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

Post-doctoral researcher at LUT-University. MSc degree in Financial and Actuarial Mathematics from Wroclaw University of Technology (2007), MSc in Technomathematics from Lappeenranta University of Technology (2008) and DSc in Applied Mathematics from Lappeenranta University of Technology (2011). Specializes in modeling financial markets, time series analysis, statistical modeling, as well as mathematical epidemiology. 9 years of experience in academic teaching (including an award for the best international teacher), covering mainly scientific computing, statistics and stochastic modeling, and calculus. In years 2013-2015 having coordinated the following capacity building projects between Finland and East Africa: NSS East Africa Technomathematics and HEI ICI Mathematics Education and Working Life Relevance in East Africa. Experienced participant in Modeling Weeks (both as a student, instructor and organiser) and Study Groups. Recently organized a successful ECMI Modeling Week at LUT in July 2017.

Projects

Mathematical modeling

My research focuses on topics related to the environmental, economic and social dimension of biomass production. I have participated in a number of national and international projects linked to these research lines, often in the Nordic area. As a lecturer, I have been responsible for several courses oriented to graduate and PhD students, particularly related to statistical and research methods, supply and energy use of lignocellulosic biomass and bioenergy markets and policies, among others.

Projects

Training Masters in Ecosystem Services Management in Protected Areas - ECOSERVE

Decision Support for the Supply of Ecosystem Services under Global Change - DecisionES

Sustainable Management of Forest Resources

Reliability and sustainability analyses of frugal solar photovoltaic micro-grid systems in emerging markets. Numminen, S. (2019). Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS, 71/2019. ISBN: 978-952-60-8513-5 (electronic), 978-952-60-8512-8 (printed). Date of defense: 10 June, 2019.

I am an anthropologist with a long and multifaceted experience in researching Africa and in acting as the PI for research projects on Africa. Thematically I have examined various societal changes that take place in the coming together of global and local regimes of economic and socio-cultural value. My specific research topics include the following: women traders and socio-economic empowerment in Tanzania; youth cultures' and culture industries' social and economic significance in South Africa; music industry structures, practices and value chains in South Africa and Europe; clothing and fashion industry-related entrepreneurships in South Africa and Tanzania; emerging black middle classes. I am fluent in KiSwahili language.

Projects

Youth music and the construction of social subjectivities and communities in post-apartheid South Africa