Dr. Kalterina Shulla
Dr Kalterina Shulla holds a PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany, where her doctoral research focused on the role of multi-stakeholder networks in the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her academic work explores how global, regional, and institutional actors can collaborate effectively to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Overview
Dr Kalterina Shulla holds a PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany, where her doctoral research focused on the role of multi-stakeholder networks in the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her academic work explores how global, regional, and institutional actors can collaborate effectively to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In 2023, Dr Shulla authored a study for the European Parliament examining the institution’s role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This work served as a preparatory study for the EU’s First Voluntary Review. Her scholarly publications address a wide range of sustainability-related issues, with particular emphasis on the contribution of universities to policy development and implementation for sustainable development at multiple governance levels.
Currently, she is co-editing a topical collection with Cambridge University Press on Science Diplomacy and Sustainability and serves as Guest Editor for a Springer Nature special issue on Sustainability and Co-creation: Learning Interactions between Education and Business Sectors.
Dr Shulla’s research and professional activities bridge science diplomacy, sustainability policy, and education for sustainable development. Her work contributes to understanding how higher education institutions can act as catalysts for sustainable transformation, policy innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
She also serves as Chair of the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Middle Albania, acknowledged by the United Nations University in Japan, recognising her leadership in promoting education and research for sustainable development within the region.
Dr Shulla regularly participates in international conferences and expert panels, engaging with policymakers, academics, and practitioners to strengthen global cooperation for sustainability.
Areas of expertise
- Sustainability
- Science diplomacy
- Education for sustainable development
- Global policy frameworks
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Sustainability in the business sector
Awards and Honours
Chair, RCE Middle Albania, acknowledged by the United Nations University, Japan
Research interests
- Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare and Biomedical Applications
- Deep Learning and Computer Vision for Medical and Environmental Data
- Multimodal Machine Learning and Sensor Fusion
- AI for Biodiversity Informatics and Ecological Monitoring
- Human–Computer Interaction and Assistive Robotics
- Conversational AI and Intelligent Chatbot Systems
Publications
- Shulla, K., Voigt, B.F., Lardjane, S. et al. (2024). People–environment relations following COVID-19 pandemic lifestyle restrictions: a multinational, explorative analysis of intended biophilic design changes. Discover Sustainability, 5, 229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00423-y
- Shulla, K., Leal W. (2023). Achieving the UN Agenda 2030: Overall actions for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals before and after the 2030 deadline. European Parliament. Link
- Shulla, K., Voigt, B.F., Cibian, S. et al. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discover Sustainability, 2, 15.
- Shulla, K. et al. (2019). The contribution of Regional Centres of Expertise to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117809
- Shulla, K. et al. (2020). Sustainable development education in the context of the 2030 Agenda. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1721378
Additional co-authored works available on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/
Reports, Studies, and Policy Papers
- Science Diplomacy for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions in Europe – Policy Brief, Profeedback
- Can the Summit of the Future Support Sustainability Science Diplomats? – SDG Knowledge Hub (IISD)
- Sustainable Urban Development Assessment (SUDA) – Summary Report | GPSC
- SDG Progress Report | Habitat for Humanity International
Conferences, Talks, and Speaking Engagements
- Panellist, European Parliament DEVE Committee Meeting, Brussels (6 February 2023)
- Keynote Speaker, Erasmus+ Lebanon 2025, “Reimagining Higher Education through SDG 4”
- Keynote Speaker, Erasmus+ Kyrgyzstan, “Global Frameworks for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions and Green Campuses”
- Panellist, UN DESA Expert Group Meeting, “Accelerating Global Actions for a World without Poverty” (2021)
- Panellist, Habitat for Humanity International Webinar (2021): “SDG Implementation in Africa – Investment in Housing and Urban Renewal.”
Technical Skills
• Programming Languages: Python, C++, Java, JavaScript
• AI and Machine Learning: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, CUDA for GPU-accelerated computing
• High-Performance Computing (HPC): Expertise in parallelising deep learning model training using HPC clusters
• Cloud Computing: Experienced with Google Cloud Platform, AWS, and IBM Cloud for deploying scalable AI solutions
