Dr. Hannah Charles | Human Geography | Best Researcher Award |

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Dr. Hannah Charles | Human Geography | Best Researcher Award

PhD researcher, at University of Manchester, United Kingdom.

Dr. Hannah Charles is an accomplished researcher in the field of energy justice and low-carbon housing transformation, with a sharp focus on the intersection of social housing, environmental governance, and climate policy. Her work is rooted in qualitative methodologies and dedicated to improving the lived experiences of vulnerable populations in the context of retrofitting and energy transitions. With a PhD in Human Geography from the University of Manchester, she has cultivated a multidisciplinary profile that spans academic research, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and public communication.

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🎓 Education

Dr. Charles completed her PhD in Human Geography at the University of Manchester (2021–2025), supported by a prestigious ESRC CASE Studentship focused on “Social housing challenges in the low-carbon transformation towards Net Zero.” Her doctoral work passed with success in March 2025. She also holds an MSc in Environmental Governance (2018–2019), where she received a merit and a distinction for her dissertation on Extinction Rebellion’s impact on climate politics. Her undergraduate studies were in Environmental Management (2015–2018), in which she earned a 2:1 with a first-class dissertation on diet and environmental action.

💼 Experience

Dr. Charles has worked in a range of academic and research roles. As a PhD researcher at the University of Manchester, she conducted ethnographic and interview-based research, supervised by a housing association partner. She also served as a Research Assistant on the LENS project, contributing to international research on energy transitions in Southeastern Europe. In a previous role at Oxford Policy Management (2020–2021), she coordinated the global CEDIL programme, managing research contracts, budgets, communications, and reporting to the FCDO. Earlier, she worked with Praxis Sustainability and on the Horizon 2020-funded Triangulum project, where she gained experience in sustainability consulting, EU environmental policy, and city resilience research.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Charles’s research is deeply engaged with energy poverty, retrofit policy, and environmental justice. She specializes in exploring how social and political dynamics affect housing decarbonisation, and her research investigates issues such as resident participation, governance constraints, policy injustice, and the lived impacts of retrofitting in social housing. Her broader interests include neoliberalism’s impact on environmental policy, distributive justice, and the socio-technical dimensions of energy transitions. She employs qualitative methods—interviews, ethnography, and stakeholder analysis—to produce findings that are both rigorous and policy-relevant.

🏆 Awards

🎓 ESRC CASE Studentship – awarded for PhD research on Net Zero and social housing.

🗣️ Selected Presenter – for leading national and international conferences, including Fuel Poverty Research Network, European Network of Housing Researchers, Nordic STS Conference, and Royal Geographical Society PGR Conference.

🌍 Policy Impact Contributor – co-authored a blog for Policy@Manchester, submitted policy evidence to DESNZ, and collaborated with WWF on UK climate policy review.

📖 Peer Reviewer – reviewed journal manuscripts and book proposals, recognized for her academic service.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Title: ‘Although it’s my home, it’s not my house’ – Exploring impacts of retrofits with social housing residents
Authors: Hannah Charles, Stefan Bouzarovski, Rob Bellamy, Alexandra Gormally-Sutton
Indexing: Scopus, Web of Science (Energy Research & Social Science is indexed in both)
Year of Publication: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Hannah Charles exemplifies the qualities of an emerging academic leader—intellectually grounded, socially conscious, and policy engaged. Her unique combination of qualitative rigor, community-centered research, and stakeholder collaboration positions her as a transformative figure in energy and climate justice. Her contributions reflect not only academic excellence but also a genuine commitment to improving housing equity and environmental governance. She is a powerful voice in the transition toward fair and inclusive climate action.

Mr Tommaso Giordano | Risk assessment | Best Researcher Award |

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Mr. Tommaso Giordano | Risk assessment | Best Researcher Award | 

PhD, at Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Italy

Mr. Tommaso Giordano is a dedicated research fellow at the Institute for Bioeconomy of the National Research Council (CNR-IBE) in Florence, Italy. With a multidisciplinary background spanning environmental engineering and development economics, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering through the prestigious International Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering program at the University of Florence. His work is rooted in the intersection of urban environmental sustainability, data-driven risk assessment, and geospatial analysis. Mr. Giordano’s research is characterized by a strong commitment to applying statistical and technological tools to address real-world urban challenges.

Professional Profile

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Education 🎓

Mr. Giordano holds a dual MSc degree in Development Economics from the University of Florence, Italy, and the University of Göttingen, Germany, as part of an esteemed joint program. His academic journey began with a High School Diploma from Liceo Scientifico “Piero Gobetti” and has progressed into doctoral-level research in environmental engineering. His master’s thesis focused on “Environmental regulation and innovation: empirical evidence for plastic,” highlighting his early interest in the interaction between environmental policy and technological development. His ongoing Ph.D. builds upon this interdisciplinary foundation, focusing on environmental modeling and urban sustainability.

Experience 👩‍

Mr. Giordano has served in various research fellow roles at CNR-IBE since March 2021, contributing to urban environmental projects funded by both national and local institutions. His responsibilities have included data collection, advanced statistical processing, geospatial analysis, and socio-economic evaluations for climate and sustainability initiatives. Prior to his research career, he completed a sales assistant internship at IRPLAST SpA, gaining experience in client services and data management systems. His professional background reflects a seamless integration of technical, analytical, and applied economic skills.

Research Interests 🔬

Mr. Giordano’s research primarily explores the application of statistical and geospatial methods to analyze urban environments, assess population risks related to natural and anthropogenic hazards, and evaluate ecosystem services. His work integrates data from IoT sensor networks, satellite imagery, and socio-economic indicators to provide holistic assessments of environmental quality, heat stress, and air pollution in urban settings. He has contributed to key research projects such as “Prato Urban Jungle,” “SMARTCITIES AIRQINO,” and “ADESFUR,” which aim to enhance urban resilience and sustainable planning through advanced data analytics.

Awards 🏆

Although still early in his career, Mr. Giordano has demonstrated noteworthy academic and research excellence. His consistent fellowship appointments at CNR-IBE reflect trust in his capabilities and the value of his contributions. His published research in internationally recognized journals, and his selection for doctoral studies at a competitive international program, further affirm his academic merit and potential as a leading researcher in the field.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Mr. Giordano has co-authored peer-reviewed scientific articles addressing key environmental issues. Notable publications include:

“Assessment of risk components for urban population to heat intensity and air pollution through a dense IoT sensor network” (Urban Climate, 2025), which explores how low-cost sensors can inform climate and health risk assessments in cities.

“Potential of low-cost PM monitoring sensors to fill monitoring gaps in areas of Sub-Saharan Africa” (Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2024), which underscores the global applicability of affordable environmental technologies.

Conclusion

Tommaso Giordano is highly suitable for a Best Researcher Award, particularly if aimed at early-career or emerging researchers in environmental engineering, urban climate, or sustainability science. He brings together technical rigor, societal impact, and cross-disciplinary training in a way that aligns well with current global research priorities.

If the award also values career trajectory, international collaboration, and data-driven innovation, he would be a strong contender. With further leadership, communication, and outreach, he could become a standout figure in urban environmental research in the next few years.

Dr Muhammad Khan | Land resource Management | Best Researcher Award |

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Dr. Muhammad Khan | Land resource Management | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor, at King Saud Univeristy Saudi Arabia,Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Muhammad Khan is a dedicated researcher and expert in urban planning, land resource management, and GIS-based urban sustainability. With over 15 years of experience, he has worked on major projects related to land management, public-private partnerships (PPP), urban resilience, and agricultural economies. His research integrates technology-driven solutions for urban development, slum upgradation, and resource efficiency. Dr. Khan has contributed significantly to both national and international research initiatives, publishing impactful studies in SSCI-indexed journals.

Professional Profile

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Education 🎓

Dr. Khan has a Ph.D. in Land Resource Management/Urban Planning from Nanjing Agricultural University, China (2024). He also holds an M.Phil. in Human Resource Management from Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan (2016), an MBA in Marketing from ARID Agriculture University Rawalpindi (2002), and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture from the same institution (2000). His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both urban resource planning and business management, enabling him to approach urban development challenges from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Experience 💼

Dr. Khan has held several key positions in urban planning, land management, and research organizations. His experience includes:

Railway and Metro Train Department, China (2023–Present): Focus on GIS-based railway land management.

Urban Land Management, China (2022–2023): Worked on urban land planning and resource optimization.

Punjab Rural Support Programme, Pakistan (2017–2020): Led PPP initiatives for rural development, land planning, and disaster resilience projects.

WWF-P (2012–2017): Developed sustainable land management strategies, particularly for cotton agriculture and urban expansion.

Planning Commission of Pakistan & Cabinet Secretariat (2006–2011): Worked on urban planning, slum rehabilitation, GIS-based crime reduction projects, and policy development.

MAF-JCB UAE, Dubai: International experience in finance and infrastructure development

Research Interest 🔬

Dr. Khan’s research revolves around land use planning, urban sustainability, GIS applications, and urban resilience. His work explores how urbanization influences land management and peri-urban agricultural systems, focusing on data-driven urban management, crime reduction through surveillance technologies, and environmental sustainability. His studies also emphasize PPP models, infrastructure development, and sustainable land utilization to create resilient and smart urban spaces.

Award 🏅

Dr. Khan has received recognition for his contributions to research, public-private partnerships, and urban planning initiatives. His expertise in GIS-based urban development and peri-urban land management has led to collaborations with FAO, WWF-P, Planning Commission of Pakistan, and international urban development organizations. His work in slum upgradation, security infrastructure, and smart city initiatives has been acknowledged at both national and international levels.

Top Noted Publication 📑

Dr. Khan has authored 13+ research papers in SSCI and other international journals, covering topics such as urban resilience, slum upgradation, GIS-based surveillance, and economic sustainability. Some of his notable publications include:

“The multifunctional role of land use planning in peri-urban and urban agricultural dry land” – Journal of Urban Planning and Development.

“Data-driven urban management and its impact on the upgradation of slums in Islamabad” – Journal of Urban Planning and Development.

“Factors affecting urban resilience and sustainability: Case of slum dwellers in Islamabad” – Journal of Urban Planning and Development.

“Impact of technology on upgrading slums and the moderating role of upstream influences” – Frontiers in Built Environment.

Conclusion

Dr. Muhammad Khan demonstrates a strong profile for the Best Researcher Award with a robust research portfolio, interdisciplinary expertise, and significant professional impact. His work in urban land management, GIS-based surveillance, and urban sustainability is commendable. Strengthening his global research presence, citations, and competitive grants can further solidify his position as a leading researcher in the field.