AfriqAir and CAMS-Net General Meeting

Africa/Kigali
Carnegie Mellon University - Africa Campus, Kigali, Rwanda

Carnegie Mellon University - Africa Campus, Kigali, Rwanda

Description

Event Description

This is a dual-purpose event - it will serve as the 2023 general meetings for both CAMS-Net and AfriqAir and an air pollution conference for air pollution in Africa.

CAMS-Net - https://camsnet.org

The Clean Air Monitoring and Solutions Network, or CAMS-Net, is a National Science Foundation-funded project aimed at creating an international “network of networks” that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and data in order to improve the usage and application of low-cost sensor air quality data.

AfriqAir - www.afriqair.org

Africa qualité de l’air (AfriqAir) is a new hybrid air quality monitoring network with over 50 low-cost sensors and reference-grade monitors mainly in urban areas across 11 African countries. Research objectives include evaluation of sensor performance across the different climates in Africa, integration of ground sensor data with satellite data to expand spatial data coverage, verification of air quality models, and investigation of air pollution health effects.

Schedule

March 7 - Tutorials

  • Hands-on Low-cost sensor training (basics of use, calibration, data analysis)
  • Data sharing and access - Presented by OpenAQ
  • Hands-on regulatory-grade monitor training (PM and gas monitors)
  • Open-access satellite data access and usage
  • Open-access simple modeling tool usage

March 8 - Announcements and networking

  • Intro and welcome from CMU-Africa and AFRETEC
  • CAMS-Net Intro and welcome
  • Keynote panel on recent advances in African air quality (see panel here)
  • CAMS-Net general meeting
  • AfriqAir announcements
  • Breakout sessions
  • Group dinner in Kigali

March 9 - Scientific Presentations and posters

  • Poster and platform presentations - please submit your abstracts by Jan 30!
  • Discussion Panels:
    • Getting most out of LCS
    • African gov't actions on AQ and LCS use by regulatory agencies
    • Combining LCS with other data streams/innovations
    • LCS use in health/impact studies
  • Breakout sessions

 

March 10 - Left open for Side Meetings

  • Email coordinators if you would like to host a side meeting!

Registration 

Registration is free but required and done through Indico. First create an Indico account if you do not have one:

then use the "Registration" tab on the left of this page to complete registration for the event.

 

Conference Abstract Requirements and Submission

Abstract submission should be done through the Call for Abstracts tab on this Indico page. Abstracts for both poster and platform presentations should be limited to no more than 250 words and be given a clear and concise title.

Abstracts related to the following areas will be given priority for platform presentations, but related work is also welcome:

  • Ambient air pollution
  • Indoor air pollution
  • Raising public awareness on air pollution
  • Collaboration and innovation in research

 

Important Dates and Deadlines

  • Nov 1, 2022 - Abstract submission and registration opens
  • Dec 31, 2022 - Abstract submission closes
  • Jan 1, 2023 - Travel support request deadline
  • Feb 1, 2023 - Late-breaking poster submission deadline
  • Mar 1, 2023 - Registration closes
  • Mar 7, 2023 - Conference starts

 

Travel Support

CMU-Africa can provide assistance with hotel booking. If using a conference-affiliated hotel, transportation to/from the CMU-Africa campus will be provided for all attendees. 

Monetary support for air travel, hotel stay, and other expenses can be extended to attendees from all LMICs. Please indicate a request for assistance and provide the information required at the time of registration.

    • 1
      Hands-on Low-cost sensor Training

      Hands-on LCS basics, calibration, data analysis, and companion programs

      Speaker: Mike Giordano (AfriqAir)
    • 10:15
      Coffee/tea Break
    • 2
      Satellite data access and basic usage
    • 12:00
      Lunch (catered)
    • 3
      AirQo Data Training
    • 14:30
      Coffee/tea Break
    • 4
      OpenAQ Data access and sharing
    • 5
      Hands-on Regulatory-grade monitor trainings
    • 6
      “How to access free data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)

      Online training session from Chris Stewart

    • Side Meeting: DOS capacity building Side Meeting
    • 17:30
      Catered group dinner
    • 7
      CMU-Africa and AFRETEC Welcome
    • 8
      CAMS-Net Welcome/Intro
    • 10:00
      Coffee/tea Break
    • 9
      Keynote panel: Recent Advances in Air Quality in Africa + Q/A

      Keynote speakers:
      Evelyne Toure
      Engineer Bainomugisha
      Dan Westervelt
      Didier Ntwali

      Speakers: DIDIER NTWALI (Rwanda Space Agency, Earth and Space Science Division, Rwanda Climate Observatory), Daniel Westervelt (Columbia University), Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha (AirQo), Prof. N'datchoh Evelyne Toure (Université Felix Houphouet Boigny Abidjan)
    • 11:50
      Lunch (catered)
    • 10
      AfriqAir announcements

      Afri-SET
      Breathe Accra
      Rockefeller

    • 11
      CAMS-Net Presentations

      Seed grant presentations

    • 15:00
      Coffee/tea Break
    • 12
      Breakout groups
    • Side Meeting: MOPGA Side Meeting
    • 17:30
      Catered group dinner
    • Panel Discussion: Getting the most out of Low Cost Sensors (supporting infrastructure/best practices)

      Speakers:
      1) Garima Raheja (Columbia University)
      2) Deo Okure (Airqo)
      3) Rose Alani (U. Lagos)
      4) Jovito Nunes (CISM)
      5) Constant Cap (Code for Africa)

      Conveners: Albert A Presto (Carnegie Mellon University), Allison Felix Hughes, Deo Okure
    • 10:15
      Coffee/tea Break
    • Panel Discussion: African gov't actions on Air Quality and LCS use by regulatory agencies

      Speakers:
      1. Emmanual K-E Appoh (Envirofin)
      2. Jackie Klopp (Columbia University)
      3. Alex Ndyabakira (Kampala Capital City Authoirty)
      4. Maurice Kavai (Nairobi County govt, AQ/Climate)
      5. Victoria Owusu Tawiah (Ghana Meteorological Agency, CAF)

      Conveners: DIDIER NTWALI (Rwanda Space Agency, Earth and Space Science Division, Rwanda Climate Observatory), Daniel Westervelt (Columbia University)
    • 11:45
      Lunch (catered)
    • Poster Session
    • Panel Discussion: Combining LCS with other data streams/innovations

      Speakers:
      Matthias Beekmann (Universite de Paris Creteil / CNRS)
      Allison Hughes (University of Ghana)
      Mike Giordano (AfriqAir)
      Sheldon Drobot (Ball Aerospace)

      Convener: Mike Giordano (AfriqAir)
    • 15:00
      Coffee/tea Break
    • Panel Discussion: LCS use in health/impact studies

      Speakers:
      1) Evelyne Toure (Université Felix Houphouet Boigny, Cote d'Ivoire)
      2) Nomsa Thabethe (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)
      3) Samuel Etajak (Makerere SPH, Uganda)
      4) Emilia Tjernstrom (Monash University, Australia and co-founder of AfriqAir)
      5) Kofi Amegah (University of Cape Coast, Ghana and co-founder of AfriqAir)

      Conveners: Kofi A. Amegah, R. SUBRAMANIAN (Univ Paris Est Créteil and Université de Paris)
    • 13
      Side meetings

      TBD