Board Membership
Member, Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the Global Commission on Science Missions for Sustainability co-chaired by Helen Clark and Irina Bokova, 2021-present.
Co-Chair (with Dr. Sharachchandra Lele) of drafting process for official letter from scientists and scholars of the world to the Stockholm+50 Conference, 2022.
Co-Chair (with Professor Jim Hurrell), Task Team on Climate Intervention, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), 2021-present.
Chair of the Board, UN University-Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), 2019-present.
Board UN University-Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), 2014-present
Appointed by Rector of UN University as one of four board members to ensure scientific excellence in the activities of the institute, review strategic plans, work programmes and budgets, and promote its work.
Yale Sustainability Advisory Council, 2017-present
The 20-member Advisory Council offers guidance and inspiration on Yale’s Sustainability Plan and engages with the Yale Office of Sustainability and Yale’s leadership.
Millennium Institute Board of Trustees, 2017-present
Work with Millennium Institute leadership and staff to advance the mission of the institute to support countries in developing effective strategies to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.
Chair of the Jury, New Shape Prize of the Global Challenges Foundation, 2017-2018
Appointed Chair of the 9-member jury to select recipients of the $5 million New Shape Prize to reform global governance awarded by the Global Challenges Foundation in May 2018.
UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, 2014-2018
Appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as one of 26 scientists from around the world to advise the Secretary-General on science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development.
Global Young Academy Advisory Board, 2016-2019
The Advisory Board councils the Academy about global trends on science and policy, and assists in realizing its vision to empower young scientists to lead international interdisciplinary dialogue.
Ecologic Institute, Berlin, 2009-2017
Provided guidance to the director of Ecologic Institute on issues of environment and sustainable development.
Faculty Associate, Governance, Environment, and Markets Initiative at Yale University, 2012-present
High-Level Advisory Group to UN Science-Policy-Business Forum Governing Consortium, 2017
The Forum aims to strengthen the interface between science, policy, and business in areas related to environment and sustainable development to help inform the work of the UN Environment Assembly and regional ministerial fora. The 20-member Advisory Group will guide, facilitate and empower the Forum.
Expert Advisory Work
Board Member, World Climate Research Programme Joint Scientific Committee. 2021-Present
UNEP-MIT Climate CoLab contest. Member of the Jury. Exploring Synergistic Solutions for Sustainable Development. February 2018.
UN University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability. Member of Director Recruitment Panel. November 2017-March 2018.
Facilitator. International Environmental Governance Member-State Workshop. Glion, Switzerland, June 2017.
Worked with the Federal Office for Environment of Switzerland to organize and moderate a workshop on international environmental governance for member state representatives.
Carnegie Climate Governance (C2G) Initiative Advisory Group. 2017-present. The Advisory Group guides the initiative in its mission to catalyze the establishment of effective governance for climate governance and provide insight into key issues relevant to achievement of the C2G mission.
Co-Chair. International Environmental Governance Expert Workshop. New York, July 2016. Worked with UN Environment Programme to facilitate an expert workshop on international environmental governance.
Global Sustainability Report. Commentator and reviewer of chapters for the Global Sustainable Development Report produced by the United Nations. 2015.
United Nations Environment Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization: member of five-person external advisory panel to review research report “Arrangements Pursuant to the ‘Synergies Decisions’ on Cooperation and Coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions” (with Anna Ortiz, Ministry of Environment, Costa Rica; Juha Uitto, UNDP Evaluation Office; Niek van der Graaf, Former Chief FAO Plant Protection Service; and Robert Coong Kwet-Yive, University of Mauritius). 2013.
United Nations Environment Programme: Coordinating Lead Author for the policy chapter "Global Responses" in the Global Environmental Outlook 5. Nominated by the U.S. Department of State. 2010-2012.
United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services: member of three-person external advisory panel to review the “Programme Evaluation of the United Nations Environment Programme,” with Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF and Prodipto Ghosh, Ministry of Environment and Forests, India. 2012.
United Nations: member of informal Advisory Group on the creation of the “UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.” New York, NY. 2010.
Flagship Conferences Organized
Co-organizer and convener, UNITAR Executive Summer Programme on Innovations in Science Diplomacy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, Boston University, and Swissnex, June 21-July 2, 2021.
Co-organizer and convener, Evidentia: Proof and Decision-making, 2019 Boston Science Diplomacy Dissertation Enhancement Workshop, University of Massachusetts Boston, MIT, Tufts, Boston University, UMass Club, October 10-11, 2019.
Co-Organizer, Land of a Thousand Ideas: Rwanda and the Sustainability Challenge. Coasts and Communities Conference featuring student research and the vice chancellor of University of Rwanda, Prof. Philip Cotton. Boston, MA. May 4, 2018.
Moderator, International Environmental Governance: Implementing Reform. Member-state driven workshop convened by the Federal Office of Environment of Switzerland. Glion, Switzerland. June 20-22, 2017.
Co-Moderator, UNEP workshop on Achieving Environmental sustainability for Sustainable Development. New-York, NY. July 21-22, 2016.
Co-Organizer, Coasts and Communities Seminar Series. Guest speakers Richard Boone, Director of the National Science Foundation, Stanley Johnson, Ambassador for the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species, and Susan Avery, President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. UMass Boston, Boston, MA. September 24, October 29, and November 19, 2014.
Organizer, several visits from high-level Addis Ababa University delegations. Facilitated partnership between UMass Boston and Addis Ababa University, 2013-2016.
Co-Organizer, 2013 Annual Sylvia and Benjamin Slomoff Lecture Series in Conflict Resolution "From Climate Conflict to Climate Action: Capturing the Greatest Opportunities of Our Generation" by Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. UMass Boston, Boston, MA. April 24, 2013.
Facilitator, Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African/Ethiopian Universities (MESA/MESE). Center for Governance and Sustainability at UMass Boston, Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Centre/Network, United Nations Environment Programme, and Rhodes University of South Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. November 19-23, 2012.
Convener and organizer, Designing Global Governance for Sustainability: Launch of Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) and PhD Program on Global Governance and Human Security. UMass Boston, Boston, MA. September 21, 2012.
Co-organizer and co-host, Global Climate Student Coalition Workshop. UMass Boston, Yale University, and Fundação Getulio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. June 19, 2012.
Facilitator, Policy Dialogues on International Environmental Governance at the United Nations. Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, New York, NY. December 2011 and May 2012.
Co-organizer, Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) Production Meeting. United Nations Environment Programme, UMass Boston, MA, November 1-4, 2011.
Co-organizer, International Environmental Governance Workshop. Federal Office for the Environment of Switzerland, Global Environmental Governance Project at the Center for Governance and Sustainability, and World Trade Institute at the University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. June 26-28, 2011.
Co-organizer, Rio 2012: Ethiopia’s Input to the Sustainability Summit. Center for Governance and Sustainability at UMass Boston, Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre/Network, the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, Forum for Environment, and Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society. May 25-26, 2011.
Facilitator, Global Environmental Governance Forums in Ethiopia, Nepal, Argentina, Uganda, and China. Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre/Network, Forum for Environment, Department of Social Work at the Kadambari Memorial College, Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Asociación Civil Red Ambiental, Asociación Nacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Makerere University, and Institute of Environmental Public Policy at Peking University. August-September 2010.
Convener and organizer, The Global Environmental Governance Forum: Reflecting on the Past, Moving into the Future. Global Environmental Governance Project, Glion, Switzerland. June 28-July 2, 2009. Convened all five UNEP Executive Directors for the first and only time.
Convener and organizer, Global Environmental Governance Dialogues. Global Environmental Governance Project, various locations. 1998-2008.
Panelist, “SDG midterm review: what have we learned from implementation to date? How can we fast-track progress?” 2022 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) of the United Nations, convened by International Science Council, July 7, 2022.
Distinguished Speaker and Panelist, UN Science-Policy-Business Forum (SPBF) on the Environment, Stockholm+50 Conference, June 2-3, 2022.
Panelist, 50 Years of Environmental Policies side event, Stockholm+50 Conference, June 3, 2022.
Presenter, “United Nations Environment Programme: End Plastic Pollution: Towards an internationally legally binding instrument” with Juliet Kabera, lead negotiator of Rwanda. International Summit on Plastic Pollution, Long Island University, April 6, 2022.
Panelist, “Women in Leadership in Global Governance: Leadership in Environmental Institutions,” International Studies Association Annual Convention, March 28, 2022.
Panelist, “50 Years of UN Environmental Governance: Looking Back and Moving Forward,” International Studies Association Annual Convention, March 28, 2022.
Presenter multistakehoder dialogue on The UNEP We Want, UNEP@50 commemoration, Nairobi, Kenya, March 4, 2022.
Moderator Looking Back: 50 Years of the UN Environment Programme, a high-level official session leadership dialogue, UNEP@50 commemoration, Nairobi, Kenya, March 4, 2022.
Moderator for Educated Climate Solutions: a publication launch and panel discussion on “The Knowledge Sector: The role of Higher Education Institutions in addressing Global Environmental Challenges”, January 26, 2022.
Panelist, “UNEP and Peaceful Change,” at International Organizations and Peaceful Change: Theory and Practice workshop, Global Research Network on Peaceful Change, January 15, 2022.
Guest Lecturer at Indian Society for International Law Eleventh Winter Course on Law of International Institutions on “UNEP at Fifty: International Environmental Law and Governance”, January 4, 2022.
Guest Lecturer at Management Research Centre (MRC) Corporate Governance and Sustainability Research Cluster Seminars University of Wolverhampton, UK, on “Reimagining environmental multilateralism: The United Nations and the Nation States”, November 15, 2021.
Keynote Speaker, The Stockholm +49 Summit - Pathway to the 2022 Declaration, “How the Stockholm+49 Civil Society Declaration can contribute to a fruitful Declaration and future process after Stockholm+50?”, Oct 21, 2021.
Speaker, “Planetary governance for a sustainable recovery: next generation multilateralism,” Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, October 12, 2021.
Keynote Panel participant, UN Environment Programme Global Town Hall with Executive Director Inger Andersen and Deputy Executive Director Joyce Msuya, September 15, 2021.
Speaker at 2021 Bratislava Conference, Earth System Governance in turbulent times: prospects for political and behavioral responses, on “Reimagining Environmental Multilateralism: What role for the UN Environmental Programme?” September 9, 2021.
Keynote/Plenary Address, Global Environmental Governance, UN Environment Programme online workshops on the implementation of UNGA resolution 73/333, July 7, 2021.
Presenter, Book Roundtable on The Untold Story of the World’s Leading Environmental Institution: UNEP at Fifty by Maria Ivanova, Academic Council on the UN System Annual Conference, June 25, 2021.
Keynote/Plenary Address, Implementation of Global Environmental Goals, High-Level Ministerial Meeting with the Business Sector, United Nations Environment Programme, June 9, 2021.
Keynote/Plenary Address, Turning the Tide on Marine Plastics: How UNEA-5 can be a turning point (Open meeting), Act#ForNature Global Online Forum, UN Environment Programme, June 8, 2021.
Panelist, High-Level Panel at the Science-Policy-Business Forum at the UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, February 20, 2021.
Panelist, Environmental Successes, Crossroads and Turning Points. Reflections on UNEP at Fifty Webinar at the UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, February 17, 2021.
Panelist, In or Out: Trump vs. Biden on the U.S.' Role in International Affairs at USC Global Policy Institute, October 28, 2020.
Panelist, The United Nations at 75: Looking Back to Look Forward at Carnegie Council, October 22, 2020.
Moderator, International Agreements, Plastics and the Environment: Science Meets Public Policy, MIT, June 18-19, 2020.
Moderator, “Earth Week 2020: A Conversation with Christiana Figueres” Boston, April 16, 2020.
Panelist, Tufts Energy Conference: Climate Governance at Tufts University, Boston, February 29, 2020.
Paper presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “Excellence and Accountability: Africa’s Paradigm Shift in Global Environment Governance” African Studies Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, November 22, 2019.
Participant and Presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy and Anna Dubrova, “Evaluating the Implementation of global environmental conventions” Paris Peace Forum, Paris (France), November 11-13, 2018.
Presenter, “Global Environmental Conventions: Rwanda as a top performer” Impact Hub, Kigali, Rwanda, March 13, 2018
Guest Lecturer in Smith Scholar Series, “Climate Change After Paris,” The Roxbury Latin School, Boston, MA, January 19, 2018
Panelist, High-Level Panel at the Science-Policy-Business Forum at the UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, December 7, 2017
Panelist, “Global Pact for the Environment,” UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, December 8, 2017
Paper Presenter, “Arab League Performance on Environmental Conventions,” Arab Forum for Environment and Development, Beirut, Lebanon, November 2, 2017
Moderator, “Mapping accountability on environmental rights,” Conference on the Global Pact for the Environment, Columbia University, September 20, 2017
Paper Presenter, “Performance on Environmental Conventions – the Case of Asia,” Political Economy Conference, University of Kyoto, Japan, October 27, 2017
Presenter, “International Environmental Governance,” Federal Office for Environment of Switzerland, Glion, Switzerland, June 2017
Panelist, “Global Environmental Risks, Global Catastrophic Risks,” Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, April 2017.
Presenter, “Performance on Global Environmental Conventions: Country Cases,” UNEP Committee of Permanent Representatives Meeting, UN Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya, March 2017
Panelist, “New Wave of Environmental Actors,” Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, February 2017
Paper Presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “Protecting the Environment and Human Health: Developing countries and their role in implementing the Chemicals & Waste regime” International Studies Association Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD, February 23, 2017
Paper Presenter, “The Logic of Performance in International Environmental Organizations: Understanding UNEP,” International Studies Association 2017 Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD, February 2017
Panelist, “Innovative Teaching of Global Environmental Governance and Policy,” International Studies Association Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD, February 2017
Guest Lecturer, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy “Environmental conventions and their implementation” Yale University / Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies – Summer School. EVST S245/ F&ES S245/ PLSC 1460 / International and Environmental Policy and Governance taught by Prof. Benjamin Cashore, New Haven, CT, February 6, 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Implementation of the Global Environmental Conventions: the Performance of Nordic Countries,” Ministry of Environment, Sweden, Stockholm, January 2017
Guest Lecturer, “National Reporting to International Conventions: Lessons from the Environment,” Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, January 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Making reporting efficient – lessons learned from MEAs,” Nordic Seminar on Global Chemicals and Wastes Governance Beyond 2020, Nordic Council and Ministry of Environment of Finland, Helsinki, January 2017
Guest Lecturer, “Good COP, Bad COP: Climate Change After Paris,” Climate Change Lecture Series, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, December 2016
Paper Presenter and Participant, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “Africa’s path in Global Environmental Governance: How African countries are implementing global environmental conventions” Earth Systems Governance Conference, Nairobi (Kenya), December 7-9, 2016
Guest Lecturer, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy “Global Environmental Conventions and Sustainable Development” Yale University / Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Fall 2016/ F&ES 799 / GLBL 571 / Sustainable Development Goals and Implementation taught by Prof. Gordon
Geballe and Prof. Julia Marton-Lefèvre, New Haven, CT, September 8, 2016
Paper Presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “The environmental dimension of sustainable development: What the SDGs can learn from global environmental conventions” Academic Council of the United Nations System (ACUNS) Annual Meeting, New York, NY, June 18, 2016
Paper Presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “Africa’s path in global environmental governance: How African countries are implementing global environmental conventions” UMass Boston Workshop – Africa in the 21st Century: Prospects for Secure Sustainable Development, Cambridge, MA, April 8, 2016
Paper Presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “Defining and Implementing the SDGs: Lessons from Previous Global Development Goals” International Studies Association Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA, March 18, 2016
Paper Presenter, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy, “Africa’s path in global environmental governance: How African countries are implementing global environmental conventions” International Studies Association Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA, March 18, 2016
Lecturer, with Natalia Escobar-Pemberthy “Implementation of global environmental conventions in Africa: The cases of the biodiversity and the chemicals conventions”, Regional Environment Diplomacy Institute (REDI), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), January 15, 2016
Panelist, “The Science-Policy-Society Interface: Implementation Lessons for the SDGs from the Global Environmental Conventions.” 2015 International Conference on Sustainable Development. New York, New York, September 24, 2015.
Panelist, “Successful Transition from MDGs to SDGs: the Critical Role of STI & the Science-Policy Interface.” Hosted by UNESCO. New York, New York, July 8, 2015.
Panelist, “Keeping science involved in SDG implementation.” High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development organized by UN Economic and Social Council. New York, New York, June 29, 2015.
Chair, “High-level Panels as a tool of United Nations Secretary-General Leadership.” During the ACUNS 2015 Annual Meeting. The Hague, Netherlands, June 11-13, 2015.
Dinner Dialogue, “Global Environmental Goals and Obligations: The Challenges and Opportunities of Implementing Environmental Conventions.” Event sponsored by Ecologic Institute in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies. Berlin, Germany, June 8, 2015.
Facilitator, “100RC Boston Agenda-Setting Workshop” to create the City Resilience Framework as part of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative created by The Rockefeller Foundation. Boston, MA, May 19, 2015.
Presenter, “Science for Sustainable Chemicals and Waste Management in the 21st Century.” Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, Science Fair on the theme of From Science to Action: Working for a Safer Tomorrow, Geneva, Switzerland, May 8, 2015.
Presenter, workshop on “Quantifying Resilience.” East African Environment Risk & Opportunities Summit. Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti, May 2-4 2015.
Roundtable Participant, “Science, Technology, and Innovation: Critical Means of Implementation for the SDGs.” Hosted by the United Nations during the 4th session of the Post-2015 Intergovernmental negotiations, that focuses on: Means of Implementation and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. New York, NY, April 23 2015.
Presenter, “Science, Environmental Conventions and SIDS Resilience.” Experts Meeting on Enhancing the Science-Policy Interface in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) and the Commission of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Castries, St. Lucia, March 16-18, 2015.