Nourhan Heysham

Nourhan Heysham is a Postdoc Research Associate at the University of Manchester’s Planning, Property and Environmental Management department, contributing to the NERC Digital Solutions Programme since 2022. Her work focuses on integrating natural environment data with socio-economic and health data through user-centric approaches. Previously, she led the EUF-funded IGNITION NbS Living Lab at the University of Salford and managed the AHRC-funded CRAFT project in Damietta, Egypt, addressing SME resilience.

Her research expertise spans social capital networks, climate resilience strategies, nature-based solutions, and geospatial analysis. She holds a PhD from the University of Salford (2022) and an MSc from Cairo University (2015), both focused on urban environments and cultural landscapes.

• Educations:
  • PhD: University of Salford, Investigating Geospatial Social Capital Networks for Industry-Based Grassroot Economies (2017–2022)
  • MSc: Cairo University, Analytical Study of Historic and Cultural Landscapes in Egypt (2015)
• Awards:
  • CIB Best Doctoral Dissertation Award (2024)
  • Dean’s Prize Award 2021 for Research Impact (University of Salford)

Her work aligns with UN SDGs, particularly addressing climate action (SDG 13), sustainable cities (SDG 11), and partnerships for goals (SDG 17). She actively participates in global networks like the European Network Association and CIB International Network, and organizes major events such as the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences 2024.

Recent projects include developing DSH User Research Reports for environmental data accessibility and analyzing biodiversity impacts on urban planning through the IGNITION project. She also explores social capital’s role in SME resilience, particularly in Damietta’s furniture industry.