African Airs: Living with Air Pollution in Côte d’Ivoire

Air pollution is the biggest single environmental cause of premature death worldwide, accounting for up to one million premature deaths on the African continent alone. Some of the main sources of pollution there include excessively dirty diesel, the import of used vehicles that no longer meet European environmental regulations, and the growing use of wood and charcoal. Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, offers a prime example of these dynamics. This project pursues interdisciplinary research on living with air pollution in Abidjan, in conjunction with French physical chemist Cathy Liousse, Ivoirian physical chemist Véronique Yoboué, and their multidisciplinary team of researchers. The project will explore the thirty-year history of the unique scientific collaboration between the two women scientists and trace/analyze the extensive network of experts that they have built. In collaboration with South African photographer and visual anthropologist Potšišo Phasha, the project will also visually explore the lives and work of three cohorts of women studied by Liousse and Yoboué. Long-term outputs include co-authored publications, a book of photos and essays, and a traveling exhibit.