Carla Sofia Ferreira Fernandes

Early-career researcher working at the intersection of climate change, environemntal stressors and migration with a particular focus on North Africa, and authored policy briefs translating research and field observations into recommendations for decision-makers.. Alongside my academic work, I have field experience as a humanitarian practitioner in conflict-affected areas, which has given me a grounded, practice-informed perspective on human security. This combination of academic research, humanitarian practice, and institutional policy experience has shaped an interdisciplinary approach that bridges scholarly analysis with on-the-ground realities and policy relevance. My work sits within the broader field of non-traditional security studies, engaging with themes such as environmental (in)security and displacement. I am particularly interested in how research can more directly inform adaptation to environmental degardation and migration policy in a human security perspective, and in strengthening the connection between academic knowledge production and practical policymaking. Looking ahead, I am keen to expand my engagement with broader security debates, contribute to collaborative, cross-disciplinary research, and continue developing the practical skills needed to make academic work more accessible and useful to policymakers working on migration, climate adaptation, and human security.