We are a small department dedicated to advancing inter- and trans-disciplinary science and learning aimed at understanding and managing complex human-environmental/social-ecological systems, with a focus on Africa. We have five core academic staff members, a DST/NRF (SARChI) Research Chair in “Land and Natural Resource Use for Sustainable Livelihoods”, and four support staff. We draw students from all faculties and we are one of the most productive departments in the university in terms of per capita research outputs. We are interested in human-environment interactions and in the governance and sustainable management of complex social-ecological systems. We recognise that we are living in a globalising and rapidly changing world characterised by numerous interconnected environmental and social challenges. We undertake research on the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of these challenges, with the goal of contributing towards more resilient, equitable and sustainable pathways into the future. The nexus between human well-being, livelihoods, vulnerability, ecosystem services and change is central in all our work. Key areas of research include: Livelihoods, vulnerability and biodiversity Ecosystem services and societal benefits Non-timber forest products use, trade and management Landscape change and land degradation Co-management and governance of protected areas Community based natural resource management Social learning for change Urbanisation, urban greening and forestry Invasive plants – uses, impacts and management Food security, especially in relation to ecosystem services provision and wild foods https://www.ru.ac.za/environmentalscience/