Diana Parker, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geographical Sciences, has been awarded a 2016-17 Fulbright Grant for study in Indonesia. Her project is entitled, “Palm Oil Governance in Indonesia: Understanding Sustainable Development Strategies.”

Diana’s research focuses on palm oil, which plays a vital role in Indonesia's economic development. It is a key food source in much of the world but a major driver of deforestation in Indonesia. Parker will examine strategies being used by stakeholders working at the national, provincial and local levels that help the industry’s growth while minimizing deforestation. She has secured an affiliation with Dr. Eko Priyo Purnomo of the Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.

Upon her return to the U.S., Parker plans to complete her dissertation and hopes to continue working on sustainable development issues in Indonesia and other tropical forest countries, either as a professor or policy analyst. Her UMD advisor is Professor Klaus Hubacek.