2024 John G. Bene Fellowship recipients

The 2024 John G. Bene Fellowship was awarded to three people. 

Oveka Obroh 

Obroh’s research is titled Regenerative climate smart agricultural crop yield prediction in Nigeria. This research explores the impact of environmental conditions and climate change on crop yields while seeking to develop predictive crop models to support smallholder farmers in decision-making. Obroh is a doctoral candidate at the University of Guelph in Canada. 

Peter Duker 

Duker’s research is titled Fish are friends… and food: The place of rural communities’ riverine livelihoods and local knowledge in river and inland fishery management. This research explores the traditional livelihood practices of the Pgakenyaw community in Thailand, how they have changed over time, and how government policies shape resource management and conflict. Duker is a doctoral candidate in geography at the University of Guelph, Canada, with a focus on fish and food security/sovereignty. 

Zahra Moloo 

Moloo’s research is titled Conservation capitalism and geographies of violence in Cameroon. This research explores the intersection of violence, conservation and racial capitalism in the Congo Basin, with a focus on national parks in southern Cameroon. It seeks to better understand the role of violence against Indigenous people in biodiversity conservation, while exploring alternative conservation approaches. Moloo is a doctoral candidate in human geography at the University of Toronto, Canada, with a focus on land and natural resource conservation. 

The Bene fellowship, established by the estate of John G. Bene, supports master’s and doctoral students who have a focus on forests and their interconnections with social, ecological and gender-based challenges. Since its establishment, the fellowship has empowered graduate researchers to make meaningful contributions to international development through innovative and applied research. 

Learn more about John G. Bene