Senior Scientist

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Skype: majorestre


ResearchGate profile
Training
Maria José Restrepo Rodríguez is a Colombian biologist specializing in transdisciplinary research with a focus on sustainability and rural development. She earned her biology degree from the Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia, where she focused on environmental education and collaborated closely with local communities in the Colombian Amazon and Andean Highlands.
 
She pursued a Master’s degree in Sustainable International Agriculture at the Universities of Kassel and Göttingen in Germany. During this time, she conducted participatory action research with agro-pastoralists in Mozambique, earning the Award for Excellence in the Master’s Thesis.
 
In 2017, Maria completed her Ph.D. at the University of Hohenheim, Germany. Her research focused on collaborative learning with small-scale dairy producers in Kenya, exploring strategies to reduce post-harvest losses and foster local innovation. Her dissertation was awarded the distinction of Magna cum laude.
Career
Throughout her career, Maria has been actively involved as a researcher and consultant in transdisciplinary projects that focus on engaging local actors in research and promoting the sustainable use and management of strategic ecosystems in the Global South. She joined DITSL in 2009 through a "work and study grant" from the International Center for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) at the University of Kassel. Since then, she has contributed to DITSL as a research assistant, carried out her Master’s thesis research, and completed her Ph.D., further solidifying her expertise in transdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Maria currently coordinates engagement with the "community committees" in the InfoRange project. These committees serve as platforms for local actors to provide feedback, raise concerns, and contribute insights that inform research activities and decisions, enhancing two-way communication between researchers, technical developers, and societal stakeholders.
Research
Maria’s research focuses on transdisciplinary and actor-oriented approaches in sustainability and rural development, particularly within agroecological contexts. She investigates tools and methods to empower local actors, co-produce knowledge, foster innovation, and improve livelihoods. Her work integrates participatory action research, collaborative learning, and the use of participatory video and photography.
 
Maria’s advocacy for participatory photography and video adds a unique dimension to her work. By empowering communities to document their perspectives and foster collaboration, she amplifies their voices in research and development processes, ensuring more inclusive and impactful outcomes.
 
Her contributions to academic literature include lead and co-authored publications in Q1 journals such as Sustainability Science, Environmental Science & Policy, and Journal of Rural Studies. Her work exemplifies the integration of scientific research with community engagement, promoting sustainable practices and addressing the digital divide in rural and underserved areas.
 
Learn more about Dr. Restrepo’s work ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and ORCID
Experience abroad Maria has extensive fieldwork experience in diverse ecological and cultural contexts. She has worked in remote regions of Colombia, including the Amazonia and Páramos, as well as in Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.