Professor Shankar Aswani’s research focuses on the intersection of coastal management, sustainability, and human responses to environmental change. His work examines how societies across Oceania and Africa adapt to changing marine and terrestrial environments. Bridging the natural and social sciences, Prof. Aswani applies innovative methods such as GIS and community conservation planning, while integrating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) for sustainable resource management.
Prof. Aswani is the Principal Investigator in several international projects that broadly focus on how coastal communities in Africa and Oceania adapt to environmental changes. His research explores human-marine ecosystem interactions, analysing the impact of climate change on livelihoods, food security, and the resilience of marine ecosystems.
His work addresses the vulnerabilities of coastal communities and seeks to develop sustainable conservation approaches and resource management strategies. To achieve this, Prof. Aswani integrates socio-ecological methodologies and local knowledge systems, developing regional models that inform responses to environmental hazards like sea-level rise and harmful algal blooms.
Some of his current international projects include:
- Coastal Community Responses to Environmental Changes, funded by the Sandisa Imbewu Grant, which primarily focuses on South African coastal communities.
- SOLCISTE Project, where he serves as co-Principal Investigator. This project focuses on how coastal communities in South Africa and Tanzania can sustainably manage their marine resources amidst ecological crises.
- Volcanic Eruptions and Social Reactions, a project comparing social responses to volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and the Canary Islands, aiming to inform disaster risk strategies for government agencies.
- Negotiating Ocean Conflicts (NOCRISIS), where he examines conflicts over marine resource use in the Canary and Seychelles Islands. This project aims to balance economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity, ensuring sustainable use of marine environments amidst blue growth initiatives.
Prof. Aswani’s work draws on anthropological thought and contributes to global discussions on climate change, poverty, and environmental management. By integrating scientific knowledge and local insights, his research has influenced local conservation and development projects across Oceania and Africa.