PhD Dissertation

In Progress

My PhD dissertation covers two of the most significant energy projects in Tanzanian history, the Norway-financed Pangani Falls and Lower Kihansi projects. With a particular focus on the environmental and socio-economic issues that affected both projects, the dissertation gives unprecedented insight into the Tanzanian-Norwegian relationship during the 1990s, the development of Tanzania’s energy and water management systems, and the engagement of Western environmental activists in African energy.

With a total combined Norwegian contribution of over NOK 1 billion (adjusted for inflation), the two projects represented a high-stakes gamble on the energy future of the East African nation. As the dissertation analyzes in-depth, the two projects were beset by several environmental and socio-economic challenges, ranging from a protracted conflict over water management in the Pangani River Basin to a bitter fight over the future of the Lower Kihansi project and the fate of an extremely rare species of toad discovered in the immediate project area.

In doing so, the dissertation navigates the extremely complex relationship between energy, development, and environmental and socio-economic concerns – a challenging relationship that will only increasingly define the trajectories of energy projects in the years to come.

Photo: Norad Archive

Process

As managing editor of AmCham Norway’s 2020-21 Membership Guide, my role encompassed all facets of publication management, including budgeting, content development, and facilitation of contributions from 65+ member companies, business leaders, and senior Norwegian and American officials.

The Guide included 40+ pages of bespoke content and seven in-depth articles, all directly aligned with AmCham’s overarching mission, advancing transatlantic business. Coordinating closely with advertising sponsors, graphic designers, and printers, I oversaw a seamless development and production process, including the distribution of the Guide to over 400+ member company, partner, and government stakeholders.

Additionally, I spearheaded the Guide’s digital launch, amplifying the Guide’s reach through the design of a dedicated webpage and custom social media content.