
Dr. Richard Kiaka
Regional Research Coordinator, Hub East Africa
Dr. Richard Kiaka coordinates research activities at the Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub East Africa. He is an Environmental Anthropologist with over five years of post-doctoral research experience, focusing on land-tenure transformations in the pastoral rangelands of southern Kenya, human-wildlife coexistence in Kenya and Namibia, and community-based conservation. Dr. Kiaka’s work explores the complex dynamics of community-nature interactions, socioecological resilience, and climate adaptation. He employs innovative participatory research methodologies, including Photovoice, photo elicitation, anticipatory scenario setting, and participatory videography, to foster inclusive and transformative approaches to research. Dr. Kiaka holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Hamburg, Germany, an MSc in International Development Studies from Wageningen University, Netherlands, and a BSc in Environmental Studies and Community Development from Kenyatta University, Kenya.