As part of my doctoral research journey, I undertook a research visit to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria, which provided an opportunity to advance my PhD research, contribute to collaborative research activities, and broaden my field-based understanding of coastal and marine ecosystems.
A central focus of the visit was to finalize the writing of my PhD thesis on Indigenous and local knowledge and desirable futures for mangrove ecosystem sustainability in the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, West Africa. The research stay provided dedicated time for consolidating my research findings, refining the thesis chapters, and progressing towards the completion of my doctoral studies.
Beyond thesis development, I contributed to the preparation and facilitation of a participatory Nature Futures Framework (NFF) visioning workshop. This experience allowed me to engage with collaborative futures research and support discussions exploring diverse perspectives and desirable futures for marine ecosystem sustainability.
The visit also provided an opportunity to conduct fieldwork along the Lagos coast, investigating the ecological roles of mangrove ecosystems and their contributions to addressing interconnected food security, climate change, and biodiversity challenges. This field-based research broadened my understanding of the relationships between coastal ecosystems and the social and ecological dimensions of sustainability in a different West African context.
Overall, the research visit was an important period of academic development, research collaboration and knowledge exchange. It enabled me to make substantial progress towards completing my PhD, contribute to participatory futures research and extend my research experience beyond the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. It also strengthened my interest in collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the contributions of mangrove ecosystems to sustainability challenges across West Africa.