Ingrid Arotoma Rojas

Profile

I am a first year Post Graduate Researcher at the University of Leeds studying climate change impacts in indigenous health in Peru. I studied my Masters degree at University of Melbourne (Australia) in Development Studies, and my undergraduate studies in Sociology at PUCP in Peru. I have worked in Peru for six years in private and public sectors doing fieldwork in Andean and Amazonian indigenous communities impacted by extractive industries. Perhaps my life-changing work experience was in 2015, when I worked for the public company Perupetro, conducting the first prior consultations on hydrocarbon activities with Amazonian indigenous peoples in Peru. I had the opportunity to visit and establish a dialogue with the Urarinas, Achuar, Quichuas and Matsigenkas indigenous peoples. In many cases, it was the first time they met a government representative. We managed to collect primary information that served as a source for the official database of indigenous peoples in Peru. After that experience, I am convinced that my vocation and passion is to work with Amazonian indigenous peoples, co-producing knowledge about adaptation to the consequences of neoliberalism and climate change in their livelihoods.

Research interests

Inspried in large part by my past work visiting indigenous communities in Peru, the topic of my PhD is concerned with how climate change is impacting indigenous health (i.e. nutrition) in the Shawi population in Peru. This research is part of the Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change, a multinational interdisciplinary research project.

Qualifications

• MA, Development Studies - University of Melbourne (Australia)
• BA, Sociology - PUCP (Peru)

Research groups and institutes

• Environment and Development
• Climate Change Adaptation, Vulnerability and Services
• Sustainability Research Institute