Bilal Butt

Dr. Bilal Butt is an Associate Professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability and a faculty affiliate of the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the political ecology of pastoralism and protected areas in East Africa, emphasizing empirical fieldwork to explore the interactions between pastoralists and wildlife across ecologically diverse regions. By employing various geospatial technologies—such as GPS tracking on livestock—he investigates how communities, wildlife, and livestock adapt to changing climate and political landscapes. Additionally, Dr. Butt critiques scientific and technical assessments that misinterpret the landscapes of rangeland peoples, often resulting in orientalist approaches to development programs. He has a robust background in addressing environmental conflicts, particularly related to wildlife poaching, land grabs, and green energy initiatives. A recipient of the NSF Career Award, Dr. Butt has contributed to numerous scholarly journals, including the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal of Applied Ecology, and Humanity. He teaches courses on Conservation and Development, Political Ecology, Environmental Security and Conflict, Environmental Governance, and Preparing for International Fieldwork.