Dr. Anna McKean is a researcher specialized in environmental management, environmental governance and sustainability transition as well as an experienced project manager, who is passionate to contribute to finding solutions to current global and local environmental challenges.
I am an expert in environmental governance, sustainable development and transition, who combines academic and consulting careers. I hold a PhD Degree in Environmental Sciences and Policy obtained from the Central European University (Hungary). I also received a MSc in Sustainable Development at Uppsala University (Sweden) and MA in Business Administration with a specialization in sustainable development at National Technical University “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (Ukraine). Moreover, I holds a BSc degree in Ecology from the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (Ukraine).
My work experience includes sustainable consulting, coordinating project, fundraising, and project proposal writing (Grant Consultant UA), organizing and leading workshops, teaching seminars and facilitating academic courses, as well as mentoring students (The PhD Coach).
PhD degree in the field of environmental sciences and policy | Eleven years of experience in an environmental field at the local and international levels | Excellent command of both written and spoken English, Russian and Ukrainian languages | Fully computer literate, including standard office applications as well as in-depth knowledge of the relevant software | Certified Ukrainian-English translator | Eco-blogger
Central European University, Hungary - 2016
Uppsala University, Sweden - 2012
National Technical University “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Ukraine - 2011
National Technical University “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Ukraine - 2010
National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Ukraine - 2009
Awards and Scholarships:
NaUKMA Best Student Award (2008)
Membeship:
Developed and taught on-line course "Grant Application from A to Z", Kyiv, November 2018
Certificate "Excellence in Teaching in Higher Education", CEU, 2016
TA at "The Collective Dynamics of Social Transfornation" Course, CEU, 2013
TA at "The Sustainable Water Mangement" Course, Uppsala University, 2012
Workhops "Sustainable Concumption", Baltic Artek International Forum, August 2012/2013
Workshop "Life-Cycle Assessment", Sustainable Design Course, Uppsala University, March 2012
PhD Research "Environmental Auditing as a Tool of Environmental Governance in Ukraine", (2012-2016)
Master Thesis "Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic Bag Production", (2012)
Bachelor Thesis: "Measuring of the Welfare of Ukrainian Nation by Using Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI)", (2009)
'Green Office' Project at NaUKMA, (2006)
Co-founder & Environmental Activist
NGO Ecoclub "Green Wave”
(2006 – 2010)
Coordinated a network of ecoclubs (environmental NGOs) in Ukraine
Maintained organization website
Organized team-building workshops, Re-Art workshops, Earth Days, Water Days and Earth Hour events in Ukraine
Environmental Policy Analysis; Development of Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAP); Organisation and facilitation of capacity building activities (workshops, seminars, conferences, trainings); Qualitative Research (interviews, coding analysis)
Hosted the CIVITAS Forum Network Secretariat; Evaluated project proposals (CIVINETs Activity Fund); Organized the CIVITAS Forum; managed the PLANHEAT Project; Facilitated the development of Local Environmental and Energy-Related Actions Plans (LEAPs) in 7 municipalities in Ukraine
Conducted a qualitative research on the topic “Environmental Auditing as a Tool of Environmental Governance in Ukraine”
Interviewed 56 environmental auditors during 10-month field work in Ukraine in 2014
Analyzed and synthesized documents on the topic of climate change adaptation in both English and Russian from over 10 countries (Eastern Europe (Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian Federation) and Caucasian region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)) and then compiled a research into a report on climate change adaptation projects.
Organized conferences and workshops on sustainable development topics; Facilitated online course on "Water Management"; Supported coordination of Project "Biogas Production in Belarus and Sweden - Exchanges of Experiences"
Developed youth programs for children effected by the Chernobyl disaster. Organized several workshops
Coordinated a network of eco-clubs in Ukraine. Organized team-building workshops, Re-Art workshops, Earth Days, Water Days and Earth Hour events in Kyiv. Maintained organization websites (http://ecoclubua.com/)
A supervisor is one of the most important persons in your PhD journey as it is a mentor, who is supposed to lead and guide you through all years of your study and provide knowledge and emotional support. It is necessary to choose a good one at the beginning as you will be closely working with this person next 4-5 years. You need to have a good connection and be on the same page with this person.
Universities usually provide lots of opportunities for PhD students and it’s your job to grab as many as possible. You need to pursue your academic career very efficiently and use all opportunities. However, you should keep in mind that whatever you do it should all be beneficial for your PhD study and all your activities should help to build one big PhD puzzle.
Quite often PhD researchers overcomplicate their studies as they are attempt to ‘save the world with their research’. As a result, it takes some years for them to complete PhD degree or not to finish at all. It is important to be realistic and remember that the purpose of PhD is to become an ‘independent researcher’ and not to change the whole world.
Twitter: @Anna_Ruban
Kyiv, Ukraine