Dr. Metolo Foyet is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner in human geography and computational social sciences, with expertise in agriculture, land governance, conservation, and conflict. She brings over fourteen years of experience in rural development, environmental and social safeguards, social justice, competitiveness, and digital storytelling with institutions such as the World Bank, UN agencies, and the Open Society Foundations.
She has advanced planetary health goals through macro-economic and risk analysis, policy formulation, and knowledge translation, supporting public and private actors across North America, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She contributed to The Nature Conservancy’s global Human Rights Due Diligence efforts and played key roles in the World Bank’s PRAPS, PACOFIDE, and COVID-19 Preparedness projects, strengthening agro-industry and health value chains. Her work has also supported youth and women-led enterprises through partnerships with AWF, SNV, the ICR Facility, FMCGs, and regional Chambers of Commerce.
Her current research focuses on natural resource governance, critical minerals, the bioeconomy, and rural resistance movements, covering the Congo Basin, the Sahel, the Guinean Forests of West Africa and the semi-arid landscapes of Southern Africa. Using netnography and rights-based approaches, she explores the nexus between resource management, extractive institutions, technology, and IPLCs.
She has designed and taught courses in economic and social geography, African studies, and conservation, while serving as Review Editor, Internal Reviewer, and Facilitator. Author of 100+ scholarly and policy-oriented publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, and policy briefs, with frequent invited talks at international academic/professional forums, her work has been featured by the Commonwealth Secretariat and 2050NOW La Maison; and on CNN, the World Economic Forum Agenda on Nature, various policy think tanks’ publications.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Expert and artist, Dr. Foyet transforms research insights into creative advocacy for Indigenous peoples and sustainable innovation.
