Professional summary
Research Interests
As a project manager, with experience working in private sector, conservation, and science projects, my primary interest and goal is to help researchers deliver high quality, high impact science projects for UKCEH. I have international work experience in landscape-level water and ecosystem work, with particular focus on Kenya and India, as well as working with remotely-based partners from around the world. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to interact directly with stakeholders ranging from the donors, to farmers and civil society, as well as management and implementation level stakeholders. Since joining UKCEH, I have gained extensive experience in organising and delivering high quality events, from scientific workshops and conferences, to knowledge exchange meetings with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. I have also gained good experience in project reporting both written and verbal, as required by UKRI NERC and other funders. I hold a PRINCE2 Practitioner certification, and with my conservation background, I am keen to explore the route to impact for projects and programmes in UKCEH.
Since joining UKCEH in 2018, I have taken over the role of project manager for the India-UK Water Centre, Drought and Water Scarcity Programme & ENDOWS Project, more recently, FluViSat - Hydrological flow measurements from satellite video, and Co-PM for Valuing Nature Programme. I have also contributed to a number of publications and reports for other projects outlined below under publications.
Brief CV
Project Management Positions:
2018 - Present: Senior Science Project Manager, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
2014 - 2016: Programme Coordinator, Naivasha Landscape, WWF Kenya
2007 - 2010: Executive Officer, Lake Naivasha Growers' Group
I have also conducted a number of short-term consultancies for private sector, civil society and NGOs on various topics.
Qualifications
Education
PhD Biology - University of Waterloo, Canada (2007)
Thesis: Long- and Short-term Dynamics of the Wetlands in the Amboseli Savanna Ecosystem, Kenya
MSc Environmental Biology - University of Guelph, Canada (2000)
Thesis: Relationship between Gibberllins, Height and Stress Tolerance in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science - University of Guelph, Canada (1998)
Professional
PRINCE2 Practitioner (2019)
Education
PhD Biology - University of Waterloo, Canada (2007)
Thesis: Long- and Short-term Dynamics of the Wetlands in the Amboseli Savanna Ecosystem, Kenya
MSc Environmental Biology - University of Guelph, Canada (2000)
Thesis: Relationship between Gibberllins, Height and Stress Tolerance in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science - University of Guelph, Canada (1998)
Professional
PRINCE2 Practitioner (2019)
Panels, committees and memberships
Society of Wetland Scientists
Reports and earlier publications
Barker, Lucy J.; Rickards, Nathan J.; Sarkar, Sunita; Hannaford, Jamie; King-Okumu, Caroline; Rees, Gwyn. 2021 Good practice guidance for national reporting on UNCCD Strategic Objective 3: to mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought in order to enhance resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Bonn, Germany, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 114pp.
Sarkar, Sunita; Dixon, Harry, eds. 2021 Emerging science for sustainable water resource management: a guide for water professionals and practitioners in India. Wallingford, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 94pp.
Sarkar S, Hails R, Weatherby A, Bealey B, Ozdemiroglu, E, Duke, G, Winter, M, Godfray C, Fish R, Porter, J, Trevis H, Woods V. 2021. Valuing Nature through multiple lenses: Highlights from the Valuing Nature PCT Programme (2014–2021). Valuing Nature Programme, UKCEH, Wallingford.
Stevens, Sally; Turner, Stephen; Sarkar, Sunita, eds. 2019 About drought handbook: outcomes and impacts. Wallingford, NERC/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 59pp.
Sarkar, S., Perras, M.R., Falk, D.E. et al. 2004. Relationship between gibberellins, height, and stress tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings. Plant Growth Regulation 42, 125–135.
Society of Wetland Scientists
Reports and earlier publications
Barker, Lucy J.; Rickards, Nathan J.; Sarkar, Sunita; Hannaford, Jamie; King-Okumu, Caroline; Rees, Gwyn. 2021 Good practice guidance for national reporting on UNCCD Strategic Objective 3: to mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought in order to enhance resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Bonn, Germany, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 114pp.
Sarkar, Sunita; Dixon, Harry, eds. 2021 Emerging science for sustainable water resource management: a guide for water professionals and practitioners in India. Wallingford, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 94pp.
Sarkar S, Hails R, Weatherby A, Bealey B, Ozdemiroglu, E, Duke, G, Winter, M, Godfray C, Fish R, Porter, J, Trevis H, Woods V. 2021. Valuing Nature through multiple lenses: Highlights from the Valuing Nature PCT Programme (2014–2021). Valuing Nature Programme, UKCEH, Wallingford.
Stevens, Sally; Turner, Stephen; Sarkar, Sunita, eds. 2019 About drought handbook: outcomes and impacts. Wallingford, NERC/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 59pp.
Sarkar, S., Perras, M.R., Falk, D.E. et al. 2004. Relationship between gibberellins, height, and stress tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings. Plant Growth Regulation 42, 125–135.