The doctoral dissertation in the field of environmental policy will be examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies on Joensuu Campus.
Forests provide vital goods and services that sustain livelihoods around the world. Forest-dependent livelihoods are embedded in complex and uncertain social, environmental, and economic systems. Ida Herdieckerhoff’s, M.Soc.Sc., doctoral dissertation explores the dynamics between uncertainty and collaboration in forest-dependent livelihoods. It advances understanding of uncertainty in the context of forest-dependent livelihoods and highlights participatory tools and collaborative approaches as means of navigating and adapting to uncertain futures.
Herdieckerhoff’s doctoral dissertation shows how the dynamics between uncertainty and collaboration shape forest-dependent livelihoods. Drawing on case studies from Mozambique and Tanzania, the dissertation explores the relational nature of uncertainty, including unpredictability, limited knowledge, and ambiguity. It also advances understanding of participatory tools and collaborative approaches. A systematic literature review demonstrates that collaboration develops through dialogue that builds shared motivation and creates institutional conditions for collective action. Such collaboration is often supported by skilled facilitators who can balance complex power dynamics among actors.
The doctoral dissertation examines timely topics relevant to policymakers across many regions of the world. It contributes to understanding relational uncertainty in forest-dependent livelihoods using examples from forest concessions in Mozambique and forest plantations in Tanzania. The doctoral dissertation also has practical applications. The participatory mapping method co-developed and presented in one article offers a practical approach to supporting wildfire adaptation at the local level. Additionally, the dissertation offers a comprehensive overview of collaborative practices and tools described in the academic literature. The findings are relevant to policymakers, academics, and practitioners addressing forest-related issues at the international, national, regional, and local levels.
The doctoral research employed several methods to collect data. Three articles are based on qualitative case studies in Mozambique and Tanzania, where Herdieckerhoff conducted fieldwork and collected data through interviews and participant observation. One case study in Tanzania used a transdisciplinary research approach to co-develop a participatory mapping method aimed at integrating place-based knowledge into land-use planning. A systematic literature review complements the case studies. Herdieckerhoff coordinated an international group of scholars in reviewing the academic literature to identify collaborative practices and participatory tools.
The doctoral dissertation of Ida Herdieckerhoff, M.Soc.Sc., entitled Dynamics between uncertainty and collaboration in forest-dependent livelihoods will be examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. The opponent will be Associate Professor Verina Ingram, Wageningen University & Research, and the custos will be Professor Irmeli Mustalahti, University of Eastern Finland. The language of the public defence is English.
For further information, please contact:
Ida Herdieckerhoff, ida.herdieckerhoff(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 50 341 8391
