Laura Quadros Aniche joined the IHS in 2016 as a Master’s student. Over the years, she held several roles at the institute, including lecturer, researcher and project coordinator. Nearly a decade later, her time with IHS is coming to an end. Read about Laura's inspiring journey below.
From the classroom to the heart of climate action
In 2016, Laura decided to change her career direction. After more than ten years leading urban development projects in São Paulo, where she helped shape everything from residential neighbourhoods to commercial towers, she transitioned out of real estate and construction. Her growing interest in sustainable urban development led her to the Netherlands, where she joined the MSc in Urban Management and Development, where she specialised in Urban Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change specialisation.
What began as a one-year academic pursuit, soon grew into something much more. After graduating cum laude, she joined the institute’s academic team, starthing a new chapter focused on teaching, research, and international collaboration. Over the course of nine years, she contributed to a wide range of projects addressing complex urban and environmental challenges around the world. She has taught and supervised students in the programme, participated in global research initiatives, and helped design capacity-building programmes for public institutions around the world.
A career built on curiosity and purpose
Among several interesting projects during the course of her work at IHS, Laura joined the research and innovation project Smart Control of the Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities (SCORE), funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020. She was involved from the grant acquisition phase through to its completion five years later. SCORE offered the perfect opportunity for Laura to pursue her PhD, as it is closely aligned with her research interests and values. It was a chance to deepen her expertise, contribute meaningfully to climate resilience, and begin a new academic chapter. Together with her team members, Elena Marie Enseñado and Charmae Pyl Wissink-Nercua, she explored how Coastal City Living Labs could support the co-creation, integration and implementation of nature-based solutions to strengthen climate resilience in urban environments.
The project brought together ten coastal cities across seven European countries to pilot integrated, ecosystem-based approaches and smart technologies. Running from July 2021 to June 2025, the project addresses shared challenges such as sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. By combining environmental science, digital tools, and participatory methods, SCORE supported urban climate adaptation. Laura’s research focused on how Coastal City Living Labs can drive transformative change through this approach.
Making an impact, together
What made the SCORE project even more unique is the team that helped bring it to life. Laura and her colleagues at IHS were leading the design, implementation, and evaluation of these Coastal City Living Labs. These labs brought together local governments, citizens, scientists, and innovators to test solutions in real-world conditions. Laura helped facilitate workshops, tailored frameworks to city-specific contexts and guided research that underpins climate resilience strategies.
“Getting awarded SCORE was a special moment. We were a young, all-women team, and this was a great way to make impact together”
Laura Quadros Aniche
Turning knowledge into global impact
Laura’s expertise centres on nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, urban living labs, ecosystem services, and participatory governance. Her work connects IHS with governments, academic institutions, and civil society groups worldwide.
Her contributions included delivering tailor made training programmes to ministries and public agencies focused on circular economy, climate resilience, and sustainable planning, to supporting integrated water governance and sustainable urban renewal through knowledge to knowledge partnerships in Chinese cities. Laura’s story is one of continuous evolution. From project manager to student, from lecturer to researcher, she has consistently embraced new roles with curiosity and purpose.
“What I always loved the most about IHS was the people. Working here gave me the opportunity to interact with a wide range of stakeholders, from passionate students to government officials, engaged citizens, and renowned sacademics, discussing urban issues with its particularities and commonalities across cities” Laura reflects.
Closing one chapter, opening another
Nearly a decade since her arrival, Laura continues to shape the future of sustainable urban development. While her time at IHS is now ending, her journey is far from over. Laura is excited to return to her home country, Brazil, where she plans to continue working on sustainable urban development, participatory governance and innovation.
“We will stay in touch, and I am sure we will continue our partnership through many projects to come. Thank you, all IHS colleagues, partners, and students, for such an amazing decade together!” Laura adds.
