Melissa Hansen

Dr. Melissa Hansen serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa, and is actively affiliated with the Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) focusing on montane ecosystem studies.

Her research expertise spans:

• Political ecology and environmental governance frameworks
• Transfrontier conservation dynamics
• Social justice implications in protected areas
• Sustainability science applications in Southern Africa

Current work centers on conservation space production and equity issues within the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area (MDTFCA). She holds a PhD in Sustainability Science from Lund University and contributes as a peer reviewer for leading journals including Journal of Environment & Development, South African Geographical Journal, and Ecology and Society.