Besides my chairmanship for HuFoSS, I am a member of the steering committees of major EU-projects and a Professor at the Oceanographic Institute of the University of Gdansk, Poland. At my work, I unfortunately see often in meetings the researchers, policymakers and stakeholders talk past each other. Many remain stuck within their own field of interest. As a result, a great deal of knowledge and experience remains unused, consultations are slow, and decisions are not shared. And the really necessary decisions to achieve a more sustainable society are not taken or are (too) late and incomplete. Within HuFoSS, therefore, it is my goal to bring different parties and approaches together to achieve a more sustainable nature and society. I like to see such a sustainable environment because in addition to my work, in my free time I can be found more outside than inside: at home, besides the necessary housekeeping, I am mainly busy in the garden, for sports especially on waterways to row, and for vacation often in the mountains for hiking from mountain-cabin to mountain-cabin.

My passion lies in leveraging geospatial technologies to tackle environmental challenges and foster sustainability. With a Master’s degree in Geoinformatics and a strong background in GIS analysis, spatial modelling, and data interpretation, I contribute to HuFoSS by exploring the interplay between ecological, cultural, and socio-economic factors. I enjoy engaging with stakeholders to align diverse perspectives and ensure meaningful contributions to sustainable projects. Outside work, I find inspiration in outdoor activities and prioritize fostering kindness and collaboration in all aspects of life.

During my bachelor's in Security Studies, I have learned to approach contemporary issues from multiple disciplines. My interest lies particularly in regions such as the Arctic or the Sahel, where climate change and other ecological factors clearly play a leading role in security challenges. Projects I have previously been involved in have shown me the importance of bringing together different perspectives to gain new insights and proactively address these issues. This aligns perfectly with the approach of HuFoSS, where I am eager to contribute to a balance between nature and society.

From a young age, I have had a great sense of wonder for nature. This sense of wonder has only grown. As an interdisciplinary researcher, I enjoy looking at how we, as humans, can live in balance with nature from different perspectives, as we are an intrinsic part of it. In searching for possible solutions, a complete understanding of the socio-ecological and cultural context is essential. Participation and weighing opposing interests are, of course, part of this - something I have a lot of experience with through my professional background in government. I do not view participation as a mere checkbox exercise, but as an essential component in arriving at solid, integrated, and widely supported solutions. HuFoSS offers me the opportunity to do exactly this.

The ocean and a commitment to protecting nature have been driving forces in my life. During my MSc programme, I worked on complex sustainability challenges such as climate change, inequality, and biodiversity loss, and explored how communities and ecosystems respond to change. This shaped my interdisciplinary approach to social ecological research. My interest lies in Indigenous and local knowledge integration and environmental justice, especially in marine contexts, and I enjoy bridging perspectives across science, policy, and the lived realities of people and places. I also bring experience in conservation fundraising and partnership development, turning field-based conservation priorities into strong cases for support. At HuFoSS, I support interdisciplinary projects and collaboration processes that bring researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders into the same conversation, so decisions draw on multiple forms of expertise.

Nature is often studied separately from society, yet in the real world the two are deeply interconnected. I hope that joining HuFoSS will allow me to explore and understand these connections through a scientific lens. I am currently studying biology and marine biotechnology at Klaipėda University, Lithuania, driven by a strong passion for the ocean and marine ecosystems. Beyond marine science, I am fascinated by human connections, diverse cultures, and languages. Engaging with stakeholders and learning from their perspectives on the marine environment opens new horizons, revealing how views differ across regions and generations. I strongly believe that sustainable actions must be taken today to preserve our natural world for future generations.

Actually I have a love for construction activities from an early age. I could watch fascinated for hours at construction projects. That is why, after high school, the only logical choice for me to continue my studies was in construction engineering. After my education, through the middle and higher technical schools and university, the jobs were not easily available and I was, in the midst of the last crisis period, already happy to have been offered a job, and I started to work in offshore buildings. When the oil market collapsed with the subsequent austerity, I made the decision to go back to my roots: construction engineering. Since then I have been working in various functions as an engineer. Hereby I was able to gain expertise in (technical) process improvement and implementation. I use these skills within HuFoSS to improve the relationship between people, its built environment, and the natural environment.