Ambe J. Njoh

Ambe J. Njoh is a Professor of Environmental Science & Policy at the University of South Florida (USF), School of Geosciences, within the College of Arts and Sciences. He has been at USF since 1994 and served as Pioneer Director of the Urban & Regional Planning Program from 2009 to 2014, following prior experience as Transit Planning Manager at the Florida Department of Transportation.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Planning Studies, University of London (1990)
• Masters of City & Regional Planning, University of Oklahoma (1984)
• Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, National Advanced School of Public Works, Cameroon (1980)

Njoh specializes in African urban studies, with research spanning colonial urbanism, renewable energy policy, public health infrastructure, and land tenure systems. His work critically examines how historical power structures influence contemporary service delivery in African cities, particularly through case studies in Cameroon. He bridges environmental science with socio-political analysis to address sustainable development challenges.

Recent publications (2018-2020) reveal a concentrated focus on renewable energy implementation in rural Africa, colonial spatial legacies, and institutional barriers to equitable resource access. His methodology combines policy analysis with community-level fieldwork, emphasizing Cameroon as a critical case for understanding broader continental dynamics in energy transition and urban governance.

Key recognitions include:

• Best Paper Award, International Planning History Society (2010)
• Two Senior Investigators’ Grants from USF St. Petersburg ($4,000 in 2004; $6,500 in 2007)
• USF Travel Grant ($2,500 in 2014)

Njoh directs major research initiatives while teaching core courses including Introduction to Environmental Science and Multivariate Statistics. His grant portfolio demonstrates sustained funding for field-based research in Africa, supporting collaborative projects with Cameroonian institutions and UN agencies. Current work integrates energy policy with climate resilience planning.

His research operates through international partnerships with African scholars and institutions, focusing on community-driven projects in renewable energy deployment and water governance. Field operations in Cameroon serve as living laboratories for testing policy frameworks in real-world contexts.