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Could you tell us a bit about your background?

I'm a civil engineer with over 20 years of experience in environmental design and construction management, beginning with marine infrastructure projects such as shore protection, jetties, and mooring dolphins. I later transitioned to leading interdisciplinary projects, where I collaborated with key stakeholders to develop integrated solutions for sustainable infrastructure across both public and private sectors. My PhD in environmental design and engineering at the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Energy Institute further contributed to existing research by producing a resource-efficiency framework aimed at optimising the built environment. This output created opportunities to developing carbon-reduction strategies and decarbonisation pathways with organisational leaders and executives. My work has since extended into leadership and governance in global climate action, focusing on equitable decarbonisation strategies.

Outside of my professional endeavours, I am a proud mother of two university students—a budding robotics engineer and an aspiring economist—and I actively mentor young female climate academics and professionals.

What motivated you to study and work in the field of Energy research?

Energy research challenges us to push the boundaries of action-based inquiry, using interdisciplinary approaches and stakeholder collaboration to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions. My engineering and project management background, combined with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, equips me to contribute to efficient, people-centred energy transitions. Currently, my work with the Energy Institute's Shipping Group leverages these skills to curate equitable energy transition projects for underrepresented groups at the UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

What amongst your (prior) professional work best represents what you wish to contribute to the field?

My combined technical expertise and consultancy experience have prepared me for my role in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Energy Institute’s Shipping Group, where I contribute my expertise towards developing projects aimed at achieving a just and equitable energy transition in international shipping. Additionally, my work on interdisciplinary marine infrastructure projects and successful stakeholder-engaged consulting at both national and international levels reflects the skills I aim to leverage in this field.

Could you tell us about one of the current projects and / or collaborations you are working on in the Energy Institute?

I currently lead an Afrocentric research project aimed at providing technical and policy support to six African countries as case studies, towards developing technical expertise and knowledge needed to decarbonise their shipping sector in a just and equitable manner that leaves no country behind. The project focuses on technical capacity development, knowledge sharing, and generating evidence-based outputs to bridge technical knowledge gaps within the ongoing Revised GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy and the basket of mid-term measures discussions at the UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO). 

What are your plans for your next year of research, what projects and / or collaborations do you have in mind?

In the coming year, I plan to deepen my focus on equitable energy transitions within the international shipping sector and begin exploring implementation strategies suited to the Afrocentric context. My goal is to further bridge technical knowledge gaps in shipping and build an Afrocentric technical base derived from Africa for Africans. A major part of this technical support contributes to Afrocentric outputs at the UN IMO. Building on my work within the Energy Institute, I aim to expand the Afrocentric research projects I currently lead into new interdisciplinary research collaborations in climate resiliency of marine and energy infrastructure, energy and food security, leadership, and governance in Africa and so forth.

Find out more

• Learn more about the Environmental Design and Engineering MPhil/PhD