Madelene Ostwald

Madelene Ostwald is a Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, affiliated with the Environmental Systems Analysis department and the Physical Resource Theory division. Her extensive research portfolio spans land use systems, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development across multiple continents, with particular focus on Africa and South Asia. She leads significant research initiatives that bridge scientific investigation with policy development.

Her research interests center on multifunctional land-use systems, particularly examining how agroforestry and traditional land management practices contribute to food security, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. Ostwald investigates the intersection of environmental policy and practical land management, with special attention to gender dynamics in agricultural systems and the implementation of REDD+ initiatives. Her work demonstrates how remote sensing technologies can enhance understanding of complex land-use patterns in smallholder farming contexts.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on practical solutions for sustainable development challenges, particularly in dryland agricultural systems. She examines how traditional land management practices like parklands and homegardens provide ecosystem services while supporting local livelihoods. Her research increasingly integrates gender perspectives and policy analysis to address food security challenges in changing climate conditions.

Ostwald leads multiple major research projects including 'Energy geography in East Africa' (2020-2024), 'Parkland NPP now and in the future' (2019-2023), and 'AgriFoSe2030 - Agriculture for Food Security Post 2030' (2016-2023), demonstrating sustained funding success from organizations including SIDA, Swedish Research Council, and VINNOVA. These projects reflect her interdisciplinary approach that connects environmental science with social dimensions of sustainable development.

Her research spans multiple field sites across Africa (particularly Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya) and South Asia (particularly Sri Lanka and India), creating a comparative perspective on land management challenges in different ecological and socio-economic contexts. This international scope allows for cross-learning between regions facing similar sustainability challenges.