Engineering food solutions
This talk runs from 13.00 – 14.00
Can engineering solve food poverty? Hear from a team of the engineers, clinicians and community leaders on how they came together to turn waste into fresh food and improve the health of their communities.
Speakers from The African Oasis CIC and the UK-Congolese Engineers Network Association will explore how aquaponics, bioreactors, hydroponics and community-led design transformed Shelthorpe Garden in Loughborough, and sister projects in Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.
These projects saw a derelict allotment become a year-round growing system feeding hundreds of families a week and enabled mining communities in Central Africa remediate land and water shortages. The discussion will explore how engineering teams work across continents to keep communities, not just technology, at the centre of every decision.
Expect honest discussions of what worked, what didn’t, and what it actually takes to build engineering solutions that serve the people who need them most.
The speakers:
Kasai Mbo is the Co-Founder and Chief Technical Director of African Oasis. He's a mining and materials engineer leading the technical design of the aquaponic and bioreactor systems at Shelthorpe Community Garden.
Dr Karmen Kasai is a doctor in foetal medicine and surgery. He leads the health and wellbeing dimension of the programme, including therapeutic and inclusive growing work with autistic participants and people managing disability or mental health challenges.
Barbara Attridge is the Co-Founder of African Oasis. She leads strategic and operational delivery at Shelthorpe Community Garden, including community partnerships, volunteer coordination and the food distribution network across Loughborough and London.
Brigitte Clements is Managing Director of LOKI Architecture and Strategic Lead at ACAN! Her research and work focus on climate diplomacy, regenerative finance and systems change. She has worked on projects supporting connecting mining-affected communities in the DRC and Zambia.
Kasai Mbo is the Co-Founder and Chief Technical Director of African Oasis. He's a mining and materials engineer leading the technical design of the aquaponic and bioreactor systems at Shelthorpe Community Garden.
Dr Karmen Kasai is a doctor in foetal medicine and surgery. He leads the health and wellbeing dimension of the programme, including therapeutic and inclusive growing work with autistic participants and people managing disability or mental health challenges.
Barbara Attridge is the Co-Founder of African Oasis. She leads strategic and operational delivery at Shelthorpe Community Garden, including community partnerships, volunteer coordination and the food distribution network across Loughborough and London.
Brigitte Clements is Managing Director of LOKI Architecture and Strategic Lead at ACAN! Her research and work focus on climate diplomacy, regenerative finance and systems change. She has worked on projects supporting connecting mining-affected communities in the DRC and Zambia.
This event is part of a series of events exploring sustainable food systems.
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