Who We Are

Expert Associate Research Fellow

Simon Schunz

Dr Simon Schunz is an Associate Research Fellow at UNU-CRIS since 2018.

Staff Head of Executive Office

Philippa Schwarzbach-Dobson

Expert Deputy Director of UNU-EHS

As of 1 January 2021, Prof. Dr. Zita Sebesvari assumed the role of Deputy Director of UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). She heads the institute’s Risk and Adaptation department and serves as the scientific lead of EHS’s flagship report Interconnected Disaster Risks.

Staff Communications Consultant

Bárbara Seco

Bárbara Seco is currently a Communications Consultant at UNU-EGOV. She joined the institution in March 2026.

Expert Lead, Hydrology and Climate Change Analytics in Africa

Prof. Ousmane Seidou

Professor Ousmane Seidou is an expert hydrological modeling, climate change impact assessment, and developing climate change adaptation strategies with two decades of experience in research and teaching.

Expert Senior Visiting Fellow

Gita Sen

Gita Sen is a Senior Visiting Fellow at UNU-IIGH.

UNU Council Member UNU Council Member; Research Professor at the Centre for International Studies, El Colegio de México

Prof. Mónica Serrano

Prof. Mónica Serrano is Professor of International Relations at El Colegio de México.

Expert Doctoral Researcher

Sampha Sesay

Sampha Sesay is part of the Joint PhD Programme of UNU Resource Nexus and TU Dresden.

Expert Associate Academic Officer

Dominic Sett

Dominic Sett is an Associate Academic Officer leading the SAFER-BiH project, which provides risk information to enhance disaster risk management in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the UNU-EHS component of the FloodAdaptVN project, which provides science-based support for flood risk adaptation implementation in Hue, Viet Nam. He is an alumnus of UNU-EHS and the University of Bonn’s Joint Master’s programme, and currently pursues his PhD in Disaster Risk Research at the University of Potsdam.

Staff Executive Associate

Thiyagu Sevellinggam

Thiyagu joined UNU IIGH as the Executive Associate in September 2023. He is a seasoned professional and adept administrator, with a wealth of experience in the educational sector. Armed with a degree in Human Resources Management from OUM Malaysia, he has honed his expertise over a eight-year career dedicated to the field of education. Throughout his journey, Thiyagu has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and proficiency in various administrative capacities.