Mallika Sardeshpande recently started her new position as assistant professor at The Department of Urban and Rural Development! She is working on the human dimensions of biodiversity and global environmental change, with the primary mission of understanding and envisioning how cities can be better designed to enable biodiversity and humans to flourish together. Curious about knowing more? Read a short interview with Mallika below.
Your new role – what does it involve?
I am developing the subject area of urban ecology, specifically biodiversity, at the division of landscape architecture. I design research and applied work around questions like: how can we design cities to better support human-biodiversity coexistence? I’m also linking this work through collaboration with peers in other departments, institutions, and countries.
What are you currently working on?
I’m looking for evidence from around the world on a number of themes in urban ecology. For example, what wildlife do we share our cities with, and what effects does greenspace have on human wellbeing? I’m also developing more specific research proposals and plans with my new group.
Anything in particular you’re looking forward to this autumn?
There are a few very interesting conferences and meetings I am attending this autumn, where I get to meet colleagues, old and new, in my new role as urban ecologist at SLU. And then there is the entire experience of a Nordic autumn, which is a first for me.
Your impressions of SOL and SLU so far?
SOL feels like one big family working on different parts of the same house. We have so much to talk about despite working on such diverse topics. And SLU is creating spaces within the broader landscape for us to exchange ideas and thrive.
What gives you most energy during a typical working day?
A lunch conversation, where we share a thought, a laugh, and a sense of community.
What do you do to unwind after a hard day’s work?
Drop into the appropriate genre of music.
What genres would that be?
Jazz or rock, depending on what comes after the hard work.
Where can people find you in the office?
Either hammering at my desk, or darting between meetings around campus.
Read more about Mallika's research here.