Gesche Kindermann

I am an environmental scientist with an interest in the interrelationships between the environment and human activity. My work explores the concept of climate action, sustainability and environmental conservation in the face of global change.

I hold a PhD in Environmental Science and an MSc in Ecosystem Conservation and Landscape Management. I have extensive experience in researching Irish environments, especially coastal areas, with an emphasis on their sustainable use, conservation management and a particular focus of her work is stakeholder engagement in this process. Consideration of the Leave no Trace principles, sustainability and stakeholder engagement in relevant management approaches is integral to my research. As a member of the University of Galway Community University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP) committee, I lead the Research and Learning working-group and coordinates the university-wide Introduction to Sustainability module. Embedding a holistic approach to sustainability in research and learning across higher education institutions is a main focus in my work as part of CUSP.

I am an Environmental Science lecturer and work is focussed on the interactions between humans and the environment, in areas such as climate change, health and recreation management. I led stakeholder engagement on the NEAR Health project, which aimed to connect people with nature to assist communities in valuing a healthy environment and maintaining healthy lifestyles. I continued this work in the Sheer Wellbeing project exploring access to blue/green spaces in Ireland, in the TIDAL-GES project investigating affordable and clean energy that also enhances the resilience of communities and nature and in the Caomhnú citizen science storytelling project sharing rural communities lived experiences and expertise of climate change and climate action.

I am the director of the MSc in Environmental Leadership and I coordinate the MSc in Biodiversity and Land Use Planning. I teach on both courses and contribute to further Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in the School of Natural Sciences, as well as overseeing the delivery of the transdisciplinary Introduction to Sustainability module.

Modules I teach on include: Ecosystem Sciences, Biodiversity Legislation and Policy, Habitat Identification and Assessment, Habitat Management and Restoration, Environmental Impact Assessment, AppropriateAssessment, Environmental Leadership, Communicating  Research