Sian Oosthuizen is a social scientist with a Master of Science degree in Geography and a Bachelor of Social Science Honours (cum laude) in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (PMB). Sian has six years of working experience in the fields of adaptation and resilience building, integrated environmental management, risk and vulnerability assessment, strategic planning, impact assessment, and local economic and livelihood development. She has a particular interest in the development and application of innovative engagement, consultation, and capacity development techniques, which she has applied in a wide range of projects.  Sian has been involved in a wide range of projects across South Africa and Lesotho, but has also gained experience in Uganda, Tunisia and Kenya.

Sian is an active member of the South African Affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIAsa), having sat on both the Kwa-Zulu Natal provincial and student committees, as well as attended and presented at several national and an international (IAIA18) conferences. She has also attended and presented at other international events such as the 9th Community-Based Adaption Conference (CBA9) in Kenya, the 2016 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22) in Morocco, and the East Africa Adaptation Academy (EAAA) in Kenya.