African food, agriculture, land, and natural resource dynamics
The project (2015-2019) aims to improve our understanding of how changes in the global agro–food–energy system affect countries in the global South, especially in Africa. The project will investigate the economic, social and environmental impacts of changes in land use patterns driven by global development trends through case studies in Kenya, Madagascar, and Mozambique.
Find out more: www.afgroland.net
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.