence of human researchers. As we have long-term data available for the Waibira community we can compare the variation in territory use and in male subgrouping over the course of habituation, allowing us to explore the impact of habituation on chimpanzee behaviour. In addition to variation in the number and personality of males within a community, the use of territory and male sub-grouping may be impacted by the behaviour of neighboring communities. Chimpanzee intercommunity disputes are agonistic, and may include lethal aggression, particularly where a single male or small party encounters a larger number of males from the other community. As such they represent a significant pressure on chimpanzee use of territory. The number of males in a chimpanzee community influences how large the territory is, and when food availability is stable and abundant, it is thought that more energy is directed at territory utilisation and defense (Herbinger et al., 2001). Previous work from Kibale has also shown that on a given day, higher numbers of males in a party of chimpanzees will increase their tendency to patrol borders (Mitani and Watts, 2005). As periods of social uncertainty surrounding alpha changes can affect associative patterns and grooming behaviour, especially between males (see Koyama et al., 2017), it raises the question of how social instability impacts male territory usage. We will explore the almost 30-year data set of the Sonso chimpanzees in order to test whether or not the number of independent males, and/or the presence of individual males, impacts the size of the communities’ territory and their use of the areas within it. We will also investigate peripheral territory ranging in relation to alpha male transitions. Understanding the social grouping and ranging patterns over time will shed light on the function and motivation of chimpanzee territoriality. Understanding the ways that population characteristics, social relationships, and territory usage interact has implications for both ecological theory and for conservation management. Research Questions 1. Male subgrouping within communities (lead researcher Ms Bodden) ● Is there evidence of subgrouping or ‘neighbourhoods’ among male chimpanzees in the Waibira community? If so, how does this structure affect cohesion and stability? ● How does the Waibira community structure compare to that of the males in Sonso and how have subgroups changed over time? ● What effect have alpha male transitions had on subgrouping structure in the Waibira males? 2. Male use of territory in the Sonso community (lead researcher Ms Shearer) ● How does the number of independent males, and the leadership of individual alpha males influence the size and use of the Sonso territory? ● What social factors predict Sonso chimpanzees’ peripheral territory usage across seasons? We will explore the number of independent males, the identity of the alpha male, and the proximity to alpha male transitions. 3. Female association and subgrouping patterns (lead researcher Mr Chapoy) ● Do females who migrate from the same community preferentially associate with each other? We will explore the behaviour of the four confirmed immigrants from the Sonso community to the Waibira community. ● Do female relatives of independent males vary their use of the territory with variation in their male relatives ranks? We will explore the physical and social centrality of females who are closely related to males who move into or out of the top three rank positions.
 UK 2018-07-13 2021-07-13 Natural Sciences Non-degree Award
Celia Taylor
ID:
COMPARING THE WORKLOAD AND KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN UGANDA
REFNo: HS207ES

The aim of this research is to determine how CHWs employed by Living Goods in Uganda spend their time and to identify the KSAs they use when undertaking CHW-related tasks/activities; comparing findings between CHWs identified as being “excellent” performers and other CHWs (whom will be “average” performers). The specific objectives are: • To examine the activities undertaken by CHWs during a typical “CHW day”. • To identify the KSAs demonstrated by CHWs as they undertake different activities. • To compare time use and KSAs between two groups of CHWs: those identified by programme managers as excellent performers and a random sample of all other CHWs. • To use the results of this comparison to identify the KSAs that distinguish excellent from average CHWs. • To qualitatively consider the content validity of the current selection process/tools used by Living Goods to determine whether they would help to identify those most likely to be excellent CHWs.
UK 2018-06-19 2021-06-19 Medical and Health Sciences Non-degree Award
Naomi Matthews Eleanor
ID: UNCST-2019-R000918
 Pilot Investigations into giant pangolin, Smutsia gigantic, in the Kibale Conservation Area, Uganda
REFNo: NS50ES

• Learn to recognise indirect signs of giant pangolin and develop survey/monitoring techniques • Identify habitat preferences of giant pangolin • Determine presence/absence throughout the park through reconnaissance surveys and camera trapping methods • Develop preliminary estimates of occupancy, relative abundance and home range size • Gather biometric and behavioural information to guide best practice for future radio/GPS tagging study
UK 2025-10-15 10:31:44 2028-10-15 Natural Sciences Non-degree Award
Helena Newell
ID:
Natural Capital Accounting of the NWSC Katosi Water treatment Project, Mukono District
REFNo: NS51ES

Our objectives are to: 1. Develop and apply a framework for assessing and quantifying natural capital stocks and the ecosystem service provision before (the baseline) and on completion of a development project, with regard to the project’s impact on biodiversity. 2. Where possible and appropriate, value ecosystem service provision in monetary terms i.e. flows of benefits from Natural Capital stocks. 3. Understand how impacts and dependencies on the project’s Natural Capital vary between different stakeholder groups at local, regional and international levels 4. Make recommendations on measures to minimise losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and on measures for the project to achieve ‘no net loss’ 5. Compare these findings to those of an ESIA in order to see how NC approaches enhance and supplement ESIA approaches, and explore the uncertainties and limitations of the NC approach, particularly with respect to data limitations and methods for valuation, in order to make recommendations for future projects
 UK 2018-07-17 2021-07-17 Natural Sciences Degree Award
Cathryn Townsend Megan
ID:
Human Generosity Among the Ik
REFNo: SS201ES

Based on two empirical studies, conducted in WEIRD (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic) populations in the USA and in the Netherlands, we hypothesize that perceived fitness interdependence (PFI) is the primary psychological motivator of altruistic or generous actions in human cooperation and that PFI varies according to both the situational and relational contexts of human interactions. This existing empirical evidence needs corroboration in diverse cultural and ecological conditions in order to support the universal value of the hypothesis. The current study will serve as a pilot to determine whether the PFI scales that we have developed would be adaptable to non-WEIRD populations.
UK 2018-10-30 2021-10-30 Social Science and Humanities Non-degree Award
Jade Siu
ID:
Trade Costs and cross border traders
REFNo: SS226ES

Broad objective: *To understand challenges to cross-border traders’ trading activities Specific objectives: *Understand how cross-border traders’ perspective of the One-Stop-Border-Post *Understand the barriers cross-border traders’ face in their day-to-day trading activities
UK 2018-08-07 2021-08-07 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
Nando Lewis
ID:
Why do people flee their homes for UNHCR refugee assistance in Eastern Africa?
REFNo: SS212ES

This project aims to better understand South Sudanese refugee decision making before leaving their homes and in selecting their destination. I aim to go beyond the conflict causes displacement explanation, to investigate what levels of conflict and how other factors such as food insecurity influence the decision to flee ones home. I am also interested in better understanding why some South Sudanese travel to Uganda, whilst others travel to Kenya.
 UK 2018-07-24 2021-07-24 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
Ben Jones
ID:
Educating institutions: A study of the influence of educated young women and men on local politics in Uganda
REFNo: SS232ES

In the Teso region of eastern Uganda there is a generation of young men and women in their twenties and thirties who are the first in their family to go to school. I want to investigate the effect this generation is having on local institutions – school committees, church groups, village courts, burial societies. What are the political entailments of education? Does education open up new paths to becoming influential? Does it help to reconfigure gender relations? Do educated youth approach politics in new ways? Available research on education in the developing world focuses on its economic impact, or on the spread of modern attitudes, particularly among male urban youth. Less is understood about the political consequences of education, or about the transformations taking place with the arrival of educated young men and, more especially, women, in the countryside.
 UK 2018-12-20 2021-12-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-degree Award
Guy Schofield
ID:
Understanding the Ethical Challenges in the Practice of Palliative Care in Uganda
REFNo: SS219ES

Aim: To explore and describe the ethical challenges faced by palliative care professionals in Uganda, and assess clinical and educational implications Objectives: 1) To describe the range of ethical challenges faced by palliative care professionals in Uganda. 2) To explore the normative concepts contained within these challenges. 3) To investigate how these concepts might differ in content across different sub- Saharan Africa countries. 4) To consider the implications of these findings for palliative care professionals and educators in sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide, including the UK. This application relates to objectives 1 & 2.
UK 2018-09-14 2021-09-14 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
Rosalind  Parkes-Ratanshi Parkes
ID: UNCST-2019-R000717
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE ART ACCESS APPLICATION
REFNo: HS230ES

General objective: To document the process involved in the development of the ART Access Application for health in a resource limited setting. Specific objectives More specifically, the study seeks to: 1) To understand the consequences of interactions between different developers and the end users through observation 2) Develop further qualitative and quantitative data collection tools to evaluate the use and outcomes of the ART Access Application.
UK 2018-09-06 2021-09-06 Medical and Health Sciences Non-degree Award
Alexander Ray Neil Zachariah
ID:
Rethinking the local–international dichotomy in relation for refugee protection and assistance: the politics of practice in managing South Sudanese displacement
REFNo: SS222ES

This research is being carried out as part of the researcher's PhD in International Development at SOAS, University of London. The central academic objective it to understand the governance system for refugee protection and assistance in relation to South Sudanese displacement in Kenya and Uganda. This research is focusing on the interactions between actors as well as how policy-making and decision-making is conducted. In doing so this research intends to rethink and rectify how notions of interaction between the ‘local’ and the ‘international’ are conceptualised and operationalised by refugee protection and assistance regime actors through utilising an approach known as the ‘politics of practice’: the micro- and macro-scale interactions, routines, and strategies exhibited by and between actors which collectively constitute a governance regime.
 UK 2018-08-24 2021-08-24 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
Alex  Maxwell
ID:
'Post-conflict recovery in Gulu (North Ugandan Acholiland): Examining the impact of a decade of ex-combatant re-integration interventions on the coping strategies of communities, their social capital and the state of civil society.'
REFNo: SS243ES

This research aims to explore how viable ways of life are constituted by local communities in the North Ugandan post-conflict scenario. The post-Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) peacebuilding project by the international community in Northern Uganda has resulted in no repeat of violence since the end of the conflict. However, there has been little effort to learn from the Ugandan experience concerning the critical conditions, which enables social repair to become possible following displacement by armed conflict. This research seeks to understand how displacement and return have affected social repair through the perceptions and understandings of the local people concerned. This contrasts with the focus from the perspective of ‘ex-combatants’ in the peacebuilding literature which analyses reintegration interventions. This research focuses on an under researched area: the role of the community in the post-conflict reintegration process. The research uses a case study approach (detailed by Yin, 1989) with a focus on life histories, to examine how local communities in Gulu, often referred to as the ‘recipients’ of international projects, have negotiated reintegration and social repair through their interactions with ex-combatants. Further, the research examines how external intervention has affected the Gulu communities’ own understandings of life after conflict within a ten year period (2008-present).
UK 2019-01-15 2022-01-15 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
Gavin Ackers Johnson
ID:
Assessing the Resistance Patterns of Bacteria Isolated from Cases of Maternal Sepsis at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda; and Further Investigating the Potential Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in the Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtai
REFNo: HS249ES

1. To determine the most common bacterial species that are associated with maternal sepsis at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital and their resistance profiles. 2. To use molecular typing to assess Staphylococcus aureus isolates and determine whether patients are being infected by the same strains, which may provide clues as to sources of infection 3. To identify the mechanisms of any antibiotic resistance observed.
 UK 2019-02-26 2022-02-26 Medical and Health Sciences Degree Award
Julia Downing
ID:
Impact of the Ugandan Palliative Care Nurse Leadership Project
REFNo: HS274ES

The study is aimed at assessing the impact of the original Ugandan Palliative Care Nurse Leadership Programme
 UK 2018-12-20 2021-12-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-degree Award
David Wells Arthur
ID:
How the relatedness information encoded in scent changes with age in wild banded mongooses
REFNo: NS69ES

Determine how relatedness information is communicated and understand why synchronised births are sufficient to prevent infanticide. Determine if juveniles encode the same relatedness information in scent that adults do.
UK 2018-12-20 2021-12-20 Natural Sciences Degree Award
Julia Downing
ID:
Children’s, Adults and Health Professionals Understanding Illness, Death and Dying in Uganda
REFNo: HS276ES

The study aims to gain an understanding of children, adults and health professionals understanding of illness, death and dying in order to inform the provision of palliative care services in Uganda. The objectives of the study are to understand the following questions: I. What are Ugandan adults understanding of illness, death and dying? II. What are Ugandan children’s understanding of illness, death and dying? III. What is the understanding of Ugandan health professionals with regards to illness, death and dying?
UK 2019-04-16 2022-04-16 Medical and Health Sciences Non-degree Award
Pauline Harding
ID:
Ritual, Identity and Ideology: Constructing the Past in Sub-Saharan Africa
REFNo: SS258ES

I am investigating how the past is manipulated to support present-day ideological agendas in sub-Saharan Africa, in order to understand the ways in which new histories are constructed to reinforce and legitimate group identities and ideologies. I will assess where such constructions ¬– for example at museums, educational institutions and heritage sites, and through intangible heritage displays and local neo-traditional (ritual) activities – reveal disparities between academic renderings of the past and histories that are generated by, and for the use of, the public. I will also assess the active role of heritage sites and intangible heritage practices – and therefore the social responsibilities of archaeologists and heritage workers – in shaping societies in sub-Saharan Africa today; and help archaeologists to recognise and appreciate that the past is evolving in the present, independent of their own work and an aging base of historical knowledge. Uganda is a particularly interesting example of this because, while recent historical work there has been limited, an explosion of newly constructed local histories serves increasingly to distort the historical record. The research will generate important information which will be useful to sites including the Uganda Museum as a source of data and debate as they plan their future development.
 UK 2021-05-28 2024-05-28 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
Joanna Hill
ID:
Understanding movement patterns and habitat use of crop raiding African elephants in Northern Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Uganda
REFNo: NS80ES

Objective 1: Create an elephant identification database Objective 2: Determine range patterns and habitat use of elephants using GPS collars Objective 3:Create human and elephant activity maps using satellite imagery Objective 4: Design a package of conflict and poaching reduction measures
 UK 2018-12-20 2021-12-20 Natural Sciences Non-degree Award
Adam Hewitt Smith
ID: UNCST-2019-R001658
 A cluster randomised trial to determine whether increased postoperative surveillance of adult African surgical patients reduces postoperative mortality
REFNo: HS298ES

Primary objective - To determine whether increased postoperative surveillance reduces in-hospital mortality in high-risk adult surgical patients aged 18 years and over in Africa. Primary outcome measure - In-hospital mortality, censored at 30 days if the patient is still alive and in-hospital. Secondary objective - To determine whether increased postoperative surveillance reduces the incidence of the composite of severe in-hospital complications and mortality in high-risk adult surgical patients aged 18 years and over in Africa. Secondary outcome measure - Composite of severe in-hospital complications and mortality, censored at 30 days if the patient is still alive and in-hospital.
 UK 2019-04-16 2022-04-16 Medical and Health Sciences Non-degree Award
Annabel  Morales-Smith
ID:
Assessing local attitudes towards tourism and conservation at Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Uganda
REFNo: SS302ES

This master’s research aims to investigate if park tourism can improve attitudes of residents involved in small-scale tourism enterprises towards protected area conservation, by delivering economic development; using Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in Uganda as a case study.
The research objectives are:
• Measure expectations of residents involved in small-scale tourism enterprises based on their experiences of park tourism.
• Evaluating if recent interventions to enhance small-scale tourism enterprises have increased economic benefits from park tourism and if this has improved attitudes towards PA conservation.
• Assess the sustainability of these interventions.
The research hypothesis is: ‘Local attitudes towards protected area conservation improve when residents involved in small-scale tourism enterprises receive benefits from park tourism’.
And the research questions I will ask to test this hypothesis & achieve the aim of this project are:
• What expectations do residents involved in small-scale tourism enterprises have of park tourism?
• Do local attitudes towards protected area conservation improve when residents involved in small-scale tourism enterprises receive benefits from tourism?
• Do people feel they are sufficiently trained to continue without further interventions?

 UK 2019-05-21 2022-05-21 Social Science and Humanities Degree Award
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