The Eco Baddies Team

Nayifa Nihad

Nayifa Nihad is a PhD researcher from the Maldives exploring how island communities navigate the lived realities of climate change, displacement, and place attachment. Her work centers on the Maldives and other island territories, where she investigates how residents resist narratives of isolation and loss, and instead reimagine belonging and resilience in the face of environmental and socio-political upheaval.

Her research engages with frameworks from cultural and political ecology, postcolonial geography, and Indigenous studies, with a focus on the intersection of environmental change, identity, and sovereignty. She has presented her work in academic and community forums, including her recent conference paper, “Beyond Isolation: (Re)Creating Belonging and Place Attachment in the Maldivian Islands Post-Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004.”

Nayifa has a BA and an MA in International Studies focusing on global climate change. She has also worked as a researcher for Plataforma Cipo in Brazil and the Center for Peace and Development at the University of Oklahoma. Nayifa’s work draws from community-based research methods and centers the voices of those most impacted by climate crises and structural displacement.

Uyoon Naeem

Uyoon Naeem is a recent Environmental Science and Management Master’s (MSc) graduate from the University of York with a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Environmental Science from the University of Sheffield. She was awarded the highest achieving student award during both her undergraduate studies and postgraduate studies. She is a dedicated environmental researcher with a strong interdisciplinary foundation and a passion for advancing nature-based solutions to global environmental challenges.  

During her postgraduate studies, her dissertation focused on blue carbon in mangrove ecosystems in Small Island Developing States and more specifically, in the Maldives. This research explored the carbon sequestration potential of mangroves and evaluated how these habitats can contribute to national climate change mitigation goals. The project emphasized the role of blue carbon in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Her research experience spans from fieldwork, and laboratory analysis to data analysis, including ecosystem assessment, geospatial analysis, stakeholder interviews, and literature-based synthesis. She is skilled in communicating complex scientific ideas to diverse audiences, and is particularly interested in bridging the gap between academic research and practical implementation on the ground.

With a commitment to environmental justice and the empowerment of frontline communities, Uyoon aims to contribute to research that not only informs policy but also supports inclusive solutions to environmental issues.

Nadhuyan Nihad

Nadhuyan Nihad graduated from the United World College Maastricht in the Netherlands, where she completed the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme with a focus on Business and Sustainability. Her reflective project explored the question: should governments should impose strict limits on client numbers for dive centers in high conservation areas like the Maldives?

During her studies, Nadhuyan gained practical experience through an internship at Château St. Gerlach, a prestigious 5-star superior hotel in Limburg, Netherlands. Her work focused on developing effective communication strategies to address employee disengagement in sustainability initiatives across the organization.

Looking ahead, Nadhuyan will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sustainability: Planning and Management at the University of Oklahoma. She is excited to connect with like-minded individuals who share her passion for environmental issues and to conduct research on innovative strategies for communicating sustainability challenges and solutions.