Dr Miora Rakotoarivelo is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Antananarivo's Department of Geography and a Lecturer at the Institut Supérieur de Technologie d’Ambositra, Madagascar. Dr Miora is also an Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Fellow, leading research on climate resilience and urban water governance in Madagascar’s medium-sized cities. Her work focuses on how communities adapt to water scarcity using indigenous knowledge and local innovations. By comparing practices in Ambositra in central Madagascar and London UK, she aims to inform sustainable water policies that support vulnerable populations in the face of climate change.
From drought to determination
In 2021, my hometown of Ambositra, Madagascar, experienced a severe drought. There was no rain, and households struggled to access enough water for daily needs. Agriculture suffered, hygiene deteriorated, and the mental health of communities was visibly affected. Yet, amidst this crisis, I witnessed remarkable resilience. People began recycling water, rationing their usage, and developing local solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge.
This experience reshaped my research trajectory. With a background in geography and sustainable resource management, I had previously focused on forest ecosystems. But the drought made it clear that urban water governance needed urgent attention. I decided to investigate how medium-sized cities like Ambositra adapt to water scarcity and how these practices could inform broader climate resilience strategies.
Research rooted in community
My current project, focuses on resilience and adaptation of cities to water scarcity, drawing lessons from England and Madagascar. It compares adaptation strategies in Ambositra and London, aiming to identify effective resilience practices across contrasting socio-political contexts. The goal is to support sustainable development policies for water-scarce regions.
What makes my approach innovative is its focus on community driven solutions. I explore how urban populations deal with climate crises using local initiatives and indigenous knowledge. These practices are often overlooked in formal policy making, yet they offer valuable insights into sustainable water management.
Through citizen science initiatives in Ambositra, I have engaged with communities to document their water management strategies. These include rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and informal water sharing networks. Such grassroots innovations are not only practical but also adaptable to other regions facing similar challenges.
Collaboration across continents
The AfOx fellowship has been crucial in advancing my research. At the University of Oxford, I’ve gained access to resources and networks that were previously out of reach. Collaborating with Dr Kevin Grecksch at the School of Geography and the Environment has helped me to conduct comparative studies and to establish long-term partnerships. We’ve also agreed to co-author a research paper and potentially to launch grounded projects in Madagascar in a long-term perspective.
I have also had the privilege of working with Dr Neven Fuckar, a meteorologist who is helping me access satellite weather data for regions in Madagascar that lack formal weather stations. With his guidance, I am learning to use cutting-edge tools to analyse climate variability and link it to water availability. This data will help model future climate scenarios and inform adaptive strategies.
A vision for greener futures
My research aligns with the Africa Oxford Initiative’s vision for green futures and healthy people. By bridging local knowledge with global expertise, I hope to contribute to integrated water governance systems that are both resilient and inclusive. As climate change continues to threaten water security across Africa and beyond, I believe that solutions must be rooted in both science and community experience. My experience has shown me that resilience is not just about surviving; it’s about adapting, innovating, and working together.
Dr Miora Rakotoarivelo from the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar was an AfOx fellow based at the School of Geography and the Environment, and was affiliated with Linacre College at the University of Oxford.