Dr Fiona Carroll
ECR Teams
CHALLENGE 1 TEAM
Prize Winner
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Community-Based Mentor System for Women Farmers
This project develops a community-based digital mentoring system to support women farmers in adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. It combines local knowledge with technological tools to enhance resilience, productivity, and sustainability in rural communities across Morocco.
Early Career Researchers
- + Amrtia Prasad – Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
- + Anas Knari – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Atman Bouyghf – Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
- + Meryem Maatougui – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Safa Amezyem – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Songdi Li – Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom Item
Supervisory and Advisory Team
Prof Dalila Loudyi
Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering
Dr Issam W. Damaj
Head of Department
CHALLENGE 2 TEAM
Prize Winner
Inclusive Governance and Artificial Intelligence: Ensuring Climate Adaptation that Meets Women’s Needs
This project explores how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to promote inclusive governance and ensure that climate adaptation strategies effectively address women’s needs. The team aims to design frameworks that integrate AI-driven insights into policy and community decision-making, supporting equitable and data-informed climate resilience.
Early Career Researchers
- + Mary Corcoran – Wrexham University, United Kingdom
- + Nudrat Rasool – Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
- +Otmane Hallouch – Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
- + Oumaima Zga – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Rachida El Mansoum – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
Supervisory and Advisory Team
Prof Rachida El Morabet
Professor of Geography
Dr Fiona Carroll
Reader in Human–Computer Interaction
Dr Loubna Mekouar
Assistant Professor
CHALLENGE 3.7 TEAM
Prize Winner
Home Refrigeration and Food-Waste Reduction in Rural Moroccan Households: A Technological Approach to Safe Food-Storage
This project investigates how climate change affects household food safety and waste in rural Morocco, where women play a central role in food preparation and storage. The team explores low-cost, technology-enabled solutions—such as refrigerator temperature monitoring devices—to promote safe food storage, reduce waste, and improve public health.
By working directly with rural women, the project aims to co-design culturally appropriate and practical interventions that support sustainable, climate-resilient food-management behaviours. Through interviews, focus groups, and small-scale trials, the team will assess perceptions, barriers, and willingness to adopt user-friendly refrigeration technologies.
Findings will inform a scalable model for improving food safety and reducing waste, directly contributing to Morocco’s national priorities for climate resilience, food security, and gender empowerment.
Early Career Researchers
- + Abdelhak Bouayad – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Fatima-Zahra Chbadi – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Pradeep Shrestha – Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
- + Rana Kebbi – Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
- + Sanar Muhyaddin – Wrexham University, United Kingdom
Supervisory and Advisory Team
Prof Elizabeth Redmond
Professor of Food Safety, Health and Behaviour
Prof Rachida El Morabet
Professor of Geography
Dr Issam W. Damaj
Head of Department
CHALLENGE 4 TEAM
Prize Winner
Women of the Argan Biosphere: Climate Resilience, Empowerment, and Innovation in a Changing Ecosystem
This project focuses on women’s roles in the Argan Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-protected ecosystem in Morocco that faces growing challenges from climate change. The team explores how innovation, sustainable practices, and local knowledge can enhance climate resilience and economic empowerment for women working in the argan oil and agro-ecology sectors.
Through interdisciplinary research, the team aims to identify opportunities for technological and social innovation that support women-led initiatives in environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. The project seeks to strengthen community resilience and promote inclusive adaptation strategies in the face of ecological transformation.
Early Career Researchers
- Abderrahim Asbbane – Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
- + Alaa Houwayji – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Dounia Azwaq – Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
- + Bouthayna El Amine – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + John Macaulay – Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Supervisory and Advisory Team
Prof Dalila Loudyi
Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering
Prof Elizabeth Redmond
Professor of Food Safety, Health and Behaviour
Dr Loubna Mekouar
Assistant Professor
CHALLENGE 8 TEAM
Prize Shortlisted
Women of the Oases: Preserving Local Knowledge for Climate Resilience and Inclusive Rural Development
This project investigates the vital role of women in Morocco’s oasis communities, where traditional ecological knowledge underpins livelihoods and environmental balance. The team explores how women’s cultural and agricultural practices can inform climate-resilient and inclusive rural development strategies.
By documenting and analysing local knowledge systems, the project aims to design community-based approaches that sustain biodiversity, water management, and social cohesion under changing climatic conditions. The initiative highlights women’s leadership as essential to preserving the unique heritage and resilience of Morocco’s oasis ecosystems.
Early Career Researchers
- + Athmane Khettouch – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Soufiane Alami – Mohammed V University, Morocco
- + Yousra Gamoussi – University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco
- + Zaynab Bouhioui – Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
Supervisory and Advisory Team
Prof Dalila Loudyi
Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering
Dr Fiona Carroll
Reader in Human–Computer Interaction
Dr Loubna Mekouar
Assistant Professor
Funded by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Researcher Challenges scheme.
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