Simon Addison

Background

About Simon Addison

I conduct research and lead initiatives to address the climate and biodiversity crises in low income countries, with a focus on climate justice and food systems transformation. An expert on sustainable development, environmental management and humanitarian action in contexts affected by climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and displacement, I have over 20 years' experience supporting marginalised communities to manage social, economic and environmental risks, especially in the Greater Horn of Africa. My experience includes work with the UN, major NGOs, and academic institutions as a manager, technical advisor and researcher on climate change adaptation, resilient livelihoods development, disaster management, women’s empowerment, governance and human rights. I hold Masters degrees in Geography and International Development from the Universities of Oxford and Melbourne, and conducted research on the political ecology of internal displacement crises at the Universities of Oxford and Manchester. I have held research posts at the Universities of Oxford and Manchester, City University of New York (CUNY), the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London and York University in Toronto. I am currently a doctoral candidate at York University, where I am researching the political ecology of private sector investment into Nature Based Solutions to the climate crisis. My country experience includes work in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Zimbabwe, Malawi, India, East Timor and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and I have led regional initiatives across the Horn, East and Central Africa.