Fidelis Udo

Fidelis Udo is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Multicultural Societies. He holds a PhD and Master’s in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in International Relations from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St Joseph's Theological Institute. He previously served as a tutor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2016–2022) and as an external academic at MANCOSA’s Public Administration Department (2021–2023).

His research focuses on identity politics, gender, climate change adaptation, intersectionality, and urban diversity, particularly in the context of Black women’s vulnerability to environmental disasters in Durban, South Africa. He employs feminist political ecology and community-based methodologies to analyze climate resilience in urban and peri-urban settings. His recent work explores the decolonization of urban space through public art and cultural memory.

His publications span high-impact journals in sustainable development, environmental policy, and disaster risk reduction. The articles reflect a consistent focus on gendered experiences of climate impacts, local governance, and spatial justice in Southern African cities. His methodological approach combines qualitative fieldwork with spatial and policy analysis.

Fidelis has contributed as a peer reviewer for reputable journals such as the Journal of Sustainable Development. While no formal grants or awards are listed, his involvement in the Andrew W. Mellon-funded Spatial Humanities project indicates participation in significant interdisciplinary research initiatives.

He has mentored students informally through tutoring roles but no formal advisees are listed. He was part of a research team exploring climate displacement and diversification with Jamila Hamidu, suggesting collaborative engagement in ongoing thematic projects.