This interdisciplinary fellowship investigates the theoretical and design foundations of aquaponics—a circular food-production system combining aquaculture and hydroponic plant cultivation within Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Although aquaponics enables efficient recycling of water, nutrients, and energy, its large-scale application in Africa is constrained by technical and systemic complexity.
The project unites expertise in aquaculture, plant physiology, environmental engineering, and systems and financial modelling to develop a conceptual and mathematical framework for climate-resilient aquaponics. Within the reflective setting of STIAS, the team will analyse coupled material and energy flows, design a dynamic simulation model, and assess performance under variable climatic and socio-economic conditions. A particular focus lies on integrating fish and vegetable production to enhance resource efficiency in arid and semi-arid regions, using IPCC climate scenarios for site- and time-specific planning across South Africa and the wider continent.
Positioning aquaponics as a conceptual model of circular agriculture, the fellowship aims to advance Africa’s sustainability transition through theoretical synthesis and innovation. Expected outputs include a white paper on Circular Food Systems for Africa, two peer-reviewed publications, and a conceptual model framework adaptable to regional design and policy contexts, to foster transformative, cross-disciplinary research on climate resilience and sustainable resource management.