A transdisciplinary team
Who we are
The BOARD
Prof. Dr. Chinwe Ifejika Speranza
Dr. Chinwe Ifejika Speranza works at the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern. She leads the Land Systems and Sustainable Resource Use research group and conducts research on land use, food security and climate change adaptation, among other topics. She began her studies in Nsukka, Nigeria. In 2006, she received her PhD in geography and sustainable development in Bern, Switzerland. In the following years, she taught as a professor at the University of Bonn and at the United Nations University in Bonn.
Dr. Speranza has many years of experience working in West Africa, Kenya, Bolivia, Sarawak (Malaysia) and Switzerland. She also serves on various boards, including the Swiss Society for African Studies and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), which oversees the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dr. Ibra Toure
Dr Ibra Touré
Dr. Ibra Touré serves as the Regional Director of CIRAD for West Africa, where he also represents INRAE and Agreenium. With over 28 years of expertise in geomatics, pastoralism, and sustainable development, Dr. Touré has been instrumental in shaping key initiatives such as the Regional Project for Support to Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS). He holds a PhD in Geography, specializing in GIS and Remote Sensing, from Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis. Dr. Touré’s deep regional knowledge, combined with his extensive experience in project management, brings invaluable insights and a robust network to our board, strengthening our commitment to sustainable development in West Africa.
Dr. Ibrahima Hathie
Dr Ibrahima Hathie
He has also served as a Professor at the National School of Applied Economics (ENEA, Senegal) from 1992 to 2009 where he assumed the position of Director of studies and fieldwork from 2004 to 2007. He served as a consultant for several institutions (IDRC, WB, ACBF…).
Christophe Roduit
Christophe Roduit
Christophe Roduit is a seasoned humanitarian leader with extensive experience in nonprofit management and strategic planning. He currently serves as the Director of the Association pour le Bien des Aveugles et malvoyants (ABA) in Geneva, where he leads initiatives to support the visually impaired. Prior to this role, Christophe dedicated 15 years to Terre des Hommes Suisse, where he held various leadership positions, including Secretary General. His career also includes significant work with Medair as a Country Director. Christophe holds a Master’s degree in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. He brings a wealth of expertise in humanitarian assistance, sustainability, and organizational management to our board.
The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Prof. Dr. Patrick Bottazzi
Prof. Dr. Patrick Bottazzi
Prof. Dr. Patrick Bottazzi is an Assistant Professor in Human Geography at the University of Bern, with specializations in political ecology and development studies. He holds a Ph.D. from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, with research focused on Protected Areas, Ethnicity, and Indigenous Governance in Bolivia. His research topics span from governance of natural resources to sustainability transition and social justice. Bottazzi’s work experience includes time spent in the Upper Amazon basin, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. His methodological skills are diverse, including knowledge co-production, collective action, institutional analysis, spatial analysis, and participatory methods. His published work includes numerous articles on sustainability, social-ecological transitions, and agroecology.
dr joan bastide
Dr. Joan Bastide
Dr. Joan Bastide is a geographer with over 15 years of international experience in science and development. He earned his PhD in Geography and Environment from the University of Geneva and has developed a broad expertise in land management, geomatics, aid effectiveness, conservation, and disaster risk reduction. Dr. Bastide is the founder of the NGO Mélanzé and the record label Som’One Music, reflecting his diverse interests in both sustainable development and the arts. He has worked across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, helping to build and develop organizations for NGOs and universities. Additionally, Dr. Bastide is a published novelist, bringing a creative perspective to his multidisciplinary career.
RESEARCHERS
Sokhna Mbosse Seck
Sokhna Mbosse Seck
Sokhna Mbosse Seck holds a degree in Urban Planning, Environment, and Urban Management from the Ecole Supérieure d’Economie Appliquée (ESEA, formerly ENEA) and a Master’s degree in Territorial Planning, Decentralization, and Local Development from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar, Senegal. Currently pursuing a PhD in Human Geography, with a focus on Space, Society, and Culture, her research investigates the factors influencing the adoption and non-adoption of agroecological practices. Sokhna has authored several reports and publications, including studies on the appropriation of climate information by farmers, analysis of livestock producers’ logics and return on investment, and the environmental impacts of pesticides in Senegal. She brings extensive expertise in territorial planning and sustainable development, supported by a strong academic background and a dedication to advancing agroecological solutions through rigorous research.
Keaton Scanlon
Keaton Scanlon
Keaton Scanlon is a researcher and clinical practitioner specializing in indigenous crop preservation, ethnobiology, and agroforestry. Her work focuses on community-driven, culturally sensitive, and economically feasible solutions to health issues stemming from colonialism and imperialism. With extensive experience in community clinics, herbal formulation, and botanical labs, Keaton is also a Fulbright Scholar, published author, and holds a Permaculture Design Certificate and Wilderness Firefighter certification.
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Senegal
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info@creates.ngo
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