Emmanuel Junior Zuza

 Senior Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability

Milton Keynes, England | Pronouns: he/him

"Before we can fight crime, let make sure we fight poverty first"

• about

  Emmanuel is a researcher, academic, and educator whose work places farmers, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and their knowledge systems at the centre of environmental science and sustainable development. As a Senior Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability at the Royal Agricultural University, a Visiting Fellow at The Open University, and a Sustainability and Sourcing Consultant for the FairWild Foundation, he works at the intersection of academia, international development, policy, and industry to address some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges. With over 12 years of experience, Emmanuel's research focuses on advancing socially just and environmentally sustainable approaches to natural resource management. His work explores the relationships between biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and gender justice, with particular emphasis on ensuring that women, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalised communities are recognised as knowledge holders and active partners in environmental decision-making. He has extensive experience in interdisciplinary research, participatory methodologies, and co-producing knowledge with communities across Africa and beyond. A significant strand of Emmanuel's work examines the sustainable harvesting and ethical sourcing of wild plant and fungal species, supporting the development of resilient value chains that balance biodiversity conservation with livelihood opportunities. Through collaborations with governments, NGOs, the private sector, and international organisations, he contributes to evidence-based policies and sustainability standards that promote equitable benefit sharing and responsible natural resource governance. His research is driven by a commitment to transforming environmental science through inclusive, community-centred approaches that bridge scientific research with local knowledge, creating practical solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and social justice.

• area(s) of expertise

  Activists & Advocates, Community Organisers, Campaigns & Policy Makers, Creative Artists, Facilitators, Funders & Fundraisers, Public Speakers

• contact

  emmanuel.zuza@rau.ac.uk