School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford

Pirta Palola is a DPhil candidate at the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, studying the resilience of atolls to climate change impacts. Working with Tetiaroa Society, Pirta conducted fieldwork on the Tetiaroa atoll in the South Pacific and tells us about her research: “Coral atolls are fascinating, dynamic systems that form as a result of the accumulation of sediment generated in the coral reef ecosystem. However, atolls are threatened by sea-level rise caused by climate change. The persistence of atolls in a warming climate depends on continued sediment generation at a rate that matches sea-level rise. To support efficient restoration strategies on atolls, we need to understand how coral atolls vary in their responses to the changing climate. In my research, I use satellites and drones to monitor environmental change across atolls in the Pacific Ocean. In Tetiaroa, we conducted hyperspectral measurements of light underwater. Capturing light that is not visible to the human eye, these measurements provide a rich source of ecological information. The field data allowed me to develop and validate a novel AI remote sensing technique for smarter and more accurate mapping of shallow coral reef environments.” “Growing up sailing in the Baltic Sea, I feel a deep sense of connection with the marine environment. I hope that my research will contribute towards safeguarding and restoring marine biodiversity.” #SoGEintheField #Oxford #Research #Study #Geography #UniversityOfOxford #ClimateChange #Environment #MarineBiology #biodiversity

📣 I have some BIG personal news: At the end of April, I will be leading the Energy Programme at the Environmental Change Institute (ECI), University of Oxford! My ambition is to build a powerhouse for rigorous research on energy policy and energy demand, driving real-world impact at a time when bold action is more critical than ever. The University of Oxford is home to some of the world's most outstanding energy research, and I am honored to follow in the footsteps of giants - Dr Brenda Boardman, Nick Eyre and Charlie Wilson have been leading the programme over more than 3 decades. I also want to recognise Tina Fawcett, who has done an exceptional job leading the group over the past year and will soon pass the reins to me. The ECI is based in the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford which has just been ranked number 1 in the world for the 15th year now. It attracts top-notch researchers from around the globe making it a great hub for energy and climate research. In addition to my post at the ECI I will also become a Jackson Senior Research Fellow at Oriel College, Oxford contributing to the college’s energy and sustainability efforts through my research and policy expertise. I will play an active role in the Oriel Environment Group, supporting initiatives to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and integrate clean energy solutions. Importantly I will also continue to serve the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)as a Senior Advisor and work towards a deep collaboration between RAP and Oxford. More in the press release below. 👇 https://lnkd.in/eKVmuHXb

Graduated from the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, University of Oxford with an MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance👨🏾🎓 Best part of the MSc for me was writing on the Urban Theory Africa-Doing Workshop (UTA-Do), a community I am part of, for my dissertation. Travelling for the workshop, chatting with the organisers, who are my friends and mentors, and the participants, who continue to hold space for each other in the most beautiful ways, gave me so much joy. Reading through the literature, thinking through how such a space is a way for scholars, artists, activists and practitioners from and or working on African Cities to connect, care and create an infrastructure for their work and careers (snippet in table of contents below😉) built me and continues to fill me to the brim. Dissertation title: “The Story of UTA-Do: A Rose, a Black Sense of Academic Place and Orientation Towards Africa Urban Praxis” My supervisors, Amber Murrey and Alexander Vasudevan, were the best. I am forever grateful for the guidance, entertaining my curiosities and encouraging my creative story-telling writing style. To my community in Kenya, Oxford and around the world, y’all sustained me and continue to do so in the current #DPhil Journey, asanteni sana. Grateful to Rhodes Trust Christ Church, Oxford for funding. #Oxonian #Graduation

As part of REACH’s scaling out of our work globally, we are working with the Government of Zambia and Uptime Global to pilot a results-based funding model for safe drinking water services in rural schools and clinics. This report provides initial results and discusses the opportunities for national delivery by 2030. 📝 The University of Oxford is delighted to be collaborating with the Government of Zambia Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development, Water Development and Sanitation, Education and Health, who are co-authors on this report. While the REACH Programme (Funded by FCDO) will end this month, we are excited to share plans to scale out our work in new countries. The SafeManzi model in Zambia is inspired by REACH’s work in Bangladesh with the SafePani model. SafePani has secured government commitments to 2030, which we will announce details of shortly. This forms part of the University's 100 million Initiative, which will set out ambitious targets to improve #WaterSecurity for 100 million vulnerable people by 2030. We will provide further updates on this soon! Thank you to Justina Muchelenje, one of the MSc Water, Science, Policy and Management cohort last year who contributed to this work. ✍ You can find out more via the following link: https://lnkd.in/eJ6wfXP7 School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | UNICEF  

Come and see us! 🏛 Discover what it’s like to study Geography at Oxford and join us at our upcoming open day on 16th June 2025. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eRBpKD_N We look forward to seeing you there!

📢 We're hiring! The School of Geography and the Environment, in partnership with Hertford College, are seeking applications for the Professorship of Geography. The post will be held in conjunction with a Professorial Fellowship at Hertford College and will commence in September 2025. 🗓 Key Details: Location: Oxford, United Kingdom Application Deadline: 14 April 2025, 12:00 (UK time). For more: geog.ox.ac.uk/news/jobs #jobopportunity #PhysicalGeography #ClimateChange #Biodiversity #AcademicJobs #UniversityOfOxford #GeographyResearch

Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay, we’re highlighting some new #REACH research, entitled ‘From participation to empowerment: the case of women in community‑based water management in hydrologically diverse southwest coastal Bangladesh' ♀️ While women’s participation in water management institutions (WMOs) is seen as a key vehicle for female empowerment and gender equity, it does not guarantee active involvement in decision making. Therefore, the capacity to express opinions and see this reflected in water management is more important than empowerment. 🗣 In response, this paper investigates opportunities for women’s empowerment via participation in WMOs in water insecure southwest coastal Bangladesh. Using qualitative research tools and methods, the study examines the extent and nature of women’s participation in WMOs, and the factors that affecting participation in varying hydrological settings. Results show that empowerment is achievable through intensive water security programs to ensure women’s effective participation, supported by leadership enhancing programs. This will ensure fair selection in the WMOs by breaking the stereotypes of elite influence. Find out more on the REACH website: https://lnkd.in/ezBbtV8G ✍ Mahabuba hasan Lima | mashfiqus salehin | Md. Arif Chowdhury | Md Hasibul Hasan | Jobayer Hossain | Sujit Kumar Bala #WaterSecurity | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

It was wonderful to attend the Philip Leverhulme Prize Gala Dinner last night, connect with inspiring colleagues and celebrate research across disciplines. A huge thank you to The Leverhulme Trust for their generous support and to our nominators for making this possible! I was delighted to meet fellow University of Oxford prize winners (pictured below): Ridhi Kashyap (Sociology and Social Policy, 2023), Federica Genovese (Politics and International Relations, 2024), Miriam Klein-Flügge (Psychology, 2024), Natalia Ares (Physics, 2024), ..and myself (Earth Sciences, 2024)

It was wonderful to attend the Philip Leverhulme Prize Gala Dinner last night, connect with inspiring colleagues and celebrate research across disciplines. A huge thank you to The Leverhulme Trust for their generous support and to our nominators for making this possible! I was delighted to meet fellow University of Oxford prize winners (pictured below): Ridhi Kashyap (Sociology and Social Policy, 2023), Federica Genovese (Politics and International Relations, 2024), Miriam Klein-Flügge (Psychology, 2024), Natalia Ares (Physics, 2024), ..and myself (Earth Sciences, 2024)