Dr Katie Conlon is the Director, and Founder of the Ecoseva Institute, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing environmental service and sustainability through community-focused initiatives. She has nearly 20 years of experience in research, leadership, and program management. A National Geographic explorer, she led pivotal research on plastic reduction in the Himalayas, building awareness and driving environmental change across India, and Nepal. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Urban Studies and Sustainability and a Masters in International Peace Studies, complemented by her role as a Research Affiliate at Portland State University, Portland, United States; a Royal Geographical Society fellow, and a Fulbright Specialist.
Katie specialises in building collaborative partnerships, translating complex scientific ideas into accessible narratives, and fostering environmental awareness and engagement among diverse audiences. She is particularly interested in initiatives that address pollution, ecological restoration, and socio-economic justice for vulnerable populations, with a vision to restore socio-ecological balance in the face of global environmental change.