
Ellen Natasha-Magano Nako
Second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges / Deuxième cohorte du programme de Bourses africaines pour la recherche sur les savoirs autochtones et alternatifs (AFRIAK)
Affliation
University of Namibia (UNAM), based in Windhoek, Namibia
Discipline
Wildlife Management and Ecotourism
Country / Pays
Namibia
Project Title / Titre du projet
Integrating Indigenous and Western Scientific Methods for Inclusive Biodiversity Biomonitoring in Namibia.
Biography / Biographie
I am currently completing my MSc in Wildlife Management and Ecotourism at the University of Namibia, with submission of my thesis scheduled for this month. My research focuses on biodiversity monitoring and community ecology, contributing to context-relevant conservation knowledge in Namibia.
Alongside my thesis, I am actively involved in a collaborative research project examining insect, bird, and plant diversity across Namibia, with a focus on how land-use change and environmental gradients influence biodiversity patterns. In this role, I contribute to data analysis, interpretation, and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications aimed at strengthening ecological knowledge for sustainable land management.
I also serve as an academic assistant to my supervisor, supporting lecturing, student mentorship, and practical training. Following submission of my thesis, my primary focus will shift fully to research analysis and scientific publication, contributing to knowledge production at the intersection of ecology, conservation, and community-linked landscapes.