I have been strongly engaged in the global change research community since the late 1990s, and I am eager to now contribute to Future Earth’s work in the coming critical years as a member of its Governing Council.

My core involvement in this community has been as the founding chair of the Earth System Governance Project, which I led from 2006 to 2018. I have also been actively involved with the earlier International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), particularly through its Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change core project, where I co-organized the project’s synthesis conference in 2006. Over the past two decades, I have participated in numerous meetings and initiatives under IHDP, the Earth System Science Partnership, and more recently, Future Earth. I have had the privilege of organizing and hosting several major international conferences and workshops, which were endorsed or co-sponsored by Future Earth or its predecessors. I am the editor of a Future Earth-related journal, “Earth System Governance”, and I coedit book series on earth system governance with MIT Press and Cambridge University Press. Throughout my career, I have remained a steadfast advocate for international, transdisciplinary, and transformative research collaboration. I am excited about the opportunity to join the Future Earth Governing Council and to contribute to shaping the next phase of its impactful work.

In terms of research background, I am a political scientist and international lawyer with a research professorship in Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. With a strong foundation in the social sciences, I have worked closely with natural scientists throughout my career, and I am deeply aligned with Future Earth’s mission to promote interdisciplinary research that unites diverse communities in pursuit of solutions to today’s most urgent sustainability challenges. In addition, I share a firm conviction that the planetary crisis is fundamentally a crisis of planetary injustice, and I fully support Future Earth’s commitment to advancing planetary justice and to fostering diversity and inclusion across all of its initiatives. Additional details about my work can be found in my attached CV.

I am deeply committed to advancing Future Earth’s vision of a sustainable and equitable world, guided by accessible, shared knowledge. As an Early Career Researcher (ECR) from a Low and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), I am particularly dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering future leaders. I lead the “Empowering Future Leadership” initiative, which fosters leadership development and collaboration among ECRs and coastal stakeholders, aiming to create a coastal sustainability value chain that empowers the next generation to drive global change. Additionally, I support women scientists and emerging leaders through initiatives like the “Future Earth Coasts Dialogue” interview series and the ECR Small Grant Program, which empowers ECR-led projects and fosters leadership development.

I am committed to advancing global sustainability through initiatives such as “Tour de Coasts,” which facilitates knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and communities. As co-PI of the “Meta-Network” project, I unite global and regional coastal and ocean programs under the Future Earth umbrella, addressing gaps in coastal zone management and strengthening existing initiatives. This effort fosters collaboration and creates a platform for evidence-based decision-making. By prioritizing healthy ecosystems, responsible resource management, and climate adaptation, I work to preserve coastal ecosystems and livelihoods for future generations.

Looking ahead, I envision a clear agenda for Future Earth beyond 2025, centered on inclusive decision-making and strategic planning. This involves integrating Global Research Networks (GRNs) into key processes to foster impactful collaboration and prioritizing a robust fundraising strategy to secure large-scale funding. Emphasizing decentralized support and cross-cutting initiatives, I aim to streamline GRN activities and optimize resources, empowering Future Earth to address global sustainability challenges effectively and ensure a more equitable, inclusive future. It would be an honor to contribute my expertise and dedication to the Future Earth Governing Council, advancing our shared mission for a sustainable and just world.

Frances has been a member of Future Earth’s Health Knowledge Action Network steering committee since 2020, drawing on research experience in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research processes, agricultural systems, natural resource management, rural livelihoods and environmental education in the UK, Africa and Asia. She has helped shape the agenda of the steering committee, advocated for the Health KAN in the UK, supported others to contribute to the agenda set by the steering committee, and supported initiatives to get further research funding on planetary health, including cross-GRN initiatives. She has co-authored several papers with the group, including work on identifying an agenda for future research (Ebi et al, 2020) and the importance of transdisciplinary research processes in sustainability science (Harris et al, 2024) which was published in a special issue of Global Sustainability convened by Future Earth. Further, she engaged in webinars about each of these papers to promote the findings to a global audience.

Her research includes projects in Africa, focussing on sustainability of smallholder farming systems; projects funded by the UK’s DEFRA, ESRC and Global Challenges Research Fund examining the development and functioning transdisciplinary research teams; the use of wild foods, people’s connection to nature, and environmental education to engender sustainable environmental behaviours. Publications are on Google Scholar, (H index= 21).

She has been a trustee to 2 charity organisations and member of committees so brings experience in governance and organisational management. She is a strong advocate for cross-disciplinary and cross-GRN collaboration and transdisciplinary research to address sustainable development issues.

I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Governing Council of Future Earth on behalf of the global research networks. As Executive Director of the Global Land Programme (GLP), a global research network of Future Earth, I have had the opportunity to engage deeply with Future Earth’s mission to advance sustainability science and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Over the past eight years, I have led GLP’s International Programme Office and worked closely with colleagues across the Future Earth network to strengthen our collective impact. I am eager to contribute my scientific expertise, leadership experience, and commitment to advancing Future Earth’s vision and goals.

Importantly, I also bring my perspective as a land system scientist. My research focuses on the complex dynamics of land-use change, sustainability transitions, and the science-policy-society interface, grounded in the broader fields of global change and socio-ecological systems science—the foundations of sustainability science. This scientific grounding shapes my approach to understanding and addressing sustainability challenges, allowing me to contribute not only as a network coordinator but also as an engaged scholar committed to advancing the frontiers of sustainability science.

My work with GLP and Future Earth has been driven by a commitment to bridging science, policy, and society to address the interconnected challenges of land system sustainability. Collaborating with diverse stakeholders—researchers, policymakers, and civil society leaders—I have worked to harness the power of the GLP community to co-create actionable knowledge that supports equitable and sustainable land-use transitions. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the complexity of global sustainability challenges and reinforced the critical role of international scientific collaboration and systems thinking in addressing them effectively.
Future Earth’s mission resonates deeply with my values and professional experience. I am eager to contribute to the Governing Council’s efforts to help Future Earth meet its strategic objectives – whether by advancing rigorous transdisciplinary research, fostering production and synthesis of integrated knowledge, or enhancing the science-policy-practice interface to support evidence-informed decision-making. Additionally as a representative of the global research networks to the Governing Council, I am committed to strengthening engagement strategies that build essential capacities within the GRN community while fostering deeper connections and stronger collaborations across the broader Future Earth research ecosystem.

I am passionate about the vital role Future Earth plays in coordinating and leading international research on global change and sustainability, and I am dedicated to strengthening our collective capacity as a key international research network-of-networks and positioning Future Earth as a thought leader in advancing transformative solutions.

I look forward to the opportunity to support the Governing Council as we navigate this important next step in Future Earth’s growth as the referent body for international sustainability science and the global change research community.
Thank you for considering my application.

In my career, I have dedicated myself to advancing scientific understanding and fostering international collaboration in the fields of environmental and climate change research. My extensive involvement in global science programs, coupled with my deep commitment to sustainability and transformative solutions, has provide the expertise and vision necessary to, in my view, contribute meaningfully to the governance of Future Earth.

Over the years, I have actively engaged with numerous international science initiatives, serving in leadership roles that have required strategic thinking, cross- and inter-disciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to addressing complex global challenges. My tenure as Science Director at the IGBP Regional Office further deepened my involvement in global science programs, including the Global Carbon Project (GCP), the Global Water System Project (GWSP), and DIVERSITAS, among others. As the Brazilian Representative to the Inter-American Institute for Climate Change Research (IAI) Conference of Parties and Executive Council, and as Regional Director of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI), I have worked closely with diverse stakeholders across the Americas, fostering partnerships and seeking initiatives that align closely with the goals of Future Earth. These roles have not only contributed to my ability to navigate the complexities of international science policy programmes but have also allowed me the privilege be part of the initial discussions and early development of Future Earth itself.

In my current roles, including Coordinator of the AdaptaBrasil MCTI Platform, Vice-Chair of the Brazilian Research Network on Global Climate Change, and Member of the Coordinating Committee of the FAPESP Research Program on Global Climate Change, I continue to bridge the gap between science, policy, and society. I was recently appointed to the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Board of Directors as International Secretary. My work emphasizes the importance of inclusive, equitable, and actionable science, principles that are at the heart of Future Earth’s mission. Additionally, my representation of FAPESP at the Belmont Forum underscore my commitment to contribute to foster an international environment to support science development and collaboration on advancing transformative research.

I am deeply motivated to contribute to the governing council of Future Earth. I understand that I bring a deep experience in leading and coordinating international science programs, an ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, and a strong view and commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental sustainability, social equity and just development. My work has consistently emphasized the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with societal needs, ensuring that research outcomes are not only robust but also actionable and inclusive.

I am particularly interest to Future Earth’s emphasis on co-designing solutions with stakeholders and its commitment to fostering a global network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. I believe that my expertise in navigating the complexities of international science programs, coupled with my passion for driving transformative change, positions me to make a meaningful contribution to the governing council. I am eager to bring my perspective, experience, and dedication to Future Earth, helping to guide its strategic direction and amplify its impact at the global arena.

Dr Prudence Makhura is currently the Executive Director for international grants and partnerships at the National Research Foundation (NRF). In this capacity she is responsible for unlocking international research and innovation funding opportunities and leveraging additional funding for the South African National System of Innovation (NSI). She does this through the management of research grants with international partners (i.e. at bi-, tri-, multi-lateral levels), the private sector, development agencies and state-owned enterprises. Dr Makhura serves on several national and international committees and boards. She has previously held different portfolios within the South African Higher Education, Research and Innovation Sector. These includes working for the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) managing the higher education partnerships within the African continent (e.g. AU, SADC, COMEDAF, ADEA, AAU etc.), and Universities South Africa (USAf) being responsible for strengthening the Higher Education Sector’s Research, Innovation and Technology capabilities; and international and continental collaborations. Prior to joining USAf, Dr Makhura was a Manager for the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and a Junior Researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Centre for Sociological Research (CSR) based at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD in Management in Technology and Innovation from the DaVinci Business School.

I am excited to nominate myself for the above-mentioned position, as I am eager to bring new energy and fresh perspectives to the group. I am committed to fostering action-oriented initiatives that contribute to a better ocean for everyone who engages with it. As a member of the Global Ocean KAN Steering Committee, I have advised the executive committee on matters related to Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). This includes creating global opportunities such as storytelling initiatives, empowering ocean advocates, and connecting people with the ocean across the globe.

Additionally, In my role as Secretary-General for the Western Indian Ocean region ECOPs Network, I have focused on serving the youth by building a vibrant and inclusive community of ocean advocates. My initiatives include capacity-building through training and exchange programs, supporting ocean startups, and connecting youth with academic opportunities (MSc, PhD, and Post-Doc programs). I have also ensured that ECOPs in the region are not working in isolation by fostering regional and inter-regional collaboration. Notably, I have connected the Western Indian Ocean region with global trends in ocean science, including championing the implementation of the UN Ocean Decade and advancing the UN Agenda 2030 in Africa, with the vision of making the ocean accessible to all. Through my involvement with WIOMSA, I have facilitated connections beyond the region, establishing bilateral relationships and programs across America and Europe. These efforts have focused on linking people, policy, and conservation. My extensive experience at national, regional, and global levels has equipped me to contribute meaningfully to advancing Future Earth’s dialogues and commitments.

If given this opportunity, I will leverage my expertise to diversify the group and highlight how the Western Indian Ocean can contribute to advancing Future Earth’s objectives. I will advocate for strategies to tap into current trends, foster community advancement, and strengthen our global networks. I am committed to advising the community with integrity, ensuring that Future Earth’s interests remain at the forefront of global dialogues, and promoting sustainable practices for a strong ocean and a stable future for all.

I am deeply committed to advancing Future Earth’s vision of a sustainable and equitable world, guided by accessible, shared knowledge. As an Early Career Researcher (ECR) from a Low and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), I am particularly dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering future leaders. I lead the “Empowering Future Leadership” initiative, which fosters leadership development and collaboration among ECRs and coastal stakeholders, aiming to create a coastal sustainability value chain that empowers the next generation to drive global change. Additionally, I support women scientists and emerging leaders through initiatives like the “Future Earth Coasts Dialogue” interview series and the ECR Small Grant Program, which empowers ECR-led projects and fosters leadership development.

I am committed to advancing global sustainability through initiatives such as “Tour de Coasts,” which facilitates knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and communities. As co-PI of the “Meta-Network” project, I unite global and regional coastal and ocean programs under the Future Earth umbrella, addressing gaps in coastal zone management and strengthening existing initiatives. This effort fosters collaboration and creates a platform for evidence-based decision-making. By prioritizing healthy ecosystems, responsible resource management, and climate adaptation, I work to preserve coastal ecosystems and livelihoods for future generations.

Looking ahead, I envision a clear agenda for Future Earth beyond 2025, centered on inclusive decision-making and strategic planning. This involves integrating Global Research Networks (GRNs) into key processes to foster impactful collaboration and prioritizing a robust fundraising strategy to secure large-scale funding. Emphasizing decentralized support and cross-cutting initiatives, I aim to streamline GRN activities and optimize resources, empowering Future Earth to address global sustainability challenges effectively and ensure a more equitable, inclusive future. It would be an honor to contribute my expertise and dedication to the Future Earth Governing Council, advancing our shared mission for a sustainable and just world.

It is with great enthusiasm that I write this letter in support of Dr. Eliani Ezani for the role of Early Career Representative on the Future Earth Governing Council. Eliani is a distinguished scholar and advocate in the field of environmental health, air pollution, and climate change, with an impressive commitment to bridging scientific research, policy, and community action. Her expertise and dedication make them an outstanding candidate for this position.

As Vice President of the Environmental and Occupational Health Society Malaysia, a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia, and a Scientific Committee member of iLEAPS and IGAC Allin-Wayra, Eliani has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Her commitment to ensuring knowledge is accessible, transferable, and actionable aligns seamlessly with Future Earth’s mission of fostering sustainability through evidence-based decision-making.
Beyond her research, Eliani has been a tireless advocate for early-career scientists, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

I have no doubt that Eliani will bring invaluable expertise, a strong commitment to inclusivity, and a visionary approach to the Future Earth Governing Council. Her leadership, research acumen, and dedication to fostering meaningful change at both local and global levels will contribute significantly to Future Earth’s mission.

I wholeheartedly endorse Eliani for this role and strongly encourage the selection committee to consider her candidacy. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information in support of this application.

I am excited to nominate myself for the above-mentioned position, as I am eager to bring new energy and fresh perspectives to the group. I am committed to fostering action-oriented initiatives that contribute to a better ocean for everyone who engages with it. As a member of the Global Ocean KAN Steering Committee, I have advised the executive committee on matters related to Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). This includes creating global opportunities such as storytelling initiatives, empowering ocean advocates, and connecting people with the ocean across the globe.

Additionally, In my role as Secretary-General for the Western Indian Ocean region ECOPs Network, I have focused on serving the youth by building a vibrant and inclusive community of ocean advocates. My initiatives include capacity-building through training and exchange programs, supporting ocean startups, and connecting youth with academic opportunities (MSc, PhD, and Post-Doc programs). I have also ensured that ECOPs in the region are not working in isolation by fostering regional and inter-regional collaboration. Notably, I have connected the Western Indian Ocean region with global trends in ocean science, including championing the implementation of the UN Ocean Decade and advancing the UN Agenda 2030 in Africa, with the vision of making the ocean accessible to all. Through my involvement with WIOMSA, I have facilitated connections beyond the region, establishing bilateral relationships and programs across America and Europe. These efforts have focused on linking people, policy, and conservation. My extensive experience at national, regional, and global levels has equipped me to contribute meaningfully to advancing Future Earth’s dialogues and commitments.

If given this opportunity, I will leverage my expertise to diversify the group and highlight how the Western Indian Ocean can contribute to advancing Future Earth’s objectives. I will advocate for strategies to tap into current trends, foster community advancement, and strengthen our global networks. I am committed to advising the community with integrity, ensuring that Future Earth’s interests remain at the forefront of global dialogues, and promoting sustainable practices for a strong ocean and a stable future for all.

Sharachchandra (Sharad) Lele is an interdisciplinary environmental researcher from and working in India who works on understanding of both the conceptual issues in sustainability, sustainable and equitable development and democratic environmental governance, and the empirical challenges and strategies in actualising these concepts in multiple sectors: straddles forestry and land use science, water management, pollution, and climate change.

To promote interdisciplinary and socially engaged research on these topics, Sharad founded an independent centre in 2001, and then nurtured it further as part of ATREE from 2009 onwards. ATREE (www.atree.org) is now among the top 20 global environmental think-tanks. Sharad teaches conservation ethics, interdisciplinary research frameworks, and environmental governance in ATREE’s MSc and PhD programmes. He is currently on the Scientific Steering Committee of the Global Land Programme. He has also worked with WaterFuture and IPBES, and is a past Board member of the International Society for Ecological Economics, and a Founder-Member and past President of the Indian Society for Ecological Economics. In 2022, he co-chaired the Expert Writing Group convened by FutureEarth, International Science Council and Stockholm Environment Institute in 2022 to write the “Letter from Science to Humanity” on the occasion of Stockholm+50, a letter endorsed by 1000+ academics/activists globally. He has served/is serving on the editorial boards of a number of well-known international journals. In addition, he is heavily engaged in providing policy inputs at various levels of government in India in the forest, water and pollution sectors (see his profile), while also conducting action-research in collaboration with a number of indigenous communities and civil society groups at the local, state and national levels.

Sharad brings to FutureEarth this intense engagement with sustainability and sustainable development across sectors, across disciplines, and across the science-policy divide. Along with this, he brings a perspective rooted in the Global South, a normative commitment to environmental justice, and experience in institution building. His vision for FutureEarth is that of a democratic, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary network that is sensitive to North-South asymmetries and promotes a decolonized global science for enabling bottom-up transitions towards meaningful development, sustainability, justice and peace. He would push for FE to truly embrace such a vision, and for greater clarity on the ‘theory of change’, i.e., how FE hopes to produce knowledge and influence society towards such a transition, and how the different parts of FE align with this theory. Cutting across these questions is the critical need to reduce North-South asymmetries and to make the concerns and perspectives of the Global South visible and integral to the framing of agendas. Nudging FE to shift from being largely a community of “global scholars” (scientists who work largely at a continental or global scale) to a “global community of rooted scholars” (scholars working in a grounded manner with communities, state and national governments) will be a crucial part of Sharad’s agenda.

In my career, I have dedicated myself to advancing scientific understanding and fostering international collaboration in the fields of environmental and climate change research. My extensive involvement in global science programs, coupled with my deep commitment to sustainability and transformative solutions, has provide the expertise and vision necessary to, in my view, contribute meaningfully to the governance of Future Earth.

Over the years, I have actively engaged with numerous international science initiatives, serving in leadership roles that have required strategic thinking, cross- and inter-disciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to addressing complex global challenges. My tenure as Science Director at the IGBP Regional Office further deepened my involvement in global science programs, including the Global Carbon Project (GCP), the Global Water System Project (GWSP), and DIVERSITAS, among others. As the Brazilian Representative to the Inter-American Institute for Climate Change Research (IAI) Conference of Parties and Executive Council, and as Regional Director of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI), I have worked closely with diverse stakeholders across the Americas, fostering partnerships and seeking initiatives that align closely with the goals of Future Earth. These roles have not only contributed to my ability to navigate the complexities of international science policy programmes but have also allowed me the privilege be part of the initial discussions and early development of Future Earth itself.

In my current roles, including Coordinator of the AdaptaBrasil MCTI Platform, Vice-Chair of the Brazilian Research Network on Global Climate Change, and Member of the Coordinating Committee of the FAPESP Research Program on Global Climate Change, I continue to bridge the gap between science, policy, and society. I was recently appointed to the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Board of Directors as International Secretary. My work emphasizes the importance of inclusive, equitable, and actionable science, principles that are at the heart of Future Earth’s mission. Additionally, my representation of FAPESP at the Belmont Forum underscore my commitment to contribute to foster an international environment to support science development and collaboration on advancing transformative research.

I am deeply motivated to contribute to the governing council of Future Earth. I understand that I bring a deep experience in leading and coordinating international science programs, an ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, and a strong view and commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental sustainability, social equity and just development. My work has consistently emphasized the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with societal needs, ensuring that research outcomes are not only robust but also actionable and inclusive.

I am particularly interest to Future Earth’s emphasis on co-designing solutions with stakeholders and its commitment to fostering a global network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. I believe that my expertise in navigating the complexities of international science programs, coupled with my passion for driving transformative change, positions me to make a meaningful contribution to the governing council. I am eager to bring my perspective, experience, and dedication to Future Earth, helping to guide its strategic direction and amplify its impact at the global arena.