I am studying the role of African elephants in climate change by examining their feeding impacts on vegetation and above-ground carbon dynamics. My research aims to identify demographic and habitat degradation thresholds that could shift their ecosystem role from carbon accumulators to carbon releasers, while also addressing misconceptions about the two African elephant species and their hybrids. As elephants face increasing threats from poaching and escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC) across their range, my work further explores any synergies or trade-offs between climate change mitigation and conservation efforts, and how these are linked to HEC. Learn more on my website: http://www.samuelawini.com.

Researcher focused on exploring topics concerning the impact of sustainability and technology on society and supply chains.

My name is Bamgboye Taiwo Temitope. I am a doctoral researcher at the Water Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit of the University of Oulu, Finland. My research interests include climate change, urban water, energy and food nexus planning, integrated water resource management; policy analysis in developing countries; and interactions with other SDGs to create a more sustainable future and a balanced ecosystem

Using computational methods and tools i.e. agent based simulations to support situational awareness i.e. planning and control of construction operations and enhancing the flows.

I am a doctoral researcher in media studies at Tampere University, Finland, focusing on disinformation, gamification, hate infrastructures, mediatized memories, and political violence. I lead the social media research team for the Luce Foundation-funded project on Muslims in India under Hindu majoritarianism, alongside professors from Science Po, Princeton, and Columbia University. Previously, I was a fellow at Oxford’s Reuters Institute and the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies. I have over 20 years of experience as an investigative journalist, covering environmental justice, human rights, and conflicts in the Indian subcontinent, earning multiple awards, including the Kurt Schork Memorial Award. I have taught journalism at various Indian universities, am a certified media literacy trainer, and have conducted over 40 training sessions in India and Bangladesh. My work has been featured in major international media, and I was formerly India editor of AFP's fact-checking division.

I have worked as a researcher and teacher in higher academic institutions for the last 8 years. I obtained my bachelors in Public Health, and Masters in Biostatistics and Health Informatics. Currently, I am a doctoral researcher at University of Oulu. I am editorial member of reputable journals in my field.

Niti's research interests lie in the intersection between design methods, knowledge systems particularly local, traditional and indigenous knowledges, and participatory social design-driven transformation. She is currently exploring the relationship between post-colonial indigenous research paradigms (Chilisa 2019) and integrated product development strategies for holistic knowledge production that implements cognitive justice (Visvanathan 1997; 2021) for research at the Cultural Interface (Nakata 1997, 2007; Durie 2005). Over 30 years of professional creative practice in design and innovation. This includes 15 years of leading interdisciplinary teams for fieldwork using design anthropology methodologies (rapid ethnography, indepth interviews, day in the life, observations and shadowing in markets, farms, villages, borderlands and more). Fieldwork personally completed in South Africa, The Philippines, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and with local assistance in Benin and Malawi. Networks span the African continent. Public recognition of original knowledge production includes Invitation to mainstage of TED Global 2017 in Arusha Tanzania TEDTalk video https://www.ted.com/talks/niti_bhan_the_hidden_opportunities_of_the_informal_economy

My research explores the links between education and biodiversity conservation. I am particularly interested in how conservation NGOs implement education programmes in rural communities in Madagascar and how they affect local cultures, environments and knowledge systems. I have mainly been doing qualitative research using interviews, focus groups and participant observation as methodologies.

Projects

Unpacking the role of education as a tool for biodiversity conservation

I am a doctoral candidate in the Political, Societal and Regional Change programme experienced in qualitative research and implementation of development cooperation projects in Finland and Latin America. My doctoral research focuses on how the focus of women’s empowerment shifts when Finland’s development aid has been increasingly transferred from traditional development cooperation to the private sector through cross-sectoral partnerships with Kenya. My professional work has been focused on using research to inform project design and implementation in development cooperation initiatives for gender-based violence, gender equality, peacebuilding, psychosocial support, and migration. Previously I have conducted research on Women, Peace and Security, and feminism in Colombia, and refugees, agency, and gender-based violence in Norway.

My doctoral research aims to determine the link between Forest Landscape Restoration and Local Livelihoods in the context of the vigorous expansion of planted forests in Vietnam that is dominated by high-density monocultures of non-native species.