Professor, Faculty of Forestry & CoastMan Africa Project Principal Investigator (PI)
University of British Columbia, Canada
Professor Sunderland’s work focuses on the biological and human dimensions of the sustainable management and utilization of tropical forests. He was previously a Senior/Principal Scientist at the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesia, where he coordinated CIFOR’s work on forests and food security, biodiversity conservation, and integrated landscape management. Prior to 2006, he was based in West Africa for over 15 years and worked on numerous conservation and livelihood-focused initiatives. Having both a field practitioner and academic background gives him a wide perspective on conservation, livelihoods and issues related to sustainable landscape management. Terry has a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Oxford and a PhD from the University of London. Has published more than 320 research papers, book chapters and edited books and supervised many graduate studies related to tropical forestry, focusing particularly on the capacity of developing country scientists. Terry is an active blogger, social media user, and engages regularly with the media on disseminating research for policy influence and outreach. Project management experience: Has been PI/Co-PI on many multi and interdisciplinary development projects in many parts of the world; including large projects in Guinea and Sierra Leone (USAID), Burkina Faso (Finnish aid), Indonesia, Zambia & Ghana (German development aid), the Sahel (Austrian aid), Indonesia (Gates Foundation), Sulawesi, Indonesia (Global Affairs Canada) and Lower Mekong (MacArthur Foundation).
University Killam Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics
University of British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Rashid Sumaila, PhD in Economics, specializes in bioeconomics, marine ecosystem valuation and the analysis of global issues such as fisheries subsidies, illegal fishing, ocean finance, climate change and oil spills. Co-director of the 6-year Partnership, “Solving the Sustainability Challenges at the Food-Climate-Biodiversity Nexus” (Solving-FCB). Has relevant regional and country-level experience and a network that will ensure the findings are of sufficient granularity. Roles: Co–applicant, with active coordination role of activities across WPs. He will actively participate in research design, methodology, and data analyses of WP3.
Research Associate in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics
University of British Columbia, Canada
Dr. Ibrahim Issifu, PhD in Economics, is a Research Associate in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics at the University of British Columbia.
Specializing in blue food assessment, marine plastic pollution, and climate change adaptation. Ibrahim brings over a decade of field and research experience. Within the Coastman project, he plays an active research role in Work Package 3 (WP3) and participates in data collection and analysis across other work packages. He is also a key contributor to the six-year partnership “Solving the Sustainability Challenges at the Food-Climate-Biodiversity Nexus” (Solving-FCB).
Ibrahim’s expertise spans several analytical tools, including Python, Stata, and Microsoft Excel. He has been notably contributed to the Blue Food Assessment project, a key component of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and Distant Water Fishing (DWF) across several African nations, providing valuable insights into the impact of DWF on food security and sustainability in coastal communities. His extensive regional and country-level experience, combined with a strong professional network, ensures that his findings are comprehensive and detailed. Ibrahim’s work significantly contributes to the development of decision support systems for coastal mangrove-based socio-ecological systems in Eastern and Western Africa.
Lecturer in Environmental Science
University of Dundee, United Kingdom
Knowledge, background and expertise: Dr Morel is an interdisciplinary researcher working at the interface of environmental change and development. Has a background in terrestrial ecology, remote sensing, ecosystem services and poverty alleviation working in several political and geographic contexts, with over 30 publications across these topics. Completed MSc in Environmental Change and Management and PhD in Geography at the University of Oxford. Has almost 10 years of experience working in Ghana and 6 years working in East Africa, particularly understanding community dependence on local ecology. Project management experience: Dr Morel has managed multi-country projects assessing the impacts of climate extremes on livelihoods and crop productivity as well as disseminating results for local partners, governments and international donors Roles: co-leading WPs 2 and 6 with Prof van Blerk to coordinate understanding of the social dynamics of both national contexts with the environmental and governance knowledge collected by WPs 3 and 4, ensure co-produced outcomes with local communities and the effective communication and dissemination of the research.
Professor of Human Geography
University of Dundee, United Kingdom
Knowledge, background and expertise: Lorraine’s research sits at the intersection of social and development geography with particular expertise in the Geographies of Children and Youth in the global South, notably in eastern and western Africa and particularly with communities where poverty alleviation is a core and critical issue. Has over 80 publications (4 books and over 80 papers in international peer-reviewed journals) on these topics with methodological expertise in co-produced research and knowledge exchange; qualitative and participatory methods, collaborative story mapping and has led large-scale surveys in remote rural communities. Project management experience: 6 has led several related large-scale, multi-country projects including Growing up on the Streets, a 10-year co-produced research program with homeless youth in Ghana, Zimbabwe and DRC; as well as projects in eastern and southern Africa examining issues related to refugee youth transitions, rural youth food security and sustainable livelihoods, and the impacts of social cash transfers on intergenerational poverty trajectories. Recently established a new area of work within refugeeNFRFI-2023-00531 [Proposal]4communities combining remote sensing and social science to understand the displacement-environment livelihoods nexus. Roles: Co-PI, Member of Project Management Team (PMT), co-leads WPs 2 & 6 with Dr Morel contributor to WPs 3 & 4.
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
University of Dundee, United Kingdom
Knowledge, background and expertise: Carlo is a political geographer interested in cross-cutting themes around critical ocean studies, the Blue Economy, and the political economy of climate finance and ocean governance. He holds a BA from the University of Naples L’Orientale (Italy), a MA from SOAS, University of London, a MA from the University of Sussex, a PGCert from Durham University and is near completion of his PhD in Geography at Durham University. He has worked extensively with qualitative methods in the Western Indian Ocean, and the Republic of Seychelles in particular, to explore the politics surrounding the surge of the Blue Economy paradigm as the latest development frontier at the intersection of environmental sustainability, social wellbeing, and economic prosperity. Roles: Postdoctoral research fellow for WP 2 and 6 and contributors to WP 3 and 4.
Research scientist, Forest & Climate
Norwegian Institute of Bioconomy Research (NIBIO), Norway
Knowledge, background and expertise: Research scientist, Forest & Climate since 2013, and Africa Coordinator at Center for International Development (CID) since 2015. Education in both natural sciences (PhD in Forest sciences) and social sciences (MSc in Development and Resource Economics). Dr Zeleke has 15 years of experience in applied research and development, as well as project leadership, most of which is in Eastern and Western Africa, funded by the government of Norway; published 20 research articles of relevance to CoastMan. Project management experience: Project Manager- Climate and private sector development Kenya (2018-2022); project manager and Work Package Leader- Forest Landscape Restoration in Ethiopia (2017-2024), Co-coordinator and International Advisor for the program National Carbon Monitoring Center of Tanzania (2013-2023); & a researcher and a project management team member One Health project (Ethiopia and Malawi 2021-2026). Role: Co-PI for the project management and member of PMT, with an active coordination role of activities across WPs. Will actively participate in research design, methodology, data collection and analyses and dissemination of results (WP1, WP4).
Researcher
Norwegian Institute of Bioconomy Research (NIBIO), Norway
Knowledge, background and expertise: Dr Alemu previously worked as a researcher at the University of Oslo (UiO) and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) since 2010. Holds master in Range Management (1999) and a PhD in Management of Natural Resources (2010) from NMBU. More than 20 years of research and teaching experience focusing on patterns and processes in agricultural and natural landscapes, climate change, land-use/cover analysis, and biodiversity conservation. Solid ecological modelling/statistical background with proven skills in R/Rstudio, ArcGIS, QGIS, etc. Published over 40 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, all directly pertinent to the proposal’s subject matter. Project management experience: Dr Alemu possesses project leadership skills and worked with interdisciplinary multicultural teams. Co-led various projects related to conservation biology and natural resources management both in Africa and Scandinavia. Roles: Dr Alemu will co-lead WP4 and actively participates in research design, methodology, data collection and analyses and dissemination of results for WP4 and contributes to data analyses across other WPs.
Researcher
Norwegian Institute of Bioconomy Research (NIBIO), Norway
Knowledge, background and expertise: Dr. Alem has a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Economics from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). Dr. Alem is a research scientist in the Department of Economics and Society at NIBIO since 2011. Previously worked as a researcher for the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. Dr. Alem has an impressive track record of over 20 years of valuable experience in applied research in Europe and Africa. Project management experience: Dr. Alem is the coordinator of the SYSTEMIC project (2019-2024), which has a primary focus on achieving food and nutrition security while considering the challenges posed by climate change in eight EU countries. Additionally, actively participates in other projects in Africa and EU. Roles: Play an active research role in WP2, will be involved in data analysis across the other work packages (WPs).
Associate Professor
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NBMU), Norway
Knowledge, background and expertise: Dr Debella-Gilo has PhD in Geomatics and Remote Sensing and MSc in Physical Geography and Geomatics from the University of Oslo, where later had adjunct associate professor position. Has Certificate of AI Engineering from IBM. Has more than 15 years of experience in research, development, and teaching on the use of remote sensing in wide areas of applications particularly forestry, agriculture, landscape and urban environments. Has been also implementing machine learning and deep learning methods on remote sensing data. Project management experience: Project leader of operational project for national forest mapping called SR16 (2015-2018), WP leader in the Geospatial big data project (2018-2021), a task leader in the BioSmart project (2015 – 2019) where the biophysical variables of bioeconomic industrial clusters were analyzed and mapped. WP leader in a project co-financed by the Norwegian Space Agency and NIBIO focused on the use of Copernicus satellite data for agriculture (2018-2022). Roles: Leader- WP1; participate actively in WP4 and contributes to WP5.
Researcher
Norwegian Institute of Bioconomy Research (NIBIO), Norway
Knowledge, background and expertise: Dr Bayr holds a PhD in Physical Geography from the University of Oslo (2021).NFRFI-2023-00531 [Proposal]5Main fields of research are landscape ecology, land use change, vegetation science and biodiversity in cultural landscapes. Has experience in using GIS/RS for geospatial analysis and performing statistical analysis and programming in R. Project management experience: Dr Bayr has participated in different projects at NIBIO and is currently project leader of the project «light pollution and insects», financed by the Norwegian Road Authority. Roles. Bayr will actively participate in the activities of WP1 and WP4.
Researcher, Geomatics
Norwegian Institute of Bioconomy Research (NIBIO), Norway
Knowledge, background and expertise: Education in GIS/Remote sensing and Environmental sciences. He has almost 20 years of work experience mainly applying GIS/RS for different environmental issues, including climate change impacts on coastal zones. He designed and developed several DSS, including DESYCO, a DSS for climate change risk assessment on coastal zones. Project management experience: He has been project manager/WP leader of several projects at NIBIO and previous working organization in Italy. Donors were both national and international (e.g., EU). Roles: Leader of WP5, contributor in WP1, and responsible for project data management.
Senior Lecturer and Safeguard Information system officer, Dept. of Ecosystems and Conservation and National Carbon Monitoring Centre
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
Knowledge, background and expertise: Senior Lecturer and Safeguard Information system officer, Dept. of Ecosystems and Conservation and National Carbon Monitoring Centre. Forest Ecologist (PhD) by training, Forest Management (MSc). Studies interactions between humans and ecosystems on earth, with a focus on forest structure, changing agriculture and agroforestry landscapes, and the carbon cycle. Applied research solving grassroots conservation and ecosystem management challenges. Project management experience: Co-founded and technically advised Reforest Africa. Consultant for restoration, biodiversity, carbon trade, forest stewardship auditing (FSC) since 2008. Has over 50 publications in peer review journals; supervisor of 4 PhD and 10 MSc students; Helped develop 9 funded research projects in Africa and Europe (2015-2023). Roles: Coordinator for Tanzania across WPs. Participates in research design, methodology, data collection and analyses, and dissemination of results across WPs and co-lead WP4.
Researcher & Lecturer, Consultant in ecological studies
Mkwawa University College of Education, Tanzania
Knowledge, background and expertise: Extensive experience in climate change projects, biodiversity, ecosystem services and carbon assessment, REDD+ pilot project: Enhancing Tanzanian Capacity to Deliver Short and Long-Term Data on Forest Carbon Stocks (including the mangrove ecosystem) (2011-2015), Integrating Livelihoods and Multiple Biodiversity Values in Wetlands Management (2010-2014) and Development Corridors Partnership (Kenya and Tanzania, 2019-2021). Team leader for biodiversity baseline studies for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). Roles: Co–Applicant, with active coordination role of activities across, research design, methodology, data collection and analyses, and dissemination of results (WP4).
Secretary CBO (Community Based Organisation), Environmental Conservation
Tanzania
Knowledge, background and expertise: CBO has been actively involved in mangrove restoration campaigns in the coasts of Lindi and Mtwara Regions. Mr Jilala holds a BSc in Wildlife and Management and MSc. in Ecosystem Science and Management. Has 10 years of experience in the Participatory Forest Management Program funded by Denmark and Finland as a strategy to achieve sustainable forest management by encouraging the management or co-management of forest resources by the communities living closest to the resources. This considers the right of use and distribution of benefits and costs incurred by the relevant forest. The organization also participated in Enhancing Tanzanian Capacity to Deliver Short- and Long-Term Data on Forest Carbon Stocks in mangrove forests of Kilwa and Lindi, Tanzania. Roles: Project Management Team, organizing community meetings and deliver restoration awareness campaigns in different project-targeted communities.
Community Leader
Community Forest Management Agreement/Area for Mtambwe Kusini and Shumba Mjini Shehia-Pemba, Zanzibar, Department of Forestry- Pemba, Zanzibar-Tanzania
Knowledge, background and expertise: Has a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), 2017. His expertise encompasses coastal ecosystem preservation, forest inventory, wildlife habitat assessment, and fostering community participation in conservation initiatives. His dedication to fostering harmonious relationships between nature and people has established him as a trusted officer in the field. Roles: A co-applicant and member of the PMT, representing vulnerableNFRFI-2023-00531 [Proposal]6communities. Will have an active coordination role of mangrove community leaders and farmers during project activities implementation in Zanzibar.
Professor of Coastal Ecology and Interdisciplinary Ocean Studies
University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Denis is a Professor of Coastal Ecology and Interdisciplinary Ocean Studies (~20 years). Director of the Centre for Coastal Management (Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience). Co-PI on multimillion-dollar programs from the World Bank, USAID DANIDA, etc. His expertise lies in Ecology and management of coastal water bodies (estuaries and lagoons) and mangrove wetlands. Coastal resilience, maritime conflicts, fisheries governance, climate change adaptation and mitigation, marine biodiversity, marine pollution management, marine spatial planning, and marine protected areas. Roles: Co-leader WP4, and coordinator for Ghanaian side across WPs; Participates in research design, methodology, data collection and analyses, and dissemination of results.
Assistant Research Fellow
University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Richard holds an MPhil Degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Cape Coast and Certificate in Spatial Ecotoxicology and ecotoxicological Risk Assessment, University of Koblenz-Laundau, Landau, Germany. Has professional competencies in the use and application of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing for coastal zone management applications and marine spatial planning. Has Ghana Civil Aviation Certified Pilot for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at the Centre Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast. Roles: Participates in all activities of the project for Ghana.
Assistant Research Fellow
University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Joshua holds a master’s degree in integrated Coastal Zone Management and a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, both from the University of Cape Coast. He is presently the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the World Bank-funded Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast. He is passionate about mangrove research and has several publications to his credit in that domain, where his most important research focused on the carbon stock assessment of coastal mangroves ecosystems. The study sought to understand the quantum of blue carbon that is re-emitted to the atmosphere due to degradation of mangrove ecosystems. His other research interests cover coastal and ocean processes, impacts of climate change on natural resources, coastal zone management with focus on coastal livelihoods.
Assistant Research Fellow
University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Dorothy is a postdoctoral researcher at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Ghana. With a Ph.D. in Oceanography and Limnology, her expertise lies in water quality management, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience. Dorothy has extensive experience in conducting research on mangrove ecosystems, water quality indices, and the socio-economic impacts of environmental degradation. As part of the COASTMAN Project, she co-leads efforts to develop a Decision Support System (DSS) for mangrove ecosystem restoration in coastal areas. Her work emphasizes integrating scientific research and community engagement to foster sustainable and inclusive solutions for coastal ecosystem management.
Assistant Research Fellow
University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Linda is a Project Coordinator at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Ghana. She is experienced with a demonstrated history in extension services, stakeholder engagement and training related to fisheries management and governance. She has knowledge and interest across a wide range of areas, including sustainable practices, maritime law, and building marine ecosystem resilience. She holds an MSc in Maritime Affairs with specialisation in Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management from the World Maritime University. Driven by a passion for ocean conservation, her commitment to effective governance guides her efforts to promote the health and sustainable use marine ecosystems.
Sanwoma/Apataim Community liaison
Community Organizations representing Vulnerable Groups, Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Abraham holds a Basic Education Certificate since 2009. He has worked at Feanza Industries Ltd as an Assistant Production Manager. He has held several positions in his community including Unity Community member in Apataim and a youth leader in Apataim. He has worked with Hen Mpoano, an Environmental Advocacy NGO as a Village Agent for the establishment of Village Savings and Loans Associations and is currently the Secretary to the Community Resource Management Area (CRMA) at Apataim. Serves as a member of CRMA Executive Committee (CEC) of the Ajomoro Ankobra CREMA. Roles: PMT member, representing the vulnerable communities of Ghana; coordination role of mangrove community leaders and farmers.
Anyanzinli Community liaison
Community Organizations representing Vulnerable Groups, Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Augustine is a field officer based in Jomoro Municipal and Ellembelle District Assemblies; Has a basic Education Certificate and has worked with the Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project, a USAID intervention activity as a community assistant, youth leadership and data collector in mapping farmlands and distribution of mangrove tree seedlings to farmers from 2015 to 2019. Assisted technical officers to train vegetable farmers and beekeepers in project communities. Village Agent in the establishment of Village Savings and Loans Association. Roles: representing the vulnerable communities of Anyanzinli; coordination role of mangrove community leaders and farmers, active participation in community organization, training, data collection, and co-production.
Program Manager
Landscapes, Aquatic System Dynamics, and Livelihood Initiatives, Takoradi, Ghana
Knowledge, background and expertise: Daniel has managed projects including AFR100 Restoration project, United States Forest Services, Community Resource Management Area project, IUCN Lower Ankobra River Basin Livelihood Improvement and Biodiversity Conservation, USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Project, Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project, RainForest Services Flora and Fauna survey and conservation project. Currently a project manager for Hen Mpoano, a local fisheries and coastal governance NGO and a final year PhD candidate at the World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience at the Centre for Coastal Management, UCC. A Social Development Specialist consulting for World Bank West Africa Coastal Area Resilience project hosted at the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI) of Ghana. Roles: Participates in the implementation of all project activities for Ghana.
