As part of his PhD training under the APCCO project, Ezra Mugambe Mwesigwa recently participated in the PhD course "Developing Interdisciplinary Green Solutions", held at the University of Copenhagen’s Frederiksberg Campus on November 12–13, 2024.

Organized by the UCPH Green Solutions Centre, the course brought together PhD students from diverse fields working across climate, agriculture, environment, and sustainability. With its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the course provided a timely opportunity for Ezra to critically reflect on his research approach, strengthen the relevance of his work, and better situate it within broader scientific and societal debates.

For Ezra—whose doctoral research focuses on agroforestry systems and their role in supporting farmer livelihoods and climate resilience in Uganda—the course was particularly valuable. As APCCO emphasizes integrated solutions to rural development and environmental sustainability, this course offered a supportive space to explore how agroforestry intersects with ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability.

The course involved peer-to-peer presentations, small-group discussions, and feedback sessions, all structured around key guiding questions:

• What real-world green challenges does my research address?

• How can my findings be communicated across disciplines and to non-specialist audiences?

• What complementary knowledge or methods might enhance my project’s outcomes?

• Are there unintended consequences or barriers to implementation of my proposed solutions?

Participating in this course not only sharpened Ezra’s interdisciplinary thinking, but also equipped him with tools to refine his communication and collaboration skills—critical competencies as he continues his field research and prepares to engage with farmers, policymakers, and fellow researchers in the APCCO community.

The experience reinforced the importance of seeing green solutions not just through disciplinary lenses, but in ways that acknowledge the complexity of today’s environmental and development challenges.