Alex Onatunji

• Since August 2023
  Doctoral researcher (PhD), Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy
  Supervisors: Prof. Daniela Kleinschmit (1st supervisor) & Prof. Diana Panke (2nd supervisor)
• 2022
  Trainee, European Forest Institute, Bonn, Germany.
• 2020 – 2022
  International Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management (MEDfOR): University of Lleida, Spain, University of Valladolid Spain, and University of Padova, Italy.
• 2014 – 2018
  B. Forestry and Wildlife, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

As a research associate and doctoral student at the Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy, I work on the German Research Foundation funded project on “Comparing Forest Governance Performances of Regional Regimes. A Comprehensive Analysis”. The research looks at regional international organisations forest policies from three dimensions of output, outcome, and impacts. Methodologically, I mostly use qualitative research methods such as process tracing, content analysis, and case studies.

My previous research interests include forest education, biodiversity conservation, social science, and forest governance and policy.

• Begemann, A., Dolriis, C., Onatunji, A., Chimisso, C., & Winkel, G. (2025). The Politics of Sustainable Finance for Forests: Interests, beliefs and advocacy coalitions shaping forest sustainability criteria in the making of the EU Taxonomy. Global Environmental Change, 92, 103001. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GLOENVCHA.2025.103001
• Onatunji, A. B. (2025). Can online learning deliver quality higher Forestry Education? a cross-continental analysis. In P. Schmidt, S. Lewark, M. Doyle, & N. Weber (Eds.), Higher forestry education in times of multiple crises : crises as framework conditions, challenges and triggers for improvements; Proceedings of the SILVA Network Conference held at the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Ir (pp. 34–50). SILVA Network. https://doi.org/10.25368/2025.038
• Moshood, F. J., Onatunji, A. B., & Shittu, B. A. (2024). Knowledge, Awareness, And Perceptions of Climate Change Among Forestry Students in Nigeria. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies & Management, 12(2), 466–477. https://ejesm.org/2024/08/07/knowledge-awareness-and-perceptions-of-climate-change-among-forestry-students-in-nigeria/
• Onatunji, A. (2022). What can we say about forest-related employment and green jobs in the forest sector after 3 years? Retrieved from http://resilience-blog.com/2022/04/28/what-can-we-say-about-forest-related-employment-and-green-jobs-in-the-forest-sector-after-3-years/
• Onatunji, A. B., Owuor, J. A., Rodriguez-Piñeros, S., Babalola, F. D., Akello, S. & Adeyemi, O., (2021). Building a Successful Forestry Career in Africa: Inspirational Stories and Opportunities. International Union of Forest Research Organizations, Vienna, Austria. 120 p. ISBN Number: 978-3-903345-09-6 Available online at https://www.iufro.org/fileadmin/material/publications/other-publications/building-a-successful-forestry-career-in-africa.pdf

• Nomination to the Forest Europe Expert Group on „Green Jobs and Forest Education“ (2021)
• Nomination for the FAO Africa Forestry and Wildlife Commission working group on “Forestry and Wildlife Education and Profession in Africa” (2020)
• Top 500 youths in the world invited to first UN Youth Climate Action Summit in New York City (2019)
• International Forestry Students Association Official of March 2019 (2019)

Scholarships

• 2024
  Travel grant to attend an academic conference from the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation.
• 2023
  Training Support and travel grant to participate in the International Post-Graduate Course – “Youth and the future of mountain forests” to be held in Pieve Tesino and Ormea, Italy from 10 to 25 July 2023. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat of FAO, Italy.
• 2022
  Travel grant to attend the 2nd FOREST EUROPE Expert Group on Green Jobs and Forest Education – Scandic Hotel Stockholm, Sweden. FOREST EUROPE, and Swedish Forestry Agency.
• 2021
  Academic scholarship to study Erasmus Mundus at the University of Padova. Veneto Region, Italy.
• 2020
  Academic scholarship to study International Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management MEDfOR- (2020 – 2022) The University of Lleida, Spain Scholarship for International Students

International Forestry Student Association (IFSA) – Volunteer

• Aug. 2021 – Sept. 2022: Head of Forest Europe Sub-Commission
• Sept. 2019 – Aug. 2021: Coordinator, Joint IUFRO-IFSA Task Force on Forest Education (two terms)
• Nov. 2018 – Aug. 2019: Northern Africa Regional Representative
• Oct. 2017- Aug. 2018: Member, Forest Education Commission
• Jun. 2017 – Jun. 2018: Head, Organizing Committee for IFSA’s Northern Africa Regional Meeting 2018

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