My experience as a Leventis African Biodiversity Fellow

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Adroit Takudzwa Chakandinakira
21st September 2026
3 minutes read

 

My arrival to Oxford was filled with the excitement of possibility. The Leventis African Biodiversity Fellowship was a journey of growth, collaboration, and discovery. As an Aquatic Ecologist working on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, I knew this fellowship would sharpen my skills in statistical analysis and academic writing, while connecting me to global conservation networks. The fellowship surpassed my expectations, with an abundance of enriching opportunities across the University of Oxford.

 

With many members of ICCS at the summer away-day

 

From engaging in conservation science seminars to presenting on the work I am currently undertaking and what we do at Lake Kariba Fisheries Research Institute, the fellowship was hands on and immersive, bridging theory with practice in meaningful ways. I collaborated with Oxford researchers, applying new methods to freshwater ecology challenges back home. The key highlights of the activities I undertook during the fellowship include:

  • Attending the graduate for exhibitions where very insightful research was presented by masters and doctoral students.
  • Undertaking data analysis sessions.
  • The Nature festival held at the Natural Museum of Oxford offered a chance to view the museum while taking part in the side talks and viewing various exhibitions on the conservation of nature.
  • I also attended youth forums, climate leadership events and non-academic conservation writing events which were quite intriguing and helpful.
  • I visited the University of Leeds for research and grant application collaboration.
  • Participated and gave talks in the Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science (ICCS) and Community Ecology Research (CERO) groups in the department of Biology.
  • The British Ecological Society Aquatic Ecology Group annual meeting was inspiring, with workshops that challenged how we frame complexity in aquatic systems and Early Career Researcher talks showcasing creativity and passion. This was a perfect conclusion of my stay in the UK.

 

At the BES meeting

From these experiences, I didn’t just learn new tools, I learned new ways of seeing my work. Slowing down to frame complexity, communicating science across audiences, and thinking critically about conservation challenges became second nature.

Oxford itself was part of the learning: quiet libraries, lively seminars, and conversations with fellows from diverse backgrounds. Exploring museums and green spaces reminded me that science thrives in community. This fellowship sharpened my analytical confidence, broadened my conservation outlook, and renewed my motivation for Lake Kariba’s fisheries management. It wasn’t a detour; it was a catalyst.

I am honoured to have been chosen for this lifetime opportunity and I am deeply grateful to the A.G. Leventis Foundation and the University of Oxford.  Special thanks goes to ICCS led by Professor Milner-Gulland and CERO led by Professor Owen Lewis for the mentorship and amazing networking opportunities. I also appreciate the Director General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority for allowing me time away office for this opportunity. This journey has left me with momentum and a clearer vision of what comes next.

Enjoying London’s views

Author

Adroit Takudzwa Chakandinakira | Leventis African Biodiversity Fellow 2026
 Adroit Takudzwa Chakandinakira is a Zimbabwean freshwater and fisheries ecologist whose motivation is rooted in a long standing interest and connection to the lakes and river systems that underpin both biodiversity and community livelihoods. Growing up in a landscape where ecological change is immediately visible and socially consequential, she developed a deep appreciation for the dynamics of freshwater ecosystems and the ways in which environmental stability supports human wellbeing. This early exposure continues to shape her scientific interests and her commitment to evidence based conservation.
She holds a Master of Science in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability, which provides the analytical and conceptual grounding for her work at the interface of ecology, resource governance, and community engagement. She is particularly driven by the challenge of generating robust ecological data that can inform management decisions, strengthen fisheries governance, and support sustainable use of aquatic resources. The interplay between ecological processes, anthropogenic pressures, and policy responses remains central to her professional identity.
As Principal Ecologist at the Lake Kariba Fisheries Research Institute under the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, she works across research, monitoring, and stakeholder coordination to support the stewardship of Lake Kariba, one of Africa’s major freshwater systems. Her role allows her to integrate scientific analysis with practical management and collaborative problem solving.
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