Julie Zähringer

I am a land system scientist and Professor of Land Systems and Sustainability Transformations at the Wyss Academy for Nature, the Centre for Development and Environment, and the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern.

My research focuses on the complex interlinkages between land use and land use change, ecosystem services, and human well-being. I am particularly interested in the socio-ecological transformations taking place in forest frontier regions of Madagascar, Laos, Peru, and semi-pastoral systems in Kenya, where I investigate the impacts of protected areas, agricultural value chains, and both large-scale and artisanal mining on biodiversity and local livelihoods.

I apply a transdisciplinary approach grounded in both spatially explicit and qualitative methods, including remote sensing, participatory mapping, household surveys, and in-depth interviews. Much of my work draws on a telecoupling lens to connect local land use changes to broader global drivers.

At the heart of my research is a strong commitment to co-producing knowledge with diverse partners — including academic institutions in the Global South, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples. I strive to bridge science and practice by creating space for meaningful dialogue and collaboration in support of urgently needed sustainability transformations.