Social Sciences in Nitrogen Research

Dr. Anastasia "Annie" Yang, a senior research fellow at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science, has established herself as a leading expert in environmental policy and socio-ecological systems research. Her diverse career spans multiple prestigious institutions, including roles at the Centre of International Forestry Research in Indonesia and the Thünen Institute in Hamburg. As a key member of the UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub, she leads groundbreaking research on nitrogen pollution policies across South Asia, analyzing hundreds of nitrogen-related policies and identifying implementation gaps across eight countries. Her expertise extends beyond nitrogen management to forest landscape restoration and community-based resource management, encompassing both tropical forests and Scottish woodlands. As Forest and Peatland Academic Manager within the Social Responsibility and Sustainability Department at Edinburgh, she effectively bridges academic research with practical implementation. Her interdisciplinary approach combines spatial econometrics, stakeholder analysis, and qualitative methodologies, making significant contributions to understanding multilevel governance in environmental policy. Yang's research portfolio includes pioneering work in environmental sustainability, agricultural policy, forest governance, and community management, with her publications being widely cited in the academic community. Her role in evaluating nitrogen-relevant policies and stakeholder engagement across different scales continues to contribute significantly to sustainable development goals in South Asia, while her work in Scottish forest policy as an academic fellow with Scottish Parliament demonstrates her commitment to local environmental governance.