Silja Zimmermann

Dr. Silja Zimmermann is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, affiliated with the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and the Environmental Sciences department. Her work bridges social-ecological systems and global sustainability challenges.

Research Interests

Her research focuses on Nature-based Solutions, rewilding, and Indigenous food systems, particularly in Alaska's Pribilof Islands. She employs participatory methods and complex systems analysis to identify leverage points for sustainability transformation. Her projects emphasize inclusivity, integrating local communities' knowledge and values.

Publication Trends

Recent work includes network analysis of Alaska's food systems, scenario planning for Indigenous food security, and theoretical frameworks for transformative sustainability research. Themes span social-ecological feedbacks, value-driven pathways, and biodiversity-food security interlinkages.

Grants & Collaborations

• Biodiversa+ program grant for 'Wilding Grasslands'
• International team collaboration with NGOs, local communities, and governments

Labs & Teams

Co-founder of the Transformation Lab on St. Paul Island; works with multidisciplinary teams addressing Arctic Indigenous food systems and grassland rewilding in South Africa's Drakensberg.