Vlad Măcicășan

Dr. Vlad Măcicășan is a PhD Lecturer at the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, BabeÈ™-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, and a postdoctoral researcher within SESCARNIVORE. His expertise spans environmental management, Natura 2000 governance, and participatory approaches to conservation and land use planning. His interdisciplinary academic work integrates perspectives on traditional cultural landscapes, ecosystem services, and the human dimensions of environmental change, bridging natural and social sciences. Within SESCARNIVORE, he contributes to the social-ecological framing of human-carnivore coexistence by applying participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) and participatory mapping methods to explore local perceptions, landscape values, and governance dynamics. Vlad supports field-based stakeholder engagement and co-creation processes, drawing on his extensive experience in community-based projects and science communication. His broader research examines the intersections between protected area management, sustainability education, and collaborative learning, advancing understanding of how communities can work toward harmonious human-nature coexistence.