Sayako Koyama is a Research Associate at UNU-IAS.
Her research focus is on biocultural diversity in the Noto region and Noto Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). After working at an environmental consultancy in Tokyo and as a park ranger in Ogasawara Islands, she was a freelance translator in the field of environmental conservation. She has also worked at Kanazawa University on the Satoyama Satoumi Meister Training Program and has supported the Noto SDGs Lab in Suzu City as a collaborative researcher.
In her current role at UNU-IAS OUIK, Ms. Koyama supports the management of Noto GIAHS Biodiversity Working Group to create citizen participatory biodiversity monitoring system in collaboration with local experts and stakeholders; creates materials and plans events to raise awareness about GIAHS and its biocultural diversity; and facilitates online exchanges between schoolchildren in Noto and Ifugao GIAHS.
Research Interests
- Biocultural diversity
- Environmental education
- Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)