ABSTRACT. Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) poses a major challenge to biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods across southern Africa, particularly within community-based conservation landscapes. In Namibia, communal conservancies have played a pivotal role in wildlife recovery and local economic development; however, increasing interactions between people and wildlife continue to undermine household livelihoods and influence community support for conservation. This study evaluated the socio-economic impacts of HWC on household livelihoods and examined how these impacts shaped local perceptions, attitudes, and tolerance toward wildlife conservation across eight communal conservancies in Namibia, six in the western cluster: Doro Nawas, Khoro Goren, Uibasen Twyfelfontein, Sorris Sorris, Otjimboyo, and Ohungu, and two in the eastern cluster: Eiseb, and Omuramba Ua Mbinda.

A concurrent mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative household surveys with qualitative focus group discussions. A total of 220 households were surveyed across the eight conservancies using a structured questionnaire to collect data on wildlife-related livelihood impacts, household socio-economic characteristics, perceptions of wildlife, conservation attitudes, and tolerance levels. Focus group discussions complemented the survey by providing contextual insights into community experiences, local coping strategies, and perceptions of existing human–wildlife conflict management interventions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis to triangulate and enrich the findings.

The study found that HWC imposed substantial socio-economic costs on rural households through livestock predation, property destruction, and associated livelihood disruptions. These impacts influenced community perceptions of wildlife and affected levels of tolerance toward conservation, although attitudes varied across conservancies depending on the severity of losses, perceived conservation benefits, and local conflict management experiences. The findings highlight the importance of integrating livelihood protection with conservation objectives through context-specific conflict mitigation, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and participatory community engagement. This research contributes empirical evidence to support adaptive human–wildlife conflict management and strengthens community-based conservation strategies within Namibia and the broader Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.

ABSTRACT. Research is a creative and systematic undertaking aimed at expanding the existing body of knowledge. It involves the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of evidence to enhance understanding of a particular subject, while maintaining careful attention to the control of potential sources of bias and error. The ultimate purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, concepts, ideas, and innovations that can influence society and contribute to improvements in everyday life. Higher education institutions in Zambia undertake substantial research through undergraduate and postgraduate student research projects. However, the extent to which these research outputs are utilized and their contribution to national development have not been adequately documented and evaluated. In view of the potential benefits of research to society and the economy, this study seeks to examine the utilization and contribution of research generated within higher education institutions to national development in Zambia. Specifically, the study aims to: (i) assess the utilization of higher education research in national development; (ii) identify practical applications of higher education research that contribute to national development; and (iii) explore opportunities for expanding the utilization of graduate research to support national development. The study is expected to contribute to the existing body of literature on higher education research and its role in national development, while providing useful insights for future researchers, policymakers, and higher education institutions. Furthermore, the study seeks to highlight practical examples and case studies of research outputs that have been successfully applied to address developmental challenges in Zambia. A sample of 30 participants will be purposively selected, with additional participants identified through snowball sampling. The study will adopt a qualitative approach to obtain in-depth insights into the utilization and developmental contribution of higher education research.

ABSTRACT. Insect diversity was assessed using Hill numbers (species richness - q0, Shannon diversity - q1 and Simpson diversity - q2). Functional guild structure was evaluated using PERMANOVA, while relationships between vegetation characteristics and insect diversity were examined using regression models. Species richness did not differ significantly among treatments (one-way ANOVA, F = 1.899, p = 0.171), although LDS recorded the highest mean richness. Shannon diversity (F = 3.823, p = 0.0307) and Simpson diversity (F = 3.53, p = 0.0394) differed significantly, with both indices higher in LWS than DS (Tukey’s HSD, p = 0.0327 and p = 0.0352, respectively). Functional guild composition did not differ significantly among treatments (PERMANOVA, R² = 0.149, p = 0.477). Vegetation characteristics were not significant predictors of species richness (PC1, p = 0.729, PC2, p = 0.654), Shannon diversity (model p = 0.262), or Simpson diversity (model p = 165). Overall, prescribed seasonal burning was associated with differences in diversity and species dominance but not in species richness or overall functional guild composition. Maintaining a mosaic of burned and unburned areas and conducting long-term monitoring are recommended to support insect biodiversity and inform sustainable fire management.