|
Research interests 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.
Recent publications | View all publications >> Belal, A., Briggs, J., Sharp, J. and Springuel, I. 2009. Bedouins by the lake: environment, change and sustainability in southern Egypt. American University in Cairo Press. Sharp, J., Briggs, J., Hamed, N. and Yacoub, H. 2008. Doing gender and development: understanding empowerment and local gender relations. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers first virtual issue, Women and Geography (March)(Reprinted from Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 2003 28(3): 281-295). Briggs, J., Sharp, J., Yacoub, H., Hamed, N. and Roe, A. 2007. The nature of indigenous environmental knowledge production: evidence from Bedouin communities in Southern Egypt. Journal of International Development 19: 239-251. Sharp, J. and Briggs, J. 2006. Postcolonialism and development: new dialogues? Geographical Journal, v.172 (1), 6-9. Briggs, J. 2005 The use of indigenous knowledge in development: problems and challenges. Progress in Development Studies, 5(2), 99-114. Recent research grants 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). Current postgraduate students
Mohammad Saif Al-Busaidi (PhD candidate)
Dorothy McGuire (PhD candidate)
Orleans Mfune (PhD candidate)
Tom Smith (PhD candidate)
|
|
 |
|
|
