Oxford, GB
The Integral Ecology Research Network (IERN) is pleased to announce Salvatore Coppola-Finegan as its inaugural Research Affiliate. This strategic affiliation marks an early milestone in IERN’s mission to develop the research paradigm of Integral Ecology.
It places particular focus on enhancing Global Environmental and Climate Governance by bridging science and knowledge, policy-making, and the voices of key stakeholders in implementation—especially those in the Global South, such as Indigenous peoples, faith-based communities, and environmental stewards.
Salvatore Coppola-Finegan is a researcher, advisor, and published author with a multidisciplinary academic background in planetary health, geography, and sustainable development. He possesses extensive experience across Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia with expertise spanning sustainability, governance and policy in the research, policy, and private sectors.
A Strategic Early Milestone for IERN
This affiliation represents an important early step for IERN, reinforcing its position as a significant international network in Integral Ecology research, under the auspices of Campion Hall, University of Oxford. Salvatore’s unique set of knowledge and experience integrating science into policy and implementation, public sector service, together with his applied experience in Central America accompanying marginalised voices dedicated to social-ecological justice, align well with IERN’s vision of research directed towards systemic transformation. His confirmation as a Research Affiliate enhances IERN’s global reach and reaffirms its commitment to being a leader in developing a sustainable future.
Shared Enthusiasm and Responsibilities
Salvatore’s work bridges science, policy, and practice. His research in Global Environmental and Climate Governance focuses on making international frameworks such as UN conventions more effective by integrating scientific insights with the perspectives of key stakeholders such as Indigenous peoples, faith-based communities, and environmental stewards: core to IERN’s mission. His affiliation reflects his global influence and the transformative potential of his contributions to IERN transdisciplinary and applied research.
Fr. Peter Rozic, SJ, Director of IERN expressed enthusiasm for this affiliation: “Salvatore Coppola-Finegan’s confirmation as our first Research Affiliate is an important moment for IERN. His expertise and passion for Integral Ecology will be sure to inspire significant research and strengthen our global network, as well as his particular sensitivity for the social facets of the intertwined ecological and climate crises and the challenges in the Global South. We are happy to welcome him.”
Salvatore Coppola-Finegan added: “I am humbled to have been proposed and confirmed as IERN’s first Research Affiliate. I see this as an opportunity to contribute to world-class research dedicated to genuine sustainability and social justice. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues globally to link science, policy, and the voices of those most affected by climate and environmental collapse.”
About The Integral Ecology Research Network (IERN)
IERN is an initiative of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute (LSRI) at Campion Hall, University of Oxford. Its mission is to drive academic research, foster global collaborations, and engage scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and communities to promote socio-ecological transformation in line with the principles of Integral Ecology articulated in Laudato Si’ (2015). IERN seeks to bridge the gap for researchers, particularly younger academics, who aspire to incorporate transdisciplinary methodologies into their work and connect research to policy and practice.
About Salvatore Coppola-Finegan
Salvatore Coppola-Finegan’s multi-disciplinary academic journey includes Masters degrees from the University of St Andrews and Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, and spans disciplines such as Classics, Modern Languages, Planetary Health, and Geography. Fluent in six languages, his career over the past 15 years has spanned public policy, conservation, research, and sustainability writ large. Notably, he previously served on the governing Board of the Costa Rican National Conservation System, and as Chief Special Adviser to the Head of the Government Bench in the Costa Rican Parliament where he worked on pioneering legislation on environment, natural resources, and energy inter alia. He is currently Board Member and Senior Adviser at EcoCitizen where he bridges research and policy through innovation in technology, counsels governments in environmental governance and policy implementation, and advises business on sustainability and digitalisation.
For additional information on this exciting partnership, please visit https://iern.org/.
