Katharina D'Avis

Katharina D’Avis holds a MSc in Ecology and Environmental Management (University of Lisbon, Portugal) and a BSc in Geography and Political Economics (Heidelberg University, Germany). For her MSc project, she integrated biodiversity values and local community needs into systematic planning and prioritization of conservation areas on Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea). 

Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has gained a broad perspective on the conservation field by working with various stakeholders in different contexts - including international cooperation agencies, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities in tropical forest regions. She has contributed to research, policy and practice projects at the interface of biodiversity conservation and human well-being, particularly focusing on sustainable livelihoods and natural resource use, protected areas, traditional knowledge and rights-based approaches.