On the Wednesday 4th December, we have the pleasure of listening to not one but two speakers: Johannes Dirk Dingemanse, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia and Asbjørn Frederik Kloppenborg, Aarhus University, Section for Environment, Occupation & Health.

• Johannes Dirk Dingemanse will talk about “Tapping research potential in a low-resource environment: low-cost sensor development and student science at Arba Minch University, Ethiopia”.  

  Abstract: In a low-income country like Ethiopia, resources for air quality monitoring are low, leading to a lack of insight in the level of air pollution, and a lack of experience training for the local research community.  There is untapped potential of research: if local researchers can be empowered, both insight and experience will grow. At Arba Minch University, Ethiopia, two low-resource solutions are used to tap this potential: development of low-cost sensor systems, and letting students conduct research as part of a course (student science). A PM2.5 sensor system was developed by a local team. It was tested and used at ambient and indoor locations. Also, in 2019-2024, 435 undergraduate students created measurement plans and collected, analyzed, and reported air quality data from their own environment as part of a course. The highest data quality for the lowest workload is reached with commercially available instruments and professional data collectors. The local development of a sensor system required more effort. The use of student science required strong involvement for data quality assurance, and confined data collection to student schedules. In a low-resource context, however, these two methods can mean the difference between being dependent on external funding or conducting research independently. And, if funding is available, allocation is more sustainable if it is used to promote and validate the application of low-cost methods with local staff. This will increase the expertise of local staff and help them to continue when the funds are finished.

   

• Asbjørn Frederik Kloppenborg will talk about: “From Ambient to Personal Exposure Assessment: Enhancing Health Research with Personal PM Sensors.” 
  Abstract: “A presentation from a health science perspective, highlighting the potential advancements in personal PM sensors and their role in environment and health research. To realise the full potential of these sensors and meet scientific standards, collaboration between engineers and health researchers is essential.“

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