Meet the START - TRANSECTS | University of Saskatchewan

START Student Advisors (2024-2025):

Frederike Helmke (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development - Germany)

My name is Frederike Helmke and I am from Berlin, Germany. I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the TILL 2024 on Vancouver Island, Canada. Engaging in transdisciplinary research and meeting so many new and interesting people, was a true joy. It was also my first experience with TD research, which sparked a deep interest in this field.

I hold a B.Sc. in Ecology and Environmental Planning and am currently in my research semester (3rdsemester) of my Master’s program in Global Change Management in Eberswalde. Throughout my research semester, I’m working with a small NGO to develop and implement a neighborhood program based on Marshall Ganz's organizing principles and the concept of social tipping points. Our goal is to create a self-replicating movement of neighborhood groups in Berlin, actively implementing climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Through this program, we aim to strategically intervene where our impact can be most effective but also most challenging.

Beyond academics, I am all in for team sports. I have been playing field hockey since childhood. I love traveling, exploring new cultures, and meeting people from all walks of life. I’m excited to be part of the new START cohort, which I see as a great opportunity to stay connected with the people I met throughout my TILL experience and to deepen my involvement with TD research.

Jon Chance (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development - Germany)

As a graduate student in Biosphere Reserves Management at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, I am interested in landscape ecology and regional conservation management. My interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana laid the foundation for my role as a researcher. I am also an alum of the 40th class of Wilderness and Civilization, an experimental field-based program offered by the Wilderness Institute in Missoula, Montana.

During the 2024 TILL, hosted by Vancouver Island University and the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region in British Colombia, Canada, I was further inspired by the inclusive quality of the transdisciplinary concept for applied research. It was also a great experience to learn directly from a new set of international peer researchers.

I am driven to bridge different siloed disciplines and enjoy connecting with a wide variety of people in order to help address complex issues like climate change and sustainable development.

Shannon Rutherford (Rhodes University - South Africa)

My name is Shannon Rutherford, and I am currently completing my MSc in Biotechnology with a focus on early, affordable cancer diagnostics. In the first year of my master's, I engaged in outreach work, testing water quality for surrounding communities, which sparked my interest in applying science to real-world challenges. Living in South Africa, my connection to nature has driven my commitment to sustainability and health-focused research.

In 2024, I attended the Transdisciplinary International Learning Laboratory (TILL) in Canada, where I worked with researchers and community members to address complex local issues. This experience highlighted the power of collaboration and diverse perspectives in finding innovative, sustainable solutions.
I am excited to bring my passion for science, nature, and transdisciplinary research to the START Student Advisors, where I look forward to contributing to and learning from this vibrant community.

Chloe Canning (University of Saskatchewan - Canada)

My name is Chloe Canning, and I am a PhD candidate at the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. I completed my environmental science undergraduate degree with a soil science minor while working in the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology lab at the University of Saskatchewan. My research focuses on understanding how heavy metals move through and are retained within tree systems to determine the implications of heavy metal uptake on tree growth and the potential remediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites using synchrotron techniques. I have also assisted with multiple undergraduate classes and worked as a sessional lecturer for the fourth-year sustainability in action capstone course at the University of Saskatchewan. I was a part of the 2024 TILL on Vancouver Island, where we participated in transdisciplinary research looking at the effects of invasive alien species and their impacts on the local environment. The TILL was a wonderful experience that allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore research methods I had never participated in before. I have also been fortunate to meet and learn from many wonderful people within the TRANSECTS network. The experiences and skills gained through these opportunities will continue to impact my perspectives in research and teaching.

Aisha Adelah (University of Saskatchewan - Canada)

Aisha Adelah considers herself a friend of the earth and is passionate about sustainable development and community engagement. She is a teacher, a climate activist, and enjoys research in water resources and sustainability.

Aisha participated in the 2024 TiLL at the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region where, in a team, she adopted a transdisciplinary approach to discover the influence of climate change on the spread of invasive species in the biosphere region. Her research on water management and climate change makes her understand the challenges facing our planet and fosters in her a sense of responsibility towards people and the environment. This is evident in how she participates in various community initiatives; volunteering in rural schools and advocating for environmental education and sustainable practices.

Aisha's undergraduate background was in Geography, and she is presently enrolled in a master’s degree programme in Regenerative Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. She hopes to use this opportunity to hone her skills and knowledge in complex environmental issues and transdisciplinarity for building strong relationships and connections with others who seek sustainable solutions to common challenges".

Athef Ayub Khan (Sustainability Practitioner / Software Developer - Canada)

I am a Software Development student with a strong passion for environmental sustainability, specializing in integrating technology and sustainable practices. My background spans computer science, environmental science, and climate advocacy, with a focus on leveraging IT to address sustainability challenges.

Recently, I completed the Connecting for Climate Action course at Western University, where I explored concepts like positionality, Two-Eyed Seeing, and reciprocity, deepening my understanding of climate issues and cultural perspectives. This inspired me to develop projects that merge my web development skills with my dedication to sustainability. One such project is EcoWander Canada, a MERN-stack web application aimed at promoting sustainable travel across Canada. EcoWander will offer eco-conscious travelers the tools and resources to make environmentally responsible travel decisions.

I have also been actively involved in environmental advocacy, participating in The Climate Reality Project , Prairies Advocacy Training with the Manitoba Transportation group, where I addressed transportation’s impact on climate change by creating a social media poster. I love communicating and interacting with people, especially discussing topics related to sustainability and environmental science, which has enriched my experiences at events like the Youth Nature Keepers Summit in Ottawa and Saskatoon. Contributing to the OCIC’s Innovation Lab 2024 "Salt-ernatives" project for eco-friendly deicing solutions highlighted the power of collective action on issues like invasive species and sustainable practices. Additionally, attending the Ontario Regional Youth Conference 2024, focused on fostering unity, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship, has further strengthened my commitment to promoting peace, unity, and sustainability within diverse communities.

Having been born and raised in Kuwait and educated in diverse settings, I highly value transdisciplinary collaboration. I am passionate about connecting with people from various backgrounds to build relationships, exchange knowledge, and tackle challenges together. With every project and interaction, I am doing my best to make this world a better place to live.

"Software Engineer by Profession, Environmental Sustainability Practitioner by Passion – For a Better Tomorrow!"

Anna Gowera (University of the Witwatersrand - South Africa)

My name is Anna Gowera. I am currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Sciences, with research focussing broadly on mining, society and the environment. I also hold a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences degree, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Environmental Science and Health, and a small collection of certificates in between. I love learning! I am equally passionate about sustainability science, and fell in love with transdisciplinary research as a TILLie in the 2024 Transdisciplinary International Learning Lab (TILL) held in Vancouver Island. Having been immersed in the beauty and value of multiple biosphere regions in this program, I have a renewed zeal for making positive impact that lasts, for now and into the future, through learning from nature and using the knowledge of the past. It is an honour to serve on the TRANSECTS START team.

Stefan Rummler (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development - Germany)

I am studying Forestry System Transformation (FST) at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development and had the pleasure of participating in the TILL 2024 on Vancouver Island, which was an extraordinary educational and personal experience for me. Since then, I have been fascinated by the idea of TD and I am convinced that this is the most promising approach to solve future sustainability conflicts.

Currently, I am writing my master's thesis about a research stay in the Lake Bosomtwe Biosphere Reserve in Ghana where I used a TD approach to explore the potential of traditional food forest practices to improve the sustainability of farming activities, and tried to initiate a demonstration food forest in the Biosphere Reserve to generate direct benefits for the local communities.

Putuma Balintulo (Rhodes University - South Africa)

Molweni! My name is Putuma Balintulo. I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Science at Rhodes University, South Africa. I love sunsets, the ocean and rivers, the wild- well everything nature and believe in the mutual, inextricable relationship between people and nature. This has shaped my academic interests, which focus on Earth and environmental sciences, with a particular interest on conservation, global change, and ecological restoration, which I believe to be vital components of resilient and sustainable social-ecological systems where both people and nature can thrive. I hold BSc, BSc Honors, and Masters of Science degrees from Rhodes University.

My PhD research explores the use of TEK in conservation, and how it can enhance conservation efforts, leading to more just, equitable, and sustainable biodiversity conservation outcomes. Emphasizing the value of traditional knowledge systems, the study seeks to highlight pathways for integrating TEK into mainstream conservation strategies, ultimately fostering resilience and biodiversity in ecosystems.

I had the privilege of participating in TILL 2024 at Vancouver Island University (VIU), British Columbia, which deepened my passion for engaging with diverse perspectives and collaborating toward transformative sustainability. I strongly believe in the power of transdisciplinary research to bring together individuals from different fields and worldviews. I advocate for creating spaces and networks that promote diversity, adaptability, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Parmveer Singh (University of Saskatchewan - Canada)

Dr. Parmveer Singh pursued his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Extension Education from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at the Pennsylvania State University, United States of America (2021-2024). His doctoral research focused on ‘Understanding Researchers’ Positionality in Integrating and Designing the Transdisciplinary Research Process and Outcomes: A Case Study of Thriving Agriculture Project’. Dr. Singh’s research area includes transdisciplinary research, program development and evaluation, and community-based participatory research. In the past, his research and outreach work focused on farming communities in Punjab, India. Further, it expanded to involve hard-to-reach populations in the United States, i.e., Amish and Old-order Mennonites. He has worked on understanding water quality issues, and their causes and effects on human, and animal health. Through meetings, workshops, and conferences, he has presented his research work to various audiences, such as scientists, extension educators, conservation officials, healthcare professionals, and students.

START Student Advisors (2023-2024):

Danielle Spence (University of Saskatchewan - Canada)

I am completing my PhD in Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. My PhD research focuses on understanding and management of harmful algal blooms in lakes.

I attended the Mini-TILL in Germany. I enjoyed the entire process of working in a team and with a community to understand and propose solutions to a locally-relevant issue. I enjoy the opportunity to get to know people, build relationships, and understand their perspectives on issues of sustainability. Working on issues that matter to people is incredibly fulfilling and makes me feel like I am helping to make a difference.

Chantal Krumm (Leuphana University Lüneburg - Germany)

I studied Human and Environment (B.Sc.) with a focus on Environmental Economics and Environmental Psychology at the University of Koblenz-Landau. I then studied the Double Degree Program Global Sustainability Science at Leuphana University Lüneburg in Germany and Arizona State University in the USA. Recently, I started a position as a research assistant at ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research working in the field of transdisciplinarity.

In my master’s thesis, I focused on the institutionalization of transdisciplinary sustainability research and empirically investigated the impact as well as the institutionalization of facilitators of knowledge co-production, so-called “Transacademic Interface Managers” in transdisciplinary research projects. I am interested in the different roles of researchers and stakeholders in transdisciplinary projects as well as understanding local contexts of transdisciplinary projects and their cultural relations.

I participated in the TILL 2022/ in the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve in Germany. The TILL showed me the complexity of td projects and how it feels practically to be part of a td project. What I found most exciting was the intensive teamwork and collaboration between a wide variety of people. It gave me an understanding of who, how and when td projects make sense and how culture can influence the understanding and application of td projects. The most beautiful thing now is to be connected to people in a way that is rarely experienced.

What I like most about transdisciplinary research is that the first step is to listen and understand perspectives, then bring them together in the next step to create new knowledge that didn't exist before and which ideally leads to sustainable, socially acceptable and fair solutions and ultimately positive change. At ISOE, we do not only work transdisciplinary, we also make transdisciplinarity a research objective, analyzing how to improve processes and how make it more meaningful for academia and society.

At ISOE, I work in the project Platform tdAcademy which is a platform (https://td-academy.org/en/home/) to connect transdisciplinary researchers. Moreover, I am member of the ITD Alliance, the Global Alliance for Inter- and Transdisciplinarity (https://itd-alliance.org/). These are two amazing ways to connect with other td-researchers!

Michaela Sidloski (University of Saskatchewan - Canada)

My name is Michaela Sidloski, and I am in the final year of my PhD in Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. With an educational background in regional and urban planning, I consider myself primarily a social scientist, with specializations in cartography, GIS, and transdisciplinary (TD) scholarship. In my doctoral research project, I am working toward improving climate change adaptation planning processes for resource-based communities in Canada by considering the effect of social identity factors (like gender, culture, and socioeconomic status) on how people experience and respond to climate impacts. I was fortunate to be able to attend the first “mini-TILL” in Germany in summer of 2022, where I gained invaluable experience through being part of a TD research process that emphasized safety, support, and learning from mistakes (instead of avoiding them). I love playing the piano, cooking, and connecting with people and other beings. I believe the most important thing I can be is a student, and I strive never to stop listening and learning.

Juri Häbler (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development - Germany)

I am a graduate student in Global Change Management at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. My research interests include China, Biosphere Reserves, Nature Conservation, Climate politics and communication.

I participated in the first mini-TILL in Germany, which provided my with many new insights and friends all across the world, furthermore it was one of the best learning experiences which I have made so far.

From my perspective, transdisciplinary research and work are the added effort and time which we need to spend, to find truly sustainable solutions for the future.

Josie Ward (University of Saskatchewan - Canada)

I am a graduate student in the School of Environment and Sustainability. I hold a Master of West Nordic Studies, Governance and Sustainable Management from the University of the Faroe Islands, awarded in 2020. My current research focuses on the contribution of renewable energy projects to community development in northern Norway.

I attended the Winter 2023 Till in Germany. During the Till I gained interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of different backgrounds. What I appreciate most about TD research is the flexibility it provides.

Purity Rima Mbaabu (University of Nairobi - Kenya)

Purity is a transdisciplinary researcher with over 15 years of experience in climate change, Natural Resources Management, policy analysis, GIS and RS, sustainability, project development and management, teaching, monitoring and evaluation, biodiversity assessment, GHG emissions accounting, corporate sustainability and SDGs. She holds an MSc degree in Geo-information and Earth Observation for NRM from ITC, University of Twente, Netherlands, and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Moi University, Kenya. She is pursuing a PhD in Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Nairobi and woody weeds project (www.woodyweeds.org) at CABI-Switzerland. She has contributed to several scientific publications and worked in multiple projects and organizations globally including the Woody weeds project-CABI, Switzerland on invasive plant species; TRANSECTS-Canada & Germany on transdisciplinary research for sustainability of UNESCO Biosphere Regions; Research4Development (r4d)-Switzerland on ecosystems evidence utilisation in transformative development pathways; International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA)-New Zealand on evidence use in policies for Covid-19 response; CGIAR (CIFOR-ICRAF) on climate-smart agriculture; University of Edinburgh - UK on Carbon and REDD+; Green Belt Movement on environmental conservation; Voices4Change (V4C)-Kenya/Sweden on urban food systems and food security; Clinton Global Initiative University Program on project development and management; Chuka University-Kenya; and SESYNC Program-University of Maryland, USA. She currently serves as a board member of the Student and Trainee Advisory Round Table (START) on TD research under the TRANSECTS program-University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

She has interest in SDGs, transdisciplinarity, sustainability, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, natural climate and nature-based solutions, renewable energy; ESG, corporate sustainability, climate-smart agriculture and landscapes, climate modelling, carbon and GHGs emission accounting, and gender mainstreaming in development initiatives. She participated in the TRANSECTS first full TILL in 2022-2023 in Germany, where she was greatly impacted by the huge, yet untapped potential of TD research in delivering sustainability solutions for the management of complex socio-ecological systems. With regards to TD approach, she particularly likes the inclusion of non-academic actors, co-creation of knowledge, reflection and the multidisciplinary composition of the researchers. She says that “TD approach exposes the complex social sustainability challenge owing to the cultural and disciplinary diversity of TD teams. These need to be effectively managed to realize the potential of TD in addressing global sustainability challenges”. She enjoys travelling, family-time, socializing and networking.

Charlotte Griestop (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development - Germany)

I am a graduate student in Forestry System Transformation at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development and I attended the Winter 2023 TILL in the German biosphere reserve Schorfheide-Chorin with a focus on forest management, which not only provided me with interesting conversations with the BR landscape and with forestry practitioners but also has been an enriching intercultural learning journey around diverse perspectives, personalities, backgrounds and cultures.

I am passionate about the role of nature connection for sustainability transformations, about diverse knowledge systems, how to host spaces of true collaboration and connection, and how that links to transdisciplinarity.

I am holding a Bachelors in Environmental Studies and Economics from Leuphana University in Germany and a Masters in Strategic Leadership towards sustainability from BTH university in Sweden. Furthermore, I am a wilderness mentor and a flow game host, as well as a practitioner of Theory U and the Art of hosting and harvesting conversations that matter.

Enya Munting (Rhodes University - South Africa)

Research interest: Pathways to kinder conservation systems, communication between science and society, transdisciplinary enquiry

I attended the first, mini-TILL in Germany in August 2022. The experience was incredible for a variety of reasons, mostly because it showed me new, better ways for education and collaboration to occur and instilled a lot of hope for the future in me. I met an incredible group of new friends and I firmly believe that the experience at the mini-TILL has changed my outlook on conservation by giving me some of the knowledge and tools that we need to be able to properly solve wicked problems faced in the sector today.

Transdisciplinary approaches to research and work have been integral to my way of engaging with the world and I have found that they enable a more holistic understanding of complex issues and solutions that are more likely to work. My MSc project uses both ecological and social sciences to understand how the commercial linefishing community in one of South Africa´s provinces is being impacted by Marine Protected Areas and their management. Although I still have a long way to go before I finish this project, I can already see the value of using different types of knowledge in answering complex questions such as how protected areas impact people who rely on natural resources for a living, and how these impacts can be improved for long term sustainability. The transdisciplinary-aligned approach that I have taken has enabled me to understand more about the complexities that exist in this system and how they might be solved for kinder, more effective conservation systems in the future.

I believe strongly that conservation is about finding pathways to a pleasant future for all life and that we humans need to find a way back to seeing ourselves as a part of nature, in order for this to become a reality. My work explores the complex relationships between humans and the rest of nature, and I love learning from anyone who has a thought on these matters.

Kwanele Siyengo (Rhodes University - South Africa)

My name is Kwanele Siyengo and I am currently completing a masters degree at Rhodes University in South Africa. My research is focused on Transformative social learning processes in South African catchments. I was fortunate enough to attend the pilot TILL, which though was shorter, was still a ton of fun. The intercultural experience was my absolute favorite thing from the experience. Being able to immerse myself and learn so much from other people was really cool. I love and appreciate TransD for being so versatile in its application. That its principles are focused on the people rather than prioritising the result. I am excited to keep exploring TransD as I still have so much to learn and I am excited to be part of platforms such as START which will accelerate my journey.