Dr. Rio Deswandi offers a multidisciplinary perspective to his work, earning a Ph.D. in Economic and Social Science from Bremen University in Germany, a Master of Science in Integrated Natural Resources Management from Universitas Andalas in Indonesia, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. With over 15 years of significant expertise in research, project management, and development, especially in natural resource management. His expertise spans various fields, including hazardous waste management, institutional analysis, integrated natural resource management, and gender and development. With a robust academic foundation and a versatile toolkit of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methodologies, Dr. Deswandi has consistently left an indelible mark on the field, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of innovative contributions.

 
Dr. Deswandi has held key positions throughout his career and delivered notable achievements in various projects. As the National Technical Advisor and National Project Manager for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Indonesia, he successfully implemented the project “Introduction of an Environmentally‐sound Management and Disposal Systems for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Wastes and PCB‐ contaminated Equipment.” His contributions included the establishment of national policies and regulations, the development of institutional capacity, and the commissioning of a pilot facility for non-thermal PCB disposal.

As an Individual Expert Member of the PCB Removal Network (PEN) under the Stockholm Convention since 2021, he has played an essential role in pushing for the removal of hazardous waste, notably polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Dr. Deswandi has also been a member of the European Association for Southeast Asian Studies (EURSEAS) since 2010, where he has contributed to intellectual conversations and research in the region. He is also an affiliate of the Complex System Summer School (CSSS) at the prestigious Santa Fe Institute in New Mexico, USA, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and interdisciplinary approaches to complex environmental challenges. Dr. Deswandi’s professional affiliations highlight his commitment to improving sustainable practices and fostering worldwide cooperation in natural resource management. Dr. Deswandi is also actively contributed to international initiatives, research collaborations, and published scientific journals. His published works include research on PCB inventory management and coastal social-ecological systems.

Dr. Deswandi was honored with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Scholarship Award in Science for the Protection of the Indonesian Coastal Ecosystem (SPICE) II Cluster 6 2007. This prestigious award honored his remarkable contribution to preserving and maintaining Indonesia’s coastal ecosystems. He was previously awarded the Ford Foundation Scholarship in Integrated Natural Resource Management in 2005. This prestigious Ford Foundation grant recognized his remarkable academic achievements and dedication to advancing sustainable management practices at Universitas Andalas in Indonesia and the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. His fluency in English and Indonesian allows him to communicate and collaborate effectively with various parties. Dr. Rio Deswandi’s devotion, skills, and achievements make him a highly respected practitioner in natural resource management and sustainable development.