Mr Kasongo Emmanuel Shutsha

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

My current research focuses on assessing the influence of land cover changes such as deforestation on the surface energy budget and climate. I also investigate how this land alteration affects evapotranspiration. Land cover changes cause substantial variation in physical properties of the surface such as evapotranspiration and surface albedo.

Therefore, I seek to assess the bio-geophysical changes caused by land cover alteration and the subsequent effects on the climate system. I use earth system models to model these land-climate dynamics and collect ground-based data from meteorological stations such as FLUXNET towers to evaluate my climate modelling.

Thesis

Improving the Global Energy Budget in Earth System Models to Investigate the Teleconnection of Forest Cover Changes

Teaching

• I took part in the demonstration of the EA2308 - Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis in 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026. This course focuses on the analysis of changes in environmental processes. This analysis is made through Geographical Information Systems such as the Google Earth Engine. I supported the second-year students in developing their coding skills in the Google Earth Engine and their understanding of environmental dynamics.
• I took part in the demonstration of the EA3322 - Global Climate Change in 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026. This module focuses on the analysis of current and future climate changes and their link to past geological periods. I supported the third-year students in understanding past and current research on paleo-analogs.
• I contributed to the demonstration of the EA1309 - Practical Field Session in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. This course helps first-year students better understand the Urban Ecosystem Services and land cover types in Cardiff city center.
• I helped in the demonstration of the EA2317 - Field Exercise in North Cardiff in 2021-2022. This field trip focuses on the analysis of the land cover types and land uses in North Cardiff. I helped guide first-year students across different sites.
• I also demonstrated for the EA2315 - The Ocean and Atmosphere System in 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026, the EA2330 - Grand Challenge Land Degradation in 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026, and the EA3321 - Marine Environmental Systems in 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
• I have also helped since 2021-2022 in other residential fieldwork programs and teaching: EA1300, EA1304, EA1305, EA2307, EA2311, EA2312, EA3321, EAT409, EAT410, and EA4311. 

Biography

Honours and awards

Outstanding Mentor - Lumiere Education - February 2025:

• Recognised as a dedicated and impactful research mentor because of the significant contribution to the research, writing, and communication skills of mentees.

Stephen Farrell Memorial Award 2025 - Cardiff University - July 2025:

• Greatest contribution to the life of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences during the previous academic year (2024-2025). Nominees can be from any part of the community – undergraduates, postgraduates, or members of staff. Any member of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences can vote.

Professional memberships

• FLUXNET Education Working Group (October 2024 to Present): FLUXNET is a grassroots network comprising academic, government, and private sector stakeholders. The educational mission can be advanced through formal and informal educational activities.

• SPROUT PGR Sustainability Collective (May 2024 to Present): Helping postgraduate researchers, those pursuing a Master’s degree, and early career researchers integrate sustainability into their research for greater impact.

• GW4 Connect (May 2023 to Present): Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) programs from GW4 universities to connect postgraduate researchers from diverse backgrounds. 

Supervisors

Mark Cuthbert