Air quality in Africa from the telecoupled perspective: Exploring interdisciplinary and transboundary scientific collaboration between Africa and the Global North
Air quality (AQ) is a transboundary phenomenon resulting from globalized interactions between coupled human and natural systems. Drawing on the telecoupling framework, this article argues that pollution flows, socioeconomic systems, and policy responses interconnect Africa with the Global North and identifies important data gaps for better understanding these interconnections. Through a meta-synthesis of 90 academic and grey literature sources, we analyze the use of satellite data for air quality monitoring, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and African scientific participation. Our findings highlight a strong reliance on natural science approaches, limited integration of social science perspectives, and ongoing marginalization of African voices in shaping research agendas. We argue for a transformative research agenda rooted in interdisciplinary integration, inter-regional collaboration, and data justice. By adopting a telecoupled lens and prioritizing inclusive development, this study provides new pathways to understand, measure, and address air pollution as a global issue with deeply local consequences.
The full article was published online by Cambridge University Press and can be read here.
About the author(s) / editor(s)
Marleen Dekker is Professor of Inclusive Development in Africa at Leiden University and Director of the African Studies Centre Leiden. She is trained as a human geographer and holds a PhD in Development Economics. Marleen Dekker’s research is interdisciplinary in nature and analyses inequalities in accessing markets and local socio-economic development. In a new initiative, Prof. Dekker facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration with natural scientists to develop African air quality and environmental justice.
Posted on 28 August 2025, last modified on 11 September 2025