Confirmed Speakers
Speakers confirmed for ReSToRE 3
Dr. Salem S. Gharbia - Atlantic Technological University Sligo
Salam is the leader of the H2020 SCORE project, a Principal Investigator and Head of Department of Environmental Science at Atlantic Technological University, Ireland. Water resources, climate change and integrated environmental systems modelling with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are his main fields of interest. Dr. Gharbia worked for both academia and consultancy, and he holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin. Gharbia has excelled and been distinguished in all his studies, and he has received many awards and grants, such as Trinity College's prestigious Ussher award. Dr. Gharbia is a Principal investigator on a number of large-scale research and innovation projects such as EmpowerUS, Pro-climate, WaterFutures, Earth-HB and Pro-coast.
Dr. Irene del Real - Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh)
Irene is an Assistant Professor in Economic Geology at the Austral University in Chile, she holds an Msc from the University of British Columba, Canada a PhD from Cornell University, USA and a postdoc at the University of Chile. With work experience in both North and South America her work has focused on understanding the geological processes that control the formation of mineral deposits and more specifically critical elements for the energy transition. She has worked with the Chilean government in the definition and distribution of critical elements in the country and their potential and in 2023 she published a book titled "everything that shines" that focuses on the importance of metals for the development of our society and for our future.
Dr. Aparajita Banerjee - German Institute of Development and Sustainability
Apa is a Senior Researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability, based in Bonn, Germany.
I received my Ph.D. in Environmental and Energy Policy from the Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Technological University, USA. In addition, I hold a MA in Economics degree from Jadavpur University, India.
I am interested in research that examines the intersection of society, the environment, and government policies. I study socio-environmental problems at different scales local, regional and global. I have conducted research in countries like India, Mexico, Ireland, and the United States.
My current research is inspired by the belief that societal transition to deep decarbonization and a sustainable future should truly be just and equitable for all. I am interested in exploring how society is impacted by wicked problems associated with energy and environmental (in)justice, climate change inequality, and biodiversity conservation. I have published on topics like comparative public policy, social acceptance, and rejection of alternative technological developments, ethics of energy development. I also have an interest in exploring the challenges in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals at micro, meso, and macro levels.
Dr. Nadja Contzen - Eawag – Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
I lead the Environmental Health Psychology (EHP) group in the department Environmental Social Sciences (ESS) at Eawag and I am a research affiliate in the Environmental Psychology Group at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
I received a Master of Science (2009) and a PhD (2015) in Psychology from the University of Zurich (CH). In my PhD- and my postdoc-project at Eawag (2011-2016), I researched behaviour change in the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors in developing countries. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Environmental Psychology group at the University of Groningen (NL; 2016-2019) I investigated the social acceptance of sustainable innovations and behaviour change in the environmental sector. Since November 2019, I am the leader of the Environmental Health Psychology group at Eawag.
With my research, I first aim at increasing our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of a) behaviour promoting environmental health and b) the social acceptance of sustainable policies and innovations. Second, I use this knowledge to develop and subsequently test interventions and (communication) strategies to promote a) behaviour fostering environmental health and b) the acceptance of sustainable policies and innovations.
Dr. Mark Coughlan - University College Dublin and iCRAG
I am an Ad Astra Fellow in the School of Earth Sciences as well as being a Funded Investigator at the SFI Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG).
I graduated with a BSc in Geology from University College Cork in 2009 and completed my PhD in Marine Geology in 2014, also from University College Cork, having spent a one-year placement at the MARUM Centre, University of Bremen. Following my PhD, I spent three years working for renewable energy developers Gaelectric as a Project Manager in their Offshore Wind Section. I collaborate with academic and industry experts in geotechnics, geophysics, biogeochemistry, glacial geomorphology, oceanography, computational fluid dynamics, numerical modelling, environmental humanities and social science.
I enjoy exploring and presenting my research through artistic media and have worked with artists to this end.
Dr. Tomas Buitendijk - University College Dublin and iCRAG
I am a postdoctoral researcher with the Taking Stock project at the iCRAG SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences, investigating perceptions of marine sediments storing carbon in communities around Dundalk Bay, Co. Louth (Ireland). I graduated with a BA (Hons.) in Liberal Arts & Sciences from University College Utrecht in 2015, and received an MPhil in Comparative Literature from Trinity College Dublin in 2017. Between 2017 and 2021, I completed my PhD research at Dublin City University, studying changing representations of marine environments under the influence of climate change. Before joining Taking Stock, I was part of the Ireland-Wales Ecostructure project, where I studied connections between residents of Co. Wicklow (Ireland) and the coastal landscape.
Lloyd Singura - Mineral Resources Authority, Papua New Guinea
I am currently serving the Mineral Resources Authority of Papua New Guinea since 2021 as the Resource Geologist overseeing artisanal and small-scale nation-wide. My current project in collaboration with PNGs University of Technology and industry consulting professionals is on deducing an alluvial mineral resource evaluation code for PNG artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
In 2019 I was engaged with the Pacific Community through the Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Project funded by the European Union as Assistant Coordinator to the Centre for Disaster Reduction and Geology Tutor at the University of Papua New Guinea when I participated in ReSToRE 1. Completed my MSc in 2018 at Akita University Japan-on Earth Resource Sciences during which I was a recipient of the New Frontier Resource Leaders Scholarship by the Japan Government which undeniably sparked the curiosity to explore minerals supreme interconnectedness to societal advancement. I attained my Post Graduate Honors and BSc at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2016 and 2014 respectively majoring in Geosciences.
I am ambitious to explore societal orientations to earths dynamic processes as well as developing economies perceptions on the reliance of raw earth-resources (mineral/petroleum) exploitation in this global transition to clean energy.
Dr. Jocelyn Fraser - Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, The University of British Columbia
A lecturer and senior researcher at the University of British Columbia’s Institute of Mining Engineering, Jocelyn Fraser’s research focus is on social risk and social responsibility in the global mining sector. Her academic interests are complemented by 20 years of professional experience working with extractive companies to enhance stakeholder engagement and support sustainable value creation.
Dr. Fraser leads a working group on community engagement for the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM), and sits on the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Communities of Interest Panel representing the international development perspective. She is a member of the International Association of Public Participation and the American Academy of Management.
