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Karen Nortje brings over 20 years of expertise in environmental anthropology, gender analysis and social inclusion. Her work integrates socio-cultural insights into technical challenges in sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate adaptation, ensuring that solutions are inclusive, equitable and transformative. Nortje specializes in gender mainstreaming, stakeholder engagement, responsible scaling of innovations and policy impact. With extensive field experience across Africa, India, Vietnam and the Americas, she has successfully led interdisciplinary teams, developed GESI-responsive research methodologies and influenced policy and practice at multiple levels. Nortje’s expertise spans qualitative research, science communication and community-based approaches to water security, biodiversity conservation and agrifood systems resilience. She has a strong publication record and a track record of securing and managing high-impact research projects. Nortje is passionate about leveraging local knowledge, digital innovations and participatory approaches. She collaborates with governments, non-governmental organizations, donors and the private sector to drive evidence-based, socially inclusive solutions for sustainable development.