Professor Dr. Charlotte Wendelboe Nelson

Biography

Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson is a Research Associate at the OPENspace Research Centre, part of the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Her research focuses on public participation and community engagement, particularly the involvement of underrepresented voices in democratic processes. Charlotte collaborates with structurally disadvantaged communities using co-design approaches, developing a community researcher model that enhances the relationships between academia, communities, and policymakers. Her work spans environmental health, nature-based health interventions, and knowledge exchange in research and policy. Charlotte has experience in facilitating participatory processes with diverse groups including refugees, asylum seekers, and residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods. Educated at the University of Copenhagen and Heriot-Watt University, she completed her PhD in plant breeding sustainability. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she served as Course Organiser for the Landscape Wellbeing MSc programme in Edinburgh. Charlotte has previously worked as a nutritionist and team leader at the Danish National Health Service, and has led strategic partnerships as part of the GroundsWell Research Consortium and the UKPRP-funded SPECTRUM Consortium. Her work has influenced the implementation of policies such as Edinburgh's sustainable landscape strategy.

Research Interests