Bio Summary:
Eria Serwajja, PhD., is a Ugandan academic and researcher specializing in Development Studies. He currently serves as a Lecturer at Makerere University, Uganda. With a diverse educational background and a commitment to addressing social and environmental issues, Serwajja has contributed significantly to research and academia.
Education:
Post-doctoral fellow at Makerere University Kampala (2017–2019).
PhD in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape (2011–2014).
Master of Philosophy in Development Studies from NTNU, Norway (2006–2008).
Bachelor of Urban Planning from Makerere University.
Research Focus:
Serwajja’s research has primarily focused on the environmental, social, and economic intricacies of artisanal gold mining, land grabbing in post-conflict regions, and gender-based violence related to oil industry developments. He has actively participated in projects examining humanitarianism in protracted crises, political participation of women in Africa, and environmental issues associated with extractive industries.
Professional Journey:
Currently a Lecturer at the Department of Development Studies, Makerere University (since 2015).
Research Collaboration at Makerere University (2015-2019).
Researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Food Security (2013-2014).
Program Coordinator for Young African Researchers in Agriculture [YARA] (2014-2021).
Honors & Awards:
Recipient of various research grants, including NORGLOBAL funding for the ‘Holding aid accountable’ project.
Awards include Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship from the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and Young African Scholars Grant from The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.
Publications Top Noted & Contributions:
Authored and co-authored numerous research papers on topics such as artisanal gold mining, land grabbing, and gender-based violence.
Contributions to conferences and workshops on displacement, environmental justice, and sustainable development.
Book Chapter: “Self-reliance and refugee economics in Uganda” (2023)
- Authors: Serwajja, E., Refstie, H.
- Handbook on Forced Migration, pp. 363–376
- Not yet cited
Article (Open Access): “Environmental, health and safety intricacies of artisanal mining in the gold-rich landscapes of Karamoja, north-eastern Uganda” (2021)
- Authors: Serwajja, E., Mukwaya, P.I.
- Journal of Sustainable Mining, 20(2), pp. 90–108
- 1 citation
Article: “Condemned to the periphery: The lived experiences of women in artisanal gold mining activities in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda” (2020)
- Authors: Serwajja, E., Mukwaya, P.I.
- Extractive Industries and Society, 7(4), pp. 1511–1524
- 10 citations
Article (Open Access): “Urban growth of Kampala, Uganda: Pattern analysis and scenario development” (2012)
- Authors: Vermeiren, K., Van Rompaey, A., Loopmans, M., Serwajja, E., Mukwaya, P.
- Landscape and Urban Planning, 106(2), pp. 199–206
- 175 citations
Author Metrics:
Citations: 186 by 185 documents
h-index: 2
Research Timeline:
2006–2008: Master’s research on childhood experiences in Gulu, Northern Uganda.
2011–2014: PhD research on land grabbing in post-conflict Amuru District, Northern Uganda.
2017–2019: Post-doctoral research on the intricacies of artisanal gold mining in Moroto District, Karamoja region.
2018–2020: Investigated gender-based conflicts triggered by the emerging oil industry in mid-western Uganda.
Eria Serwajja’s professional journey reflects a commitment to addressing pressing social and environmental challenges through research and academic contributions. His work has garnered recognition, and he continues to actively engage in collaborative projects that contribute to the development studies field.
