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

Happy Mathew Tirivangasi is a political and environmental sociologist whose Afrocentric research lens explores how societies perceive, evaluate, and manage risks in the context of climate change and socio-political change. He holds PhD in Development Studies (JYU), Master of Governance and Development (Uantwerpen, IOB), and Master of Arts in Sociology (University of Limpopo, South Africa). His work spans climate adaptation, health, indigenous knowledge systems, decolonizing climate change, gender, mobility, food security, and resilience always centering African experiences while engaging global policy debates. He also conducts research in political sociology, examining violence, protest, migration, xenophobia, transitional justice, and elections. A prolific scholar, Happy has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals including Climate Policy (Taylor & Francis), Sustainable Development (Wiley), International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management (Emerald), Development Southern Africa (Taylor & Francis), Scientific African (Elsevier), Management of Environmental Quality (Emerald), and the International Journal of Heritage Studies (Taylor & Francis). His book chapters appear with major publishers such as Springer Nature, Palgrave Macmillan, and Rowman & Littlefield. Happy thrives in collaborative, interdisciplinary research environments. He is currently editing multiple book projects with Palgrave Macmillan, Springer, and Routledge, bringing together a large network of scholars from Africa and Europe. These projects collectively include more than 100 contributing researchers. As part of his commitment to academic capacity building, he is mentoring a cohort of early-career African scholars who serve as Associate Editors supporting their growth in research leadership, editorial practice, and scholarly development. Across all his work, Happy is committed to bridging academic evidence with actionable policy insights, advancing sustainable development, governance, and resilience within and beyond the African continent.