Mahmood Soofi has been awarded an Einstein Independent Researcher grant at Geography Department of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, where he will establish and lead an independent research group. His research addresses a central issue in nature conservation: how different priorities, dependencies and perceptions shape relationships in and around protected areas. Biodiversity conservation is a priority for many, whereas local communities often depend on natural resources for food security and livelihoods.
In Cameroon, Soofi and his team will examine how these factors give rise to tensions among protected-area staff and local communities. Combining conservation social psychology and ecology, they aim to develop a novel interdisciplinary framework for analysing these dynamics and to test whether evidence-based training can bolster communication, trust and cooperation. The findings will inform more effective, equitable and socially just conservation decisions.