María Paula Otero Mora

PhD Student

Natural Resources and the Environment

I am a Colombian researcher, currently a Ph.D. student in Natural Resources and the Environment and a Team TERRA fellow at the University of Connecticut. I hold a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Economics and Environmental Law from Rosario University, as well as two master’s degree: Interdisciplinary Studies for Development and Gender from Universidad de Los Andes.

My research focuses on empowering urban coastal communities, particularly women, through participation in monitoring and engagement processes. I explore how social, economic, and environmental factors intersect in these communities, the challenges and opportunities for gender-sensitive environmental management, customizing participatory approaches to specific contexts, and the role of policies and governance in community empowerment in urban coastal areas.