Dr. Karl Wurster is an environmental governance scholar and digital systems specialist working at the intersection of applied research and public policy implementation.
Dr. Wurster contributes to UNU-INWEH's work in environmental governance by applying advanced geospatial analysis to develop policy solutions for natural resource governance. His work focuses on digital ecosystems, cybersecurity resilience, and the integration of artificial intelligence and satellite data into environmental and economic decision-making.
Dr. Wurster’s experience includes applied environmental research in Africa, Asia, and North America, as well as 18 years of work as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he led large-scale environmental, economic, and digital governance programs. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with governments, multilateral institutions, civil society, and research organizations to strengthen institutional capacity, advance data-driven policy, and integrate emerging technologies into environmental and economic governance.
Dr. Wurster holds a PhD and MA in Geography from the University of Maryland (USA) and a BSc in Biological Sciences from Montana State University (USA).