Dr. Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola is a Senior Research Associate at the United Nations  University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) in Bonn, Germany. An  expert in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, Dr. Okunola has over a decade of  experience in research, policy development, and teaching. His work centers on advancing  resilience planning through innovative approaches to adaptation, sustainability, and disaster risk  reduction. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Obafemi Awolowo University,  Nigeria.  

Dr. Okunola has conducted extensive research and implemented projects on disaster risk  governance and climate change adaptation in cities across the Global South and North. He has  successfully led and managed high-impact initiatives, including Urban Resilience in 50 African  Cities, Transformative Recovery for Minimizing Loss and Damage, Integrated Disaster  Governance, Community Resilience to Climate Change Extreme Events, Cascading and Systemic  Risks from Climate Extreme Events, and Social Cohesion and Inclusive Education in Informal  Settlements.  

In his professional career, Dr. Okunola has collaborated extensively as a project manager, team  leader, component lead, and chief reporting officer on initiatives supported by organizations such  as the World Bank, Ford Foundation, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the  German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). His contributions have earned him prestigious  scholarships and fellowships, including the DAAD Scholarship, Alexander von Humboldt  Fellowship, and the Mary Fran Myers Scholarship. He has also published numerous scientific  papers and fostered global collaborations with experts from Germany, England, Saudi Arabia,  South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and India.  

Beyond academia, Dr. Okunola is a sought-after public affairs analyst. His insights on disaster risk  reduction and climate resilience have been featured on leading platforms such as the London  School of Economics, The Brookings Institution, and The Conversation. His expertise has been  highlighted in major news outlets, including The New York Times, Financial Times, The  Washington Post, and Al Jazeera. Additionally, he frequently contributes to international media  such as Radio France Internationale (RFI), BBC, and Newzroom Afrika.