
- Institutt for internasjonale miljø- og utviklingsstudier, Noragric
With 30 years of post-Ph.D. experience in research, teaching, and international collaboration, I have specialized in diverse environmental and development issues within an interdisciplinary framework. My work primarily focuses on understanding the ecological and socio-economic factors shaping environmental changes and global issues. Diverse topics of expertise include anthropogenic impacts on soil, water, and air, land use dynamics, carbon dynamics, land degradation, system analyses, environmental education, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and personal transformation relevant to ecosystem management global development and higher education. I have extensive institutional collaboration and research experience across Europe, Asia (including several years of field experience from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan), Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi), and the Western Balkans. My leadership roles encompass administrative duties, project coordination, contract and financial management, as well as program development and networking. Additionally, I have designed educational programs, developed course curricula, and produced educational documentaries. Beyond academia, I have actively engaged in public speaking and social work, serving as President/Co-Chair of social and charity organizations, delivering public talks, and garnering significant media coverage.
My sabbatical at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, marked a turning point. Immersed in Contemplative Education and Research, I deepened my practice and understanding of mindfulness, earning certifications as a Mindfulness Meditation Instructor and in Mindful Leadership (Mindful at Work - Rodale). This experience continues to shape my teaching, research, and public engagements.
Over the years, I have developed and taught transformative courses such as "Psychology and Personal Transformation," "Global Environmental Change and Transformation," and an advanced non-western International Relations curriculum at NMBU. In these courses, I weave together Yogic, Buddhist, Daoist, and Sufi philosophies to offer students tools for reflective inquiry, emotional resilience, and ethical leadership.
My academic publications and books, including "Living Deep with Inner Compass" and "Implementing Transformative Education with Participatory Action Research," reflect this integration of inner transformation and outer action. These works aim to inspire educators, students, and practitioners to cultivate mindfulness, self-awareness, and transformative capacity within rapidly changing environments.
I regularly offer keynote lectures, public talks, and workshops on topics such as emotional intelligence, mindfulness, spiritual ecology, and the relevance of ancient wisdom for contemporary education and sustainability. I have facilitated transformation-focused retreats and training in Nepal, Malawi, and Europe, bringing contemplative approaches into diverse cultural and academic contexts.
In addition to traditional research, I have produced multimedia teaching materials that highlight transformative thinking rooted in timeless traditions. These include educational videos featuring teachings on Gandhi, Confucianism, Daoism, Sufism, and the feminine divine, and how they relate to modern leadership, peacebuilding, and ecological balance.
My commitment is to foster a deeper connection between head, heart, and hands in academia—to advance holistic education that not only informs but also transforms. I believe that by cultivating inner awareness, compassion, and presence, we can create more resilient, ethical, and sustainable societies. Transformation, for me, is not just a subject of study—it is a lived path that informs my life, leadership, and scholarly work.
Examples of my research projects (project leader):
Transformation in agriculture in a rapidly changing climate: A bilateral collaboration in education and research between Norway and Croatia, 2023-2024/MFA
Innovations in teaching and learning through contextualized approaches to increase the quality, relevance and sustainability of education in Nepal, 2016-2023/NORAD
Strengthening Research, Education and Advocacy in Conflict, Peace and Development Studies. ( SREA-CPDS), 2013-2022/NORAD
Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change (CABMACC) Programme in Malawi, 2013-2019/UD- RNE
Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change – Networking, Education, Research and Extension in the West Balkans, 2012-2015/UD-HERD
Forest and Soil Restoration and Land Use Change Impacts on Carbon Pools and Fluxes in the Himalaya: Research and Capacity Building in Nepal, 2011-2015/ NFR
“Assessment, reduction and prevention of air, water and soil pollution in stara zagora region", 2009-2011/Innovation Norge
Conservation of Biological Diversity and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: Capacity Building for Interdisciplinary Research and Application, 2007 to 2011/Ministry of Foreign Affairs
NOMA Master Programme in Environment , Education and Sustainable Development (Project ID: 2007/10037), 2008 to 2014/SIU-NORAD
Start up fund for NOMA Master Programme in Environment , Education and Sustainable Development (Project ID: 2007/10037), 2007/SIU
NOMA Master Programme in Conflict, Peace Building and Development, 2007 to 2014/SIU-NORAD
Start up fund for NOMA Master Programme in Conflict, Peace Building and Development, 2006/SIU-NORAD
Teachers Education Programme South-North (Project ID: 5544 ), 2006 to 2007/SIU-NORAD
Start up fund for Teachers Education Programme South-North (Project ID: 5544 ), 2005/SIU-NORAD
NUFU- Education, Research and Training for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Watershed of Nepal, 2003 to 2007/SIU-NORAD
NUFU- Education, Research and Training for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Hiamalyan Watershed, 2007 to 2012/SIU-NORAD
Education, Research and Training for Global Environmental Change and Sustainable management of Natural Resources in Western Balkans (Project ID: WB 06/06), 2006 to 2010/SIU
Agricultural intensification impacts on soil, water and socio-economic condition in mid-hill watershed of Central Nepal, 2004 to 2008/NORAD
Triangular Institutional collaboration project between Norway, India and Ethiopia, 2003 to 2006/NORAD
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