Roy Maconachie

My research in Sub-Saharan Africa explores the social, political and economic aspects of food production and natural resource management, and their relationships to wider societal change. Much of my recent work has been concerned with the politics of natural resource management in West Africa, with a particular focus on the extractive industries, livelihood change and social conflict. My disciplinary background is in human geography, but my work has largely been interdisciplinary in its approach, drawing principally upon anthropology and politics/political economy.

In pursuing my research, I have developed strong international links with a wide range of institutions in Africa, including Fourah Bay College (Sierra Leone), Bayero University Kano (Nigeria) and Makerere University (Uganda). Before joining the International Development Group at Bath, I was a post-doctoral fellow at IDPM, University of Manchester (2007-2009) and IDS Sussex (2005-2007).

Current and recent research themes:
Socio-economic dimensions of small-scale mining in West Africa
Natural resource governance and the extractive industries
Community-based resource management, livelihoods and institution building in post-conflict states
Youth identity politics and rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa
Urban and peri-urban food production and resource management in West Africa
Find out more about my research on natural resources in West Africa here

PhD Supervison

I am interested in supervising PhD students working on topics related to:
The environmental and socio-economic dimensions of artisanal and small-scale mining.
The dynamics of conflict and competition over natural resources in developing countries.
Community based resource management and livelihoods in post conflict states.
I am particularly committed to working with students whose research interests lie in West Africa.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):