Kofi Akamani

Kofi Akamani is a Professor of Forest Recreation and Conservation Social Science in the Department of Forestry at Southern Illinois University. His work focuses on enhancing resilience in rural resource-dependent communities and adaptive governance of forests, water, and agricultural landscapes under climate change impacts. He integrates social-ecological systems research, rural sociology, and common pool resources theories.

• PhD, Natural Resources, University of Idaho (2011)
• MPhil, Culture, Environment and Sustainability, University of Oslo (2006)
• BSc, Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (2003)

His research spans interdisciplinary approaches to human-environment interactions, emphasizing:

• Resilience and vulnerability in communities
• Adaptive governance frameworks
• Nature-based tourism planning
• Mixed methods research

Recent publications analyze agroforestry systems, water governance, and climate adaptation strategies across diverse regions, highlighting cross-scale policy integration. Key journals include Sustainability, Heliyon, and Global Ecology and Conservation.

• 2016 Early Career Faculty Award, College of Agricultural Sciences, SIUC