Climate Change: Impacts & Responses Research Network

Jacob Kwakye is a second-year PhD student in Social Work at McGill University whose research explores women’s leadership in climate action across Sub-Saharan Africa. He is particularly interested in how women shape community responses to environmental challenges and how their voices can influence policy and governance. Jacob holds an MPhil in Climate Change from the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana, and a BA in Development Education from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. His academic journey is fueled by a deep commitment to social justice and sustainability. Outside of academia, he is passionate about mentoring young scholars, engaging with grassroots organizations, and promoting knowledge that empowers communities to confront the realities of climate change.

Essien Oku Essien is a PhD candidate in Communication, Culture, and Media Studies at Drexel University (Philadelphia, USA). His research examines the intersection of climate change and spirituality/cultural epistemology in the Global South, with a focus on semiotics, post-coloniality, and “spirito-digital” public spheres. He has presented internationally and earned multiple recognitions across the US, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Sweden, Mexico, Ireland and Nigeria, and serves in student leadership roles advancing global graduate engagement. A certified Climate Reality Leader, Essien’s work bridges rigorous scholarship and public impact, informing policy dialogues and community initiatives.

Hieu Thi Hoang Nguyen is a PhD candidate in Economics at CERGE-EI in Prague, focusing on environmental and development economics. Her current projects include a study using a novel “NetFires” instrument to identify the impact of fire-driven pollution on child health in India, alongside studies on willingness-to-pay for clean air, heat and crime in South Africa, and climate-driven migration. Methodologically, Hieu works extensively with large survey and satellite datasets, employing designs such as instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, and mediation frameworks. Her works have been published in Heliyon (2021) and the Eurasian Business Review (2023), and she has participated in conferences and summer schools across Europe and Asia. Hieu also lectures in Econometrics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics.

Maya Lis is a Master’s student in Environmental Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on sustainable waste management and socio-technical transitions, with a current project examining the potential of electro-composting as an emerging technology to accelerate organic waste decomposition, reduce emissions, and support circular economy goals. Using a socio-technical transition framework, she analyzes the technical, economic, business, and behavioral factors influencing adoption in both rural and urban contexts. She is passionate about connecting environmental technologies with policy and community action to foster sustainable and equitable waste management systems.

Dr. Liton Chakraborty is a Visiting Scholar and Adjunct Member in the Graduate Program of Disaster and Emergency Management at York University, Canada. His research focuses on disaster risk reduction, environmental justice, and climate resilience, using innovative tools such as GIS, spatial econometrics, and intersectional Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) to promote more inclusive and equitable policies. His pioneering work on socially just flood risk assessment has been featured in multiple national news media in Canada. Dr. Chakraborty received Public Safety Canada’s Creativity and Innovation Award and served as an invited panel speaker at the UNESCO International Conference on Climate Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience Building. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Management and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Waterloo, as well as an M.Sc. in Business and Economics from Uppsala University

Yatong Yang received her PhD from Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies. Her research examines the intersection of international law and climate change, with a focus on how legal frameworks can respond to the challenges of sea-level rise and the disappearance of state territory. Her doctoral dissertation developed the concept of “climate sovereignty” as a basis for rethinking rights and obligations in international law. She has presented her work at academic conferences and published on topics in environmental law and global governance. Beyond academia, she is engaged in cross-cultural exchange as a Rotary Yoneyama Scholar alumna.

Dr Sindi Mokgopha is a passionate lecturer and researcher specialising in Green Cities Financing, Public Policy, Sustainable Education, and Climate Change. Her work focuses on developing policy frameworks that promote climate resilience, urban sustainability, and educational transformation. Committed to academic integrity and quality assurance, she advocates for ethical, innovative, and sustainable teaching practices. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Dr Mokgopha bridges environmental stewardship with education reform, aligning local initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and empowering decision-makers to build greener, more equitable, and resilient communities for future generations.