The Tropical Biology Association returned to Mpala in October 2025 after a gap of 3 years – this time in partnership with the British Ecological Society.  The Ecology Masterclass gave 24 young African scientists the skills and know-how to design scientifically robust projects in the field.  TBA’s head of African office,  Anthony Kuria, said “this kind of  tailored and hands on training is crucial if we are to see more African scientists leading the next era of research and conservation across the continent.   Our courses help launch careers and we look forward to following the progress of these young Africans as they apply their new research skills back home”.

Through practical field exercises students learnt first hand the whole process of designing projects from making observations, framing research questions, designing methods and analysing data. Topics included the impact of fire and herbivory, led by Dr Duncan Kimuyu from Karatina University; pollination ecology led by Dr Mark Otieno from the University of Embu, and plant-insect interactions led by Dr Flora Namu from Karatina University.  

Students were then tasked with coming up with their own research projects which they carried out during the last part of the course and presented their results in  a research seminar that Mpala’s scientists and visitors were invited to attend.   

A unique aspect of the course was the diversity of countries the students represented – ranging from Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia and Malawi all the way to Madagascar.  They came from universities (50%); wildlife departments and museums (20%); conservation NGO’s (25%); and environmental consultants (5%).

Students have already made firm connections and life-long friends. Bernard Musamba from Uganda said “it was interesting learning from people working on so many different topics such as human wildlife conflict, plant ecology and carnivores”.  They now join the 3,000+ TBA alumni from 97 countries globally.

Students said that a highlight of the course was how hands on and practical it was – including being given the opportunity to come up with their own research questions – something they rarely get from their university teaching.  They left the course with renewed confidence to apply their critical thinking skills back home on the projects they are working on.  Victoria Mulyuu from Namibia echoed what many of her course mates said when she told us  “this was a life changing course.”

But we need to do more!  The TBA received 900 applications from aspiring African scientists to attend the course – demonstrating the huge demand for this kind of field training.  We hope to build on the course to fund a longer term programme so that we can give the same opportunity to more young African scientists so that we can create a critical mass of research leaders in Kenya and across the continent. 

Author: Rosie Trevelyan, Director of the Tropical Biology Association