I am a PhD candidate in Human Geography at the University of Cambridge. My current research focuses on understanding the conditions under which supply chain sustainability initiatives can lead to agroforestry adoption and how that influences social and ecological outcomes in the cocoa sectors of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
The MSc SPIBES built my scientific confidence and provided the background knowledge needed to pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge. Thanks to the SPIBES programme, I have been equipped with the necessary interdisciplinary skills to work on my current research project.
The programme deepened my knowledge and strengthened my capacity for interdisciplinary research on conservation and sustainable development. My MSc research focused on evaluating the performance of pollination services for cashew agroforests near Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire using bee samples and household surveys. I also developed an interest in landscape governance and restoration through Nature-based Solutions. Moreover, the international nature of the programme, which brought together 15 experts from West Africa, allowed me to build a solid scientific network and understand the crucial link between practice and theory in conservation efforts. Finally, the programme allowed me to improve my scientific communication skills with policymakers by learning how to design policy brief notes.
I attended the seventh session of the IPBES plenary in 2019, a pivotal event that significantly enriched my understanding and involvement in international conservation efforts. I assisted in revising the IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services with leading experts in the field, which has been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory.
