Dr Melike Kuş, winner of the 2023 Alumni Awards in the Science and Sustainability category, is a renowned expert in climate change adaptation and sustainable development. With the award funding, she was able to pursue a course on nature- based solutions at Oxford University, which laid the groundwork for a transformative new curriculum for urban planning students in Turkey.
‘As an urban planner, my focus has shifted from disaster risk management to environmental planning and climate change adaptation’ Dr Kuş says. Over the past 11 years, she has coordinated the Land and Water Programme at the Nature Conservation Centre and contributed to UNESCO's MAB Committee. ‘Winning the UK Alumni Award highlighted the climate and biodiversity crises and fuelled my passion for nature-based solutions.‘
The award enabled her to complete Oxford University’s Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges course. ‘This led to the swift development of a new course on nature-based solutions, which I co-designed with Assoc. Prof. Meltem Şenol Balaban from the Middle East Technical University City and Regional Planning Department.’
Launching in Spring 2024-25, the course will equip urban planning students with knowledge of ecosystem-based adaptation and resilience. ‘Our goal is to prepare students to tackle climate challenges through collaborative, innovative projects supported by partnerships that offer hands-on experience’ Dr Kuş explains.