Joseph Muiruri Karanja
مدرس · Biodiversity Conservation
University of Central Lancashire, Cyprusمعرفی
Joseph Muiruri Karanja serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Studies, Geography and Agriculture at Maasai Mara University, Kenya, where he leads research on community-driven environmental resilience and conservation strategies within pastoral landscapes.
His academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. in Sustainable Environmental Studies from University of Tsukuba, Japan
- M.S. in Sustainability Science from United Nations University, Japan
- Bachelor's degree in Disaster Management and International Diplomacy from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Karanja's research investigates the complex interplay between biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and social stability in East African rangelands. His work critically examines how wildlife conservancies influence human-wildlife coexistence, land tenure security, and peacebuilding processes, with particular focus on Kenya's pastoral communities where 65% of national wildlife resides. He employs interdisciplinary approaches bridging ecological science, political economy, and community engagement to address Sustainable Development Goals 10, 15, and 16.
Analysis of his 11 publications (2017-2019) reveals consistent thematic focus on nature-based solutions for conservation challenges. Key trends include ecosystem service valuation (particularly mangroves for flood control), Ramsar Convention implementation barriers, transboundary wildlife management, and gender dimensions of land rights. His scholarship demonstrates strong policy relevance, directly informing Kenya's Community Land Act (2016) and Wildlife Conservation Management Act (2013).
Dr. Karanja successfully completed the IPRA Foundation's Senesh Fellowship project examining conservancy impacts on peacebuilding in pastoral counties. His findings highlight regional disparities in conservancy outcomes—southern rangelands show improved human-wildlife coexistence while northern areas face land rights violations and revenue disputes—providing critical evidence for equitable conservation governance.
