Erik F. Acanakwo

Erik Francis Acanakwo joined CIFOR-ICRAF in 2019 and is currently a scientist and country representative for Uganda. A conservation enthusiast with interests in nature and environmental research, he seeks to understand the mechanisms that explain observed ecological phenomena in nature – particularly how plants interact with each other and with animals – as well as how environmental variables influence observed phenomena. Prior to joining CIFOR-ICRAF, he was a PhD fellow involved in research and teaching at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, a volunteer research assistant at ICRAF, a project officer at Uganda Conservation Foundation, a graduate student researcher at Makerere University and a trainee forester at Global Woods, Kikonda. Dr Acanakwo holds a PhD in ecology and natural resource management from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas (2018), an MSc in agroforestry from Makerere University, Kampala (2011) and a BSc in forestry from Makerere University (2007).  

Dr Acanakwo’s academic and work experience have bred a passion for understanding the roles that trees and forests can play in supporting livelihoods and facilitating landscape restoration and the sustainable provision of ecosystem services. He is interested in understanding mechanisms and incentives for promoting trees on farm, the assessment of appropriate agroforestry technologies, and the use of trees on farms for carbon programming.