Gunilla Almered Olsson

Biography

 Professor in Human Ecology, University of Gothenburg since 2007 • Professor in Environmental Science, University of Karlstad, 2001 • Edberg Honorary Professor at University of Karlstad, 2001 – “for interdisciplinary work bridging natural and social sciences in the context of sustainable development”.  • Associate Professor in Vegetation Science at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norge, 1990 • PhD in Plant Ecology at Lund University, 1984 • Chair of research group Global Sustainability Studies at Global Studies, University of Gothenburg

Research Interest

Gunilla’s research interests are on human impact on rural and peri-urban ecosystems with focus on land use, food production, agricultural activities and conservation of natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services within the context of sustainable development. She is project leader and participant in a number of interdisciplinary research projects emphasizing landscape dynamics in relation to land use and socio-economic factors in Europe and Africa: Madagascar, Tanzania and Ivory Coast. Gunilla’s research collaboration with social and humanistic sciences (Archaeology, Environmental History and Geography) has continued since 1984. An example is the mega project The cultural landscape during 6000 in Sweden, (see publication list: Berglund ed.1991) and several EU-project. The projects BioScene EU FRP5; SECOA EU FRP 7; RETHINK EU-ERANET studied agricultural restructuring, effects of agricultural activities on biodiversity and human livelihoods in European mountain regions, cities in coastal regions with climate challenges and sustainable food production in Europe. Research funding has been received from EU research, Norwegian Research Council, NORAD, SIDA, Formas, Vetenskapsrådet, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, Nordiskt Kollegium för ekologi and Naturvårdsverket.