Ms. Fanny Téoule | Urban planning | Young Scientist Award

Jagiellonian University | Poland

Fanny Téoule is an urban researcher with a passion for exploring the intersections of ecology, community, and urban planning. Her work focuses on how grassroots initiatives and community-led greening projects contribute to more inclusive and sustainable cities. She has developed expertise in political ecology, urban geography, and participatory research through immersive fieldwork in diverse European contexts. Fanny’s academic journey reflects a deep engagement with interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches, bringing together anthropology, geography, and planning studies. She co-founded an international platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration on urban nature, which has grown into a dynamic network connecting researchers, practitioners, and community leaders. Alongside her research, Fanny is an experienced educator and facilitator, designing and leading workshops, seminars, and public engagement initiatives that bridge academia and practice. Her approach to scholarship is grounded in a belief that cities can be reimagined through shared stewardship, creative experimentation, and collective ecological responsibility.

Profile

Scopus

Education 

Fanny Téoule’s education reflects a strong commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry and cross-cultural perspectives. She is completing a joint doctoral degree in urban studies through a collaboration between a leading Polish university and a Belgian institution, where her research investigates the role of community gardens as infrastructures of care and commons. Her earlier academic training includes a master’s degree in urban studies, where she examined ecological transitions through the lens of biodiversity and urban wastelands, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, which shaped her approach to understanding cultural and social dynamics in urban environments. She has complemented her formal studies with numerous workshops, summer schools, and specialized training in participatory research, qualitative methods, and geospatial analysis. This diverse educational background has enabled her to bridge theory and practice, working across disciplines to address complex socio-ecological challenges. Fanny’s studies demonstrate her ability to navigate international academic environments and contribute to innovative, globally relevant research.

Experience 

Fanny Téoule has extensive experience as a researcher, educator, and community organizer, with a focus on urban sustainability and participatory approaches. Her professional and academic work spans research positions at renowned European institutions, where she has been involved in projects on urban planning, transport diplomacy, and ecological transitions. She has also taught undergraduate courses on economic geography, revitalization, and climate change, developing a teaching style that combines theoretical foundations with insights from immersive fieldwork. Beyond academia, Fanny has worked with non-governmental organizations and grassroots initiatives, engaging in environmental impact assessments, community development, and cultural programming. She has facilitated workshops and co-design processes for urban green spaces, fostering dialogue between institutions and local communities. Her experience is deeply international, with collaborations and fieldwork across multiple European cities. Through these roles, Fanny has built a unique ability to integrate research, teaching, and action, demonstrating a commitment to meaningful, place-based urban transformation.

Awards and Honors

Fanny Téoule has received recognition for her research and leadership through a range of grants and fellowships supporting fieldwork, international collaboration, and community-based initiatives. Her doctoral work has been supported by competitive funding programs that emphasize innovation, societal impact, and engagement with urban sustainability challenges. She has been invited to present her research at prominent conferences across Europe, reflecting the scholarly value and relevance of her contributions. Her initiative in organizing academic and public events, including international conferences and workshops, has positioned her as a catalyst for collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and community groups. As a co-founder of a global platform promoting urban greening and ecological co-creation, Fanny has demonstrated exceptional leadership and outreach skills, creating opportunities for early-career researchers and practitioners to engage in meaningful dialogue. These achievements highlight her ability to combine rigorous scholarship with practical impact, establishing her as a respected voice in urban studies and sustainability.

Research Focus 

Fanny Téoule’s research explores how community-led greening initiatives transform urban environments, emphasizing the ecological, cultural, and social dimensions of cities in transition. Her work combines political ecology, planning theory, and human geography, focusing on community gardens as experimental commons and infrastructures of care. Through immersive ethnographic fieldwork, participatory mapping, and co-design workshops, she examines how urban nature is co-created and sustained within shifting governance and ecological systems. Fanny’s approach bridges academic research with applied practice, supporting grassroots initiatives and informing policy through action-oriented methodologies. She is particularly interested in ecological repair and the ways cities can be reimagined through maintenance, adaptation, and collaborative stewardship. Her vision is grounded in interdisciplinarity, drawing from environmental humanities, urban anthropology, and spatial planning to create more inclusive and resilient urban futures. This research agenda reflects a deep commitment to co-production of knowledge, prioritizing local perspectives while addressing global challenges in sustainability and urban resilience.

Publication

Title: (Re)greening transition of academic green spaces as a response to social and environmental challenges: The role of bottom-up initiatives
Year: 2025

Conclusion

Fanny Téoule is a highly suitable candidate for the Young Scientist Award. Her combination of innovative, participatory urban research, strong academic contributions, societal engagement, and leadership in global knowledge exchange demonstrates remarkable potential to shape sustainable urban futures. With continued scholarly output and broader international collaborations, she is well-positioned to become a leading voice in urban sustainability and socio-ecological transitions research.