The AIR4LIFE initiative is pleased to announce that the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS has awarded additional funding to support and expand ongoing collaborative research between Moi University (Kenya) and the University of Bremen (Germany). This new support marks an important step in advancing cross-continental innovation in digital public health and environmental monitoring.
The funding reinforces the partnership led by Prof. Dr. Anna Förster and Dr. Gibson Kimutai, enabling the team to intensify their work on next-generation, low-cost air-quality sensing and its integration into digital public health systems. Their work aims to improve how environmental exposure data can be collected, analyzed, and used to inform public-health decision-making in diverse global contexts.
Strengthening a Global Research Partnership
The AIR4LIFE collaboration builds on a long-standing academic relationship between Moi University and the University of Bremen. The new funding from BIPS enables the partnership to:
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Advance technical innovation in cost-efficient IoT-based air-quality monitoring, including sensor calibration, data-quality assurance, and deployment in real-world environments.
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Connect environmental-health monitoring with digital public-health strategies, helping bridge data from sensors with tools for prevention, community awareness, and policy support.
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Deepen scientific exchange between research teams in Kenya and Germany through joint workshops, co-development of methods, and shared datasets.
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Strengthen capacity building, especially for early-career researchers involved in air-quality and digital-health projects across both institutions.
By providing targeted resources, BIPS enables the AIR4LIFE–Bremen partnership to operate with greater continuity and stability, ensuring that new ideas can be tested and refined more effectively.
Supporting Participation in the LSC DiPH Retreat 2025
Part of the newly awarded funding will enable Prof. Förster and Dr. Kimutai to participate in the LSC Digital Public Health (DiPH) Retreat 2025 in Oldenburg. The retreat provides a key platform for aligning the project with current developments in digital public health, including:
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Data-driven prevention strategies,
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Public-health applications of digital sensing technologies,
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New collaboration opportunities with research clusters, and
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Strategic planning for long-term interdisciplinary initiatives.
Involvement in this event ensures that the AIR4LIFE–Bremen collaboration remains integrated into the broader Digital Public Health research community and contributes to shaping future cross-border initiatives.
A Foundation for Larger Joint Proposals
The additional funding also acts as a catalyst for future research development. Over the coming months, the teams will work together to:
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Prepare proposals for major third-party funding calls,
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Expand the scope of sensor deployments across varied environments in Kenya and Germany,
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Explore advanced analytics, including AI-driven data validation and federated learning,
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Strengthen the public-health implications of air-quality monitoring in both regional contexts.
These efforts will position the AIR4LIFE–Bremen collaboration as a leader in linking environmental sensor technology with digital public-health innovation.
A Shared Commitment to Health, Technology, and Global Collaboration
By providing this new round of financial support, BIPS underscores its commitment to fostering high-impact international research partnerships and promoting evidence-based digital solutions for public health. The AIR4LIFE team welcomes this support and looks forward to advancing a shared vision of healthier, data-empowered communities in Kenya, Germany, and beyond.
Further updates will be shared as the project progresses.