Prof John Briggs
- Clerk of Senate & Vice Principal (Senate Office)
- Professor of Geography (School of Geographical and Earth Sciences)
telephone: 0141 330 8744
email: John.Briggs@glasgow.ac.uk
My current research interests focus on the relationship between the use and management of natural resources and sustainable rural development in low income countries. A particular interest revolves around questions about indigenous environmental knowledge systems, how these are constructed and re-worked, and how these inform a better understanding of sustainable rural development. The work is also sensitive to gender differences in such knowledges and how these relate to gender relations and roles in natural resource management issues. Current work is being undertaken among Bedouin communities in the south-east desert of Egypt and in the semi-arid areas of north-west South Africa.
I also have a research interest in the impacts of structural adjustment policies in Africa on peri-urban development in the major cities. This has involved field research in Tanzania, as well as the development of a rather more theoretical view in collaboration with colleagues in West Africa.
A long-standing interest has been on understanding the nature of agricultural landscapes in low income countries, with a particular emphasis on farmers' decision-making processes in the context of economic, socio-political and, increasingly, environmental circumstances. Not only is this work theoretical in nature, but it is also practical in the sense of contributing to a more general understanding of the success, or otherwise, of rural development strategies. This work has largely been carried out in Tanzania, Egypt and Sudan.
Briggs, J. and Murphy, K. 2009-2012. Southern African River Assessment Scheme (SAFRASS): establishment of a capacity-building research framework to promote river health and biodiversity in tropical southern Africa, 758,938 Euros (European Commission (ACP Programme)). In partnership with the University of Zambia, Kasanka Trust (Zambia), North-West University (South Africa), the University of Cape Town and the University of Aberdeen.
Briggs, J. and Sharp, J. 2006-2009. Environmental management and sustainable development knowledge transfer and research training programme. £104,540 (Scottish Executive International Development Fund). In collaboration with: North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), South Africa; University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and University of Malawi, Malawi.
Sharp, J. and Briggs, J. 2003-2004. Women's literacy and handicraft programmes. £8,750 (DFID Gender and Development Small Projects). Co-Investigators: I. Springuel (South Valley University, Aswan).
Briggs, J. 2002-2005. Environment, development and sustainability in semi-arid South Africa. £19,500 (DFID Academic Links Programme). Co-Investigators: J. Drummond (University of North West, South Africa).
Briggs, J. and Sharp, J. 2002-2003. Bedouin women's development programme, Wadi Allaqi, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. £9,970 (DFID Gender and Development Small Projects). Co-Investigators: I. Springuel (South Valley University, Aswan).
Briggs, J. and Sharp, J. 2001-04. Natural resource management for sustainable development in arid environments. £25,000 (DFID Academic Links Programme). Co-Investigators: A. Belal and I. Springuel (South Valley University, Aswan).
Briggs, J. and Sharp, J. 2000-2001. Bedouin women and sheep production in Upper Egypt, £8,950 (DFID Gender and Development Small Projects). Co-Investigator: I. Springuel(South Valley University, Aswan).
Briggs, J. and Sharp, J. 2000-2002. Indigenous environmental knowledges and sustainable development in semi-arid Africa, £95,411 (DFID/ESCOR). Co-Investigators: I. Springuel (South Valley University, Aswan).
- Mohammad Saif Al-Busaidi (PhD candidate)
- Dorothy McGuire (PhD candidate)
- Orleans Mfune (PhD candidate)
- Ching Yen Sim (MRes candidate)
- Thomas Aneurin Smith (PhD candidate)