Abdul Kamara

“I believe that true sustainability lies in respecting the needs and traditions of local communities.”

Abdul Kamara is a professor of environmental studies who was born and raised in Sierra Leone. After studying in the U.K. for a few years, he settled in Berlin where he has been teaching at the University of Applied Sciences for over a decade now. Abdul is an avid collector of vinyl records and enjoys spending his weekends flipping through stacks of jazz and blues records at local record stores. He's also a seasoned cook and often hosts dinner parties for his colleagues and friends, introducing them to his favorite dishes from West Africa.

What inspired you to become an environmental studies professor?

Growing up in Sierra Leone, I saw firsthand how environmental degradation negatively impacted my community. I wanted to find ways to mitigate that, which led me to study environmental science and eventually pursue academia.

What's your favorite West African dish to prepare?

Definitely jollof rice. It's a staple in many West African countries and has so much depth of flavor. Plus, it's always a crowd-pleaser at my dinner parties.

What's the most rewarding thing about teaching?

The most rewarding thing for me is seeing my students grow and develop their own perspectives on complex issues. It's great knowing that I had a small part in shaping their academic and personal journeys.