Dr Andrea Wilkinson is a Researcher specialising in Trade and Climate Change and International Relations and Partnerships Manager at Newcastle University for Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. She is a social scientist, with more than 18 years’ experience in co-creating multidisciplinary research and projects in the global south through her work as an international development practitioner and researcher, securing funds of over £1 million to make this work a reality. Her work is often collaborative with partner organisations including businesses, NGO’s and governments with the aim of producing research which informs policy and creates positive change.
Andrea’s main area of research focuses on climate change adaptation through trade, women’s empowerment and poverty reduction.
Her recent PhD thesis investigated the ways in which being embedded in an alternative global production network shaped smallholder coffee farmers ability to adapt to climate change. Exploring issues of knowledge’s, power and embeddedness.
Other Expertise
Other areas of expertise include investigating the role of cooperatives in strengthening democracy, participation and trust within the Rwandan context. Andrea also conducts research regarding inclusive economic growth in Africa, the African craft sector, entrepreneurship, livelihoods and climate change adaptation and education and the role of trade in natural disaster relief and recovery.
Andrea has produced and delivered several adult education training packages including ‘training of trainers’ ‘business planning’ ‘environmental management’ and ‘value addition’ which are currently being delivered throughout Africa.
She has worked in several countries in Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia, including Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eswatini, South Africa, Peru, the Netherlands and Japan.
Areas of Expertise
- Women’s Empowerment
- Poverty Reduction
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Entrepreneurship
- Climate Change Education
- Disaster relief and recovery
