Dr. Joanes Atela possesses an illustrious career spanning over 15 years, characterized by remarkable accomplishments in research and the provision of technical support to African governments in the management of natural resources, climate change resilience, and knowledge management. As the Executive Director of the Africa Research and Impact Network, he excels in developing evidence-based strategies intricately linked to both national and international climate change initiatives.Joanes has held significant roles such as the Director of Partnerships and the Head of the Climate Resilient Programme at the African Centre for Technology Studies. His expertise propelled the institution to global recognition, ranking third globally and leading in Africa, according to the 2016 ICCG rankings. He has also contributed significantly to academia, serving as an Associate at the Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation and as a Research Fellow at prestigious institutions such as ICRAF and the UN University.Joanes' scholarly contributions are extensive, with numerous publications across international journals, books, media outlets, and blogs. His research primarily focuses on resilience, knowledge systems, and international politics, amassing over 1000 citations on Google Scholar. He has played a crucial role in designing and implementing various funded projects, particularly in synthesizing community-based adaptation initiatives globally, thereby supporting the establishment of the Locally Led Adaptation Agenda within the global climate action discourse.In addition to his academic endeavors, Joanes is deeply committed to leveraging science for the benefit of vulnerable local communities. He founded the Grassroot Impact Centre, dedicated to empowering local communities, especially girls, youth, and women, with knowledge on resilience and innovation. Through this initiative, he aims to bridge the gap between research efforts and the practical needs of grassroots communities, promoting sustainable development models.Joanes' expertise is highly sought after on several high-level technical boards. He serves as the Lead Expert in developing the AU Green Innovation Framework, as well as in the development of Kenya's inaugural Innovation Outlook Framework. He also sits as a member of the Strategic Advisory Group for the UK Research and Innovation Fund. His influence extends globally, having served as a Scientific Advisory Panel Member of Stockholm+50 and as an Advisory Committee Member to the Resilience Evidence Forum, among other esteemed advisory roles.