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Biography
Victoria H. Moshy holds a PhD in Environment and Development from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), with an academic background in Geography and Environmental Studies. She is a dedicated expert in the social dimensions of environmental management, climate change, and sustainable development, with over 17 years of experience in research and community engagement. Her work focuses on human-environment interactions, with a particular emphasis on the social aspects of social-ecological resilience, livelihoods, gender dynamics in natural resource management, and climate change adaptation. Central to her research is the concept of livelihood resilience in marginalized communities—especially coastal and agro-pastoral populations—within the context of changing social, ecological, and climatic conditions.
She has a strong interest in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), particularly its gendered dimensions and its role in shaping community responses to environmental and social changes. TEK, as practiced and lived by men and women in marginal areas, serves as a critical lens for understanding adaptive strategies and enhancing social-ecological resilience. In addition to her academic contributions, she has been at the forefront of research-led sustainable community development partnership initiatives, including participatory community needs assessments, livelihood assessments, and resilience evaluations. She has extensive experience in leading international field-based education abroad programs, which play a crucial role in fostering global citizenship by immersing students in diverse cultures and promoting intercultural understanding, skills development and professional growth. Over the years, she has been working in close partnership with Local Government Authorities and communities, both nationally and internationally, through multi-stakeholder collaboration and long-term partnership programs for sustainable development.
Research Interest
Livelihood resilience, gendered aspects of climate change and natural resource management, traditional ecological knowledge, and sustainable community development.
Contacts
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Projects
Climate Change, Energy Sustainability: Transformation and Governance) CENSU: This is a project that aims to foster competence and capacity – within both education and research – on the sustainability implications of gas extraction and governance in the context of vulnerable communities and climate change. In Tanzania, the project is implemented in Mtwara and Lindi regions. The project brings together the University of Dar es Salaam, OsloMet (Norway), State University of Zanzibar (Tanzania), Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique) and Universidade Lurio (Mozambique).
The Role of Rural-Urban Linkages for Enhanced Climate Resilience in Rural Tanzania (RUL4CLI): The project focuses on how connections between rural and urban areas with different rainfall regimes in Tanzania can improve the climate resilience of rural communities. This project is a collaboration between the University of Dar es Salaam's Center for Climate Change Studies and the University of Copenhagen. It aims to understand the impact of small towns and urban centers on rural adaptation to climate change and to inform effective climate change policies.
Fisheries, Nutrition, Livelihoods, Gender and Rights in Tanzania (SAMAKI): This is a research and capacity building initiative that aims to improve fisheries governance and promote sustainable livelihoods in Tanzania's coastal communities. It emphasizes a holistic, interdisciplinary approach, integrating fisheries, nutrition, livelihoods, gender, and rights to enhance coastal ecosystem integrity and food security among fisheries dependent communities along the Coast of Tanzania.
The Sustainable Community Development in Tanzania (SCDT-SSC490) Education Abroad Program: Each year, the program offers a six-week golden opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about sustainable development through research-based hands-on practice in Monduli District, in Arusha - Tanzania. SCDT brings together students and faculty from four institutions, including Michigan State University (MSU), the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dar es Salaam College of Education (DUCE), and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).
Tanzania Partnership Program (TPP): This is a long-term partnership program for sustainable community development in Tanzania. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to co-create a model of sustainable community development, build resilient communities and academic connections among partnering institutions in Tanzanian and American academic institutions, scholars, development practitioners, district and municipal councils and the local communities in Naitolia and Milola villages in Arusha and Lindi regions, respectively.
A Partnership for Marine and Coastal Governance and Fisheries Management for Sustainable Blue Growth (SWIOFC-NC PP). The project was conducted in Mkinga District, as a partnership between the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and the Nairobi Convention, and jointly implemented by FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Environment Division at the Vice President’s Office in Tanzania. The project aimed to demonstrate how a joint approach to fisheries and environmental management can enhance sustainable livelihoods for communities that rely on fisheries and other coastal resources.
Publications
Moshy, V. H., Yanda, P. Z., Gwambene, B., & Mwajombe, A. (2025). The impact of natural gas development on the resilience of coastal social-ecological systems amid climate change in Mtwara, Tanzania. Marine Policy, 181, 106855.
Yanda, P. Z., Moshy, V. H., Gwambene, B., Mwajombe, A. R., & Kamoyo, S. (2024). How do institutional frameworks influence socio-ecological systems? The case of natural gas development in Mtwara region, Tanzania. The Extractive Industries and Society, 19, 101473.
Ndaki, P. M., Erick, F., & Moshy, V. (2021). Challenges Posed by Climate Change and Non-Climate Factors on Conservation of Edible Orchid in Southern Highlands of Tanzania: The Case of Makete District. Journal of Global Ecology and Environment, 13(4), 144-167.
Gasper Mung’ong’o, C., & Moshy, V. H. (2019). Poverty Levels and Vulnerability to Climate Change of Inshore Fisher- Mangrove-Dependent Communities of the Rufiji Delta, Tanzania. In Climate Change and Coastal Resources in Tanzania (pp. 69-91). Springer, Cham.
Moshy, V. H. and Bryceson, I. (2016). Seeing through fishers’ lenses: Exploring marine ecological changes within Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania. SAGE Open, (April-June), 1-18.
Moshy, V. H., Bryceson I. and Mwaipopo, R. (2015). Social-ecological changes, livelihoods and resilience among fishing communities in Mafia Island Marine Park. Forum for Development Studies, 42 (3), 529-553.
Moshy, V. H., Masenge, T. J. & Bryceson, I. (2013). Undernutrition among under-five children in two fishing communities in Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania. Journal of Sustainable Development, 6(6), 1-14.
Kizigo, S., Pauline, N. M., & Moshy, V. H. (2023). Local Perceptions on Community Forests Conservation: Lessons from Namtumbo District, Tanzania. Journal of the Geographical Association of Tanzania, 43(1), 91-109.