Prof. Mulala Simatele | Environmental Science
| Best Research Article Award
Prof. Mulala Simatele | University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa
Prof. Mulala Simatele is a distinguished British-Zambian geographer and Full Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, specializing in environmental management and sustainability science. With over three decades of academic and professional experience, he has made transformative contributions to climate change adaptation, natural resource management, and sustainable development policy in Africa and beyond. His work integrates research, teaching, and consultancy, with expertise spanning mining, water resources, food security, biodiversity, waste management, and environmental rehabilitation. Professor Simatele has provided technical guidance to global organizations, governments, and international development agencies, contributing to impactful policy and institutional strategies. A thought leader in environmental systems and sustainability transitions, he continues to mentor future scholars while leading pioneering projects on climate resilience and sustainable resource governance.
Professional Profile
Scopus
ORCID
Suitability for the Best Research Article Award
Prof. Mulala Simatele research demonstrates exceptional scholarly depth, interdisciplinary rigor, and global relevance, making him a strong contender for the Best Research Article Award. His publications address urgent sustainability challenges, advancing theoretical understanding while offering practical policy frameworks for climate adaptation, environmental rehabilitation, and resource governance. Through impactful collaborations with organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, and DFID, his research has shaped environmental strategies across Africa, South America, and Europe. His work stands out for its integration of human-environment dynamics, critical policy analysis, and innovative approaches to sustainable development. Professor Simatele’s ability to link academic insight with real-world application ensures his scholarship has far-reaching academic, societal, and environmental impact, embodying excellence and leadership in research and knowledge dissemination.
Education
Prof. Mulala Simatele holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography from the University of Sussex, where his research examined the socio-economic and environmental dynamics of urban agriculture in Lusaka. He earned a Master of Science in Development Geography and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Human and Economic Geography from the University of Gothenburg, focusing on migration, urbanization, and structural reforms. His undergraduate studies at the University of Zambia in Education and Teacher Training provided a strong foundation in pedagogy, research, and community development. His multidisciplinary academic background combines environmental science, development geography, and education, positioning him as a global expert on environmental policy and sustainability. This strong educational foundation underpins his expertise in climate change, natural resource management, and environmental governance.
Work Experience
Prof. Mulala Simatele has extensive academic, research, and consultancy experience across Africa, Europe, and South America. At the University of the Witwatersrand, he leads the MSc Programme in Environmental Science and supervises postgraduate research at master’s and doctoral levels. He previously served as Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of St Andrews, developing sustainable development programs and advancing interdisciplinary environmental studies. His career includes technical advisory roles with governments and international organizations, contributing to environmental policy, climate change adaptation, and resource management strategies. He has delivered high-impact projects for the World Bank, FAO, DFID, and other agencies, demonstrating leadership in program design, policy analysis, and impact evaluation. Professor Simatele’s career reflects exceptional dedication to advancing environmental education, sustainability science, and global development.
Awards and Honors
Prof. Mulala Simatele has received recognition for his leadership in environmental research, sustainable development, and international collaboration. He has served as a technical advisor to the Scottish Government on climate resilience and low-carbon transitions and has been appointed to advisory and steering committees of major international organizations. His expertise has been sought by global agencies including the World Bank, FAO, and IDRC for his contributions to climate adaptation, policy development, and natural resource governance. Professor Simatele’s academic achievements are marked by impactful publications, invited talks, and contributions to major sustainability initiatives. His mentorship of emerging researchers and leadership in environmental science have earned him international respect, cementing his status as a thought leader and advocate for science-driven environmental solutions.
Research Focus
Prof. Mulala Simatele research focuses on sustainability science, climate adaptation, and environmental management systems, emphasizing integrated approaches to resource governance and policy innovation. His work examines human-environment interactions across diverse contexts, with a strong emphasis on sustainable mining, biodiversity conservation, waste management, climate-smart agriculture, and water resource governance. He specializes in developing community-based natural resource management models and institutional responses to environmental change, fostering resilience and low-carbon transitions. His research also explores urban and rural environmental systems, environmental rehabilitation, and social-ecological dynamics, generating knowledge that bridges science and policy. Through international collaborations, he advances research that informs climate strategies, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental justice, making significant contributions to addressing global sustainability challenges and promoting equitable, evidence-based environmental decision-making.
Publication Top Notes
-
Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms to Urbanisation and Land Use Change in Selected Residential Areas of Lusaka Urban District.
-
Year: 2025
-
Adapting to climate change: Women’s livelihood strategies in uMkhanyakude District Municipality.
-
Year: 2025
-
Enhancing water management in South Africa: the need for efficiency in monitoring and evaluation programmes .
-
Year: 2025
-
Examining multifaceted constraints to just transitioning agenda in Africa: integrating sustainable social and economic perspectives into policy framework .
-
Year: 2025
-
Impact of capacity building through learning, training, and coaching on agricultural innovation .
-
Year: 2025
-
Spatial assessment of climate change, water resource management, adaptation and governance in South Africa .
-
Year: 2025
-
The Effect of Compost and Moringa Leaf Extract Biostimulant on the Phytoremediation of Gold Mine Tailing Storage Facilities in South Africa Using Chrysopogon Zizanioides (L.) Roberty .
-
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Prof. Mulala Simatele distinguished academic career, global consultancy roles, and transformative research in climate change adaptation, natural resource governance, and sustainability science make him highly suitable for the Research for Best Research Article Award. His research offers practical policy relevance, deep scientific insight, and measurable community impact. By amplifying his work’s visibility and integrating measurable impact metrics, he could further solidify his position as a thought leader in environmental research.