Degree program: PhD

Year accepted: 2024

Advisor: Dr. Lisa Hiwasaki

Research: Gendered impacts of climate change in coastal communities

Background: Bachelors and Masters degrees in Environmental Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ruth Akorli joined the University of Rhode Island as a PhD candidate in Marine Affairs in the Fall of 2024. Ruth earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Her research topic will focus on climate change, vulnerability, women, and coastal resilience, particularly at the gendered impacts of climate change in a coastal community in Ghana.

Ruth always had a deep fascination with the ocean—its vastness and power. However, growing up in Ghana, opportunities to get involved in marine affairs were limited. When she found the interdisciplinary approach to ocean and coastal governance Marine Affairs Program at URI, it felt like her chance to finally dive into ocean and coastal issues and contribute to resilience building and climate adaptation, especially for vulnerable coastal communities in Ghana.

After graduation, Ruth interested in pursuing a career in environmental policy and development, particularly focusing on climate change and resilience and gender equity in coastal regions. At the same time, she has grown to love academia and would love to continue contributing through research and teaching, especially on how these critical issues affect vulnerable communities. Finding a balance between policy work and academia would be her ideal path forward. In her spare time, she enjoys reading (mostly sci-fi), spending time in nature, engaging in community service, and rock-climbing and once hiked to the top of one of Ghana’s tallest mountains, Mount Afadjato. If you have any questions for Ruth. or would like to collaborate with her, please don’t hesitate to reach out to her via email.