Professor of Land Systems and Sustainability Transformations, Wyss Academy for Nature, University of Bern
Affiliated to:
Centre for Development and Environment
Institute of Geography
I am currently a Professor of Land Systems and Sustainability Transformations at the Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern, Switzerland. My research focuses on the assessment of telecoupled land system changes in forested landscapes of the Global South and their impacts on ecosystem services and human well-being. Applying transdisciplinary research approaches, I work toward a better understanding of trade-offs and the identification of leverage points for more sustainable land use and landscape management. Through my research I contribute to the Wyss Academy's mission to transform scientific knowledge into action. We co-design and implement concrete projects across a swathe of regions and countries. This global structure facilitates replication of successes and learning. We currently operate Hubs in Central Europe (Bern, Switzerland), Southeast Asia, East Africa and South America.
I am affiliated to the Centre for Development and Environment, which is Switzerland’s centre of excellence for sustainable development. CDE conducts research and teaching on behalf of a more sustainable world. CDE's aim is to chart pathways to sustainable development and to initiate transformations in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. See my staff page for more information on my involvement with CDE: http://bit.ly/29OQSg8
I am a transdisciplinary land system scientist with a disciplinary background in environmental sciences, geography, and biology. My research focuses on understanding the underlying factors, from global to local scales, that drive changes in socio-ecological systems, particularly in forest-frontier landscapes found in Madagascar, Laos, and Peru.
My current studies investigate the impacts of various land use changes linked to protected areas, agricultural value chains, and large-scale and artisanal mining on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the well-being of local communities. To conduct my research, I employ a transdisciplinary approach that applies a telecoupling lens, and integrates diverse methods, including remote sensing and GIS, participatory spatial mapping, semi-structured interviews, and household surveys. These methods enable both quantitative and qualitative analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues at hand.
Most importantly, I am dedicated to generating scientific knowledge in collaboration with academic institutions in the Global South. Furthermore, I strongly believe in the importance of involving non-academic stakeholders in my work, as their perspectives and expertise contribute significantly to the development of sustainable solutions. Together, we strive to support the crucial transformation towards sustainable development that is urgently needed.