Prof. Ass. Dr. Bardh L. XËRXA

Assistant Professor of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universum International College, Kosovo, powered by Arizona State University; Environmental Scientist, Climate Policy Expert, Biodiversity Conservation Specialist, and European Integration Practitioner for chapter 27.

Statement of Purpose
Environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and the green transition represent some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing societies today. Throughout my academic, scientific, and professional career, I have worked at the intersection of environmental science, public policy, climate governance, and European integration, promoting evidence-based solutions for sustainable development. My work focuses on strengthening biodiversity conservation, advancing climate action, supporting environmental compliance with European Union standards, and translating scientific knowledge into practical policy instruments. Through research, teaching, project management, and international cooperation, I seek to contribute to a greener, more resilient, and sustainable future for Kosovo, the Western Balkans, and beyond.

Present and Previous Positions
Assistant Professor of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universum International College, Kosovo, 2024–present; Member, IUCN Thematic Group on Biodiversity Conservation (Eastern Europe and Central Asia), 2025–present; Environmental Specialist, World Bank Project SDGSDP (P178162), Digital Kosovo Project, 2025; External Environment and Climate Expert, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Kosovo, 2025–2026; Senior Project Manager, Youth Environmental Impact (YENI) Project, Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo, 2022–2025; External Expert Evaluator, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST); Senior Researcher and Environment/Energy Policy Expert, INDEP Institute, Kosovo, 2020–2021; Certified Reviewer, Elsevier and Science Publishing Group, 2020–present; Senior Officer for European Integration (Environment, Climate and Energy Chapters), Prime Minister’s Office / Ministry of European Integration, Environmental Expert and Contributor, Kosovo Red Book of Fauna Project (SIDA), 2017–2018; Ecologist and National Consultant, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kosovo, 2010–2012; Freelance Ecologist and Environmental Consultant, 2008–2011.

Degrees
Ph.D. in Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Kosovo, 2020; M.A. in European Public Affairs, Maastricht University, Netherlands, 2013; M.Sc. in Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Kosovo, 2009; B.Sc. in Ecology and Environmental Protection, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Kosovo, 2007.

Selected Publications
“Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Kosovo: Conservation Status, Key Threats, and Management Priorities,” Acta Biologica Slovenica, 2026; “Seasonal Fish Diversity, Distribution and Their Relation to Physicochemical Parameters: A Case Study of the Lepenc River Basin, Kosovo,” Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology, 2025; “Evaluation of Prizren River (Kosovo) Water Quality Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators,” Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 2025; “First Checklist of Mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) from Kosovo,” ZooKeys, 2019; “The Impact of Inhabited Areas on Quality of Streams and Rivers of a High Alpine Municipality in Southern Kosovo,” Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology, 2021; Species Composition, Ecology and Distribution of Mayflies in Kosovo, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Prishtina, 2020.

Other Affiliations and Honors
Member of the IUCN Working Group on Biodiversity Conservation; Member, Ecological Society of America (ESA); Member, British Ecological Society (BES); Member of the Royal Entomological Society (United Kingdom); Member, European Energy Centre (EEC), London; Member, Indiana Water Resources Association (USA); National Expert for the European Mayflies Checklists for Kosovo and Albania; Certified Reviewer for Elsevier scientific journals; ORCID, Scopus and Web of Science Researcher. USAID Transformational Leadership Alumni EU Young Cell Scheme Alumni.

134 Sustainable Regional Development Scientific Journal, Vol III. (1), 2026

Academic Profile by:

Associate Professor Filipos RUXHO
Sustainable Regional Development Scientific Journal - SRDSJ

References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bardh-l-xerxa-phd-ecology-environmental-protection/

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1088-3180