Dr Thorn is a Namibian social-ecological systems scientist, with a background in ecology and human geography. She draws from 16 years of experience in 57 countries in the policy-science interface. Currently, she combines participatory scenario analysis, probabilistic social-ecological modelling, multi-scalar institutional analysis, and ecosystem service quantification. Her current research focuses on natural climate solutions in peri-urban areas in Namibia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Sierra Leone. She is also interested in the impacts of Chinese mega linear infrastructure on landscape connectivity. She completed her BSocSci(Hons) majoring in env science, psychology & human geography at U of Cape Town. After working with Conservation International, in 2010 she completed her MSc in Env Change & Management at Oxford, funded by DFID. Kenyan fieldwork involved collaborations with UN International Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted by Prof. Thornton. In 2012, she received a scholarship by CGIAR Climate Change Agriculture & Food Security to complete her DPhil at Oxford (Merton College), hosted by Prof. Willis. She completed her postdoc at Colorado State/ETH Zurich, hosted by Prof. Klein , her second postdoc at the U of York, hosted by Prof. Marchant, and a fellowship at the University of Cape Town African Climate and Development Initiative, hosted by Prof. Shackleton. Professional activities have been affiliated with the UN, CGIAR, government, NGOs, & universities working closely with local stakeholders across sectors & scales. She is a coordinating author of GEO 6 Business policy brief, contributing author for IPCC WG2 AR6 and TEEB reports, an active affiliate of the Next Einstein Forum fellow, and African Academy of Sciences Affiliate. As a scientist, Jessica has research experience in the UK, South Africa, US & Switzerland, & project management experience in Nepal, India, Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam, Tanzania, Namibia & Peru. She has been involved in various NSF, NERC, GCRF, DFID, CG, IDRC, UKAID, EU & USAID funded projects in Asia & Africa. She co-supervises 3 PhD & 2 MSc students & teaches university courses. Research topics • Nature-based solutions • Future proofing development corridors • Climate adaptation • Ecosystem services & functional diversity • Agrobiodiversity conservation & ethnobotany • Mountain social-ecological systems Research skills • Field ecosystem service assessments • Scenario planning • Transdisciplinary practice • Systematic review methodologies • Participatory rural appraisal, quantitative livelihood surveys