Seminar Series: Dr. Richard Munang
From Data to Decision: Embedding Public Policy Practice in Epidemiology and Biostatistica: Applications across Global, Planetary, and One Health
Richard Munang
Adjunct Research Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Short Biography:
Dr. Richard Munang is an award-winning environmental and development policy leader recognised among the Top 50 Global Sustainability Thought Leaders and Top 100 Africa & Middle East Sustainability Voices. He holds a PhD in Environmental Change & Policy (University of Nottingham) and an Executive Certificate in Climate Change & Energy Policy (Harvard Kennedy School).
With over 16 years at UNEP, he has served as Head of Global Environment Monitoring Systems (Water/Air/Oceans), Deputy Regional Director for Africa, and Coordinator of UNEP’s Climate Change Programme for Africa, leading more than 100 initiatives across climate resilience, air and water quality, environmental governance, and early warning systems.
He pioneered the first UNEP Africa Adaptation Gap Reports, conceived and created the first Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA), a continental policy framework and implementation platform for adaptation and food security in Africa, and advanced practical One-Health and food-system solutions that link climate, ecosystems, health, and livelihoods. He also founded Innovative Volunteerism, a skills-retooling model enabling youth and MSMEs to turn climate challenges into enterprise opportunities.
A prolific scholar–practitioner, Dr. Munang has published over 500 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and magazines, authored two books, and co-authored chapters in publications on the environment, climate, and development policy. His honours include UNEP’s Baobab Award for Programme Innovation, the Your Nottingham Alumni Award for Leadership and Sustainability Excellence, the Africa Environmental Hero Award, and the Africa Green Champion Award.
He is currently an Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University.
Abstract:
How does epidemiological data become a decision that changes lives?
This seminar introduces Public Policy Practice (PPP) as a practical, evidence-driven framework that enables epidemiology and biostatistics to reach the “last mile” into governance, financing, enterprise development, and community action.
Drawing on field-tested examples, including women-led solar dryer cooperatives, youth-driven biogas enterprises, value-chain early warning systems, and AI-enabled flood risk mapping, the seminar will show how integrating PPP with epidemiology produces measurable gains in health, climate resilience, and socio-economic outcomes.
The talk presents the Public Policy Practice Ladder Framework, a scalable method that transforms exposure data, surveillance insights, and environmental trends into standards, budgets, and locally owned enterprises.
By embedding PPP within teaching and research, the seminar will outline new pathways for student engagement, policy experimentation, and faculty collaborations, positioning Western University as a Canadian and global leader in evidence-to-impact translation.
Area of Research:
Environmental Epidemiology; One Health; Planetary Health; Policy–Practice Translation; Food Safety; Early Warning; Air & Water Quality; Adaptation; Climate Entrepreneurship; Youth Enterprise; Sustainable Finance; Citizen Science.
Date: Friday, January 23
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine)
