Research focus
My PhD research explores the complex human-environment interactions in the Nepali plains (Tarai) to draw insights into non-linear environment-livelihood relationships, particularly the increasing use of ex-situ earnings from transnational migration.
The major tasks associated my research are:
- Design a mixed-methods study to evaluate human-environment interactions.
- Conduct household surveys and interviews at two study sites in the Nepali plains.
- Conduct quantitative analysis of primary field survey data.
- Conduct quantitative analysis of of trends on climate variability and change on long-term climatic data.
- Assess the impacts on environmental change to local livelihood at study sites using socio-ecological resilience, and risk society framework.
My previous research work involved climate change adaptation policy and environmental design.
Educational background
- PhD (2017), Department of Geography, Environment and Population, The University of Adelaide, Australia
- Master in Urban & Regional Planning [MURP] (2010), University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Specialization in environmental planning and urban design
- Leadership Certificate (2010), East-West Center Education Program / University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- Bachelor in Architecture [B. Arch.] (2004), Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Pulchowk, Lalitpur District, Bagmati Zone, Nepal. Elective courses in energy efficient design
Employment history
Teaching Assistant, April 2018 -
Department of Geography, Environment & Population, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
Roles and responsibilities: Grade examinations papers and give detailed evaluation report and feedback.
University Tutor, August – October 2015
Department of Geography, Environment & Population, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
Roles and responsibilities: Tutor undergraduate students on topics of environmental management, climate change impacts and natural resource management; conduct workshops on data analysis and future climate projection tools; observe students’ performance, and record relevant data to assess progress; grade student presentations.
Teaching Assistant, March – April 2012
Department of Urban Planning & Architecture, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Roles and responsibilities: Supervise graduate students in studios; give feedback on student projects individually or in small groups; observe students’ performance, and record relevant data to assess progress; grade student presentations and reports.
Planning Head (Urban Planner) August 2010 – September 2012
ADF Nepal Pvt. Ltd. (Kupondole, Lalitpur; www.adf.com.np)
Roles and responsibilities: Conducted field survey for periodic plans, physical development plans for various villages and market centres; conducted community mapping and project prioritization workshops; prepared disaster management plans, climate vulnerability reduction plans; prepared detail project reports; co-ordinated with line agencies; presented project plans to Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and Village Development Committees.
Architect January 2005 – August 2008
ADF Nepal Pvt. Ltd. (Kupondole, Lalitpur; www.adf.com.np)
Additional experience
- Project co-coordinator for Youth in Science Vietnam—a project supported by the U.S. Department of State Alumni and YSEALI grant program, Feb – Mar 2023
- Innovator in Residence, 20 May 2017 – 30 June 2017, Adelaide City Council, 25 Pirie Street, Adelaide
- Innovation Lab volunteer, June 2013 – present, Adelaide City Library, Level 3, Rundell Place, Adelaide
- Co-editor in chief for Journal ‘Transformations in Leadership’, Volume 1, No. 3, Spring 2009 published by East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA
- Served as Graduate Students Organization (GSO)-Representative for East-West Center Participants Association (EWCPA) board, 2008-2009.
- Trainee Architect at Architects’ Collaborate (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd., November 2002-March 2003
- Managing Editor for Architectural Journal Vaastu Volume 5, 2002-2003
Publications and conference presentations
- Shrestha, U.B., Shrestha, A.M., Aryal, S., Shrestha S., Gautam M. S., & Ojha, H. (2019). Climate change in Nepal: a comprehensive analysis of instrumental data and people’s perceptions. Climatic Change (March 2019) DOI: 10.1007/s10584-019-02418-5
- Shrestha, Asheshwor Man, Bardsley, Douglas Kenneth, Rudd, Dianne M., Hugo, Graeme John, & School of Social Sciences. (2017). Climate, Agriculture and Migration: A Critical Review of Dynamic Livelihood Changes in the Nepali Tarai. Thesis (Ph.D.) DOI: 10.4225/55/5a16000932a85
- Shrestha, A. M. (2016). Transnational networks and off-farm livelihood strategies among farming households: case studies from the Nepali Tarai. Paper presented at the Agrifood XXIII Conference "Food and the Asian Century: Opportunities and Challenges in the ‘Neighbourhood’", 7-10 December 2016. Adelaide, Australia.
Slides Conference
- Shrestha, A. M. (2015). Human mobility and socio-ecological resilience: environmental change and livelihood diversification strategies in the Nepali Tarai. Paper presented at the "GEP Postgraduate Conference", 9 November 2015. Adelaide, Australia.
- Shrestha, A. M. & Bardsley, D. B. (2015). Shifting mobility patterns-environmental change and migration to and from the Nepali plains. Paper presented at the "Climate Change and Human Mobility Workshop", 26-27 March 2015. Canberra, Australia.
Slides
- Shrestha, A. M. & Bardsley, D. B. (2014). Human mobility and resilience-livelihood diversification strategies in the Nepali plains. Paper presented at the "Climate Adaptation 2014 Future Challenges" conference, 30 September - 2 October 2014. Gold Coast, Australia.
Slides
- Shrestha, A. M. (2014). Climate change and floods in the Nepali Tarai: Perceptions and climatic evidence. Paper presented at the "13th East-West Center Graduate Students’ Conference", February 13-15 2014. Honolulu, USA.
Conference
- Shrestha, A. M. (2012). Integrating local inputs for prioritizing adaptation measures - the case of Nepal. Paper presented at Planet Under Pressure Conference themed "New Knowledge Towards Solutions", 26-29 March 2012. London, UK.
- Shrestha, A. M. (2011). Climate change adaptation policy tools for tourism in small islands – the case of Palau. Paper presented at the LOICZ Open Science Conference "Coastal Systems, Global Change and Sustainability", 12-15 September 2011. Yantai, China.
- Shrestha, A. M. (2010). Preparing for climate change: an evaluative framework for prioritizing adaptation measures in Nepal. Paper presented at International Conference on "Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas", 12-14 December 2010. Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Shrestha, A. M. (2010). Preparing for climate change: an evaluative framework for prioritizing adaptation measures in Nepal. Botanica Orientalis, Vol. 7: 35-42.
Paper
- Shrestha, A. M. (2009). Medium is the message: Mahabir Pun as a Leader and Social Entrepreneur. ‘Transformations in Leadership’, Volume 1, No. 3, East-West Center, Honolulu, USA.
Journal