Armand Prosper Obame Ondo

Armand Obame is a project consultant. His role in this project includes working on data analysis of forest products, including the exports of Chinese companies in Gabon. In addition, Armand has liaised with project personnel to government and other institutions in Gabon. Armand currently is a Deputy Secretarial General of Ministry of Water and Forest in Gabon of which he largely is responsible for developing projects, strategies, laws and document analysis in forestry. Armand has a forestry background and obtained his master's in forest management at the University Laval, Quebec in Canada.'

Benjamin is a project intern. Benjamin's role in this project includes conducting research on timber value chain in Zambia. Currently, he is working on a master's degree on Sustainable Development at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.'

Christian Mvogo is a PhD intern. His role in the project includes conducting research on environmental impact assessment of logging at the community level, in order to understand community perceptions on the impact of investment on forest in Gabon. Christian studied forestry and plant biotechnology, of which he obtained his master's degree from the University of Yaoundé 1 in Cameroon. He is currently a PhD candidate in Department of Biology and Plant Psychology, with the same university.'

Ioannis is a project intern. His role in this project includes carrying out media analysis in Cameroon relating to China's trade and investment forest. Ioannis is currently working on a master's degree in Sustainable Development at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and has an interest in national economies, policy analysis concerning the promotion of sustainable practices in developing countries, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for local communities.'

Lingfei Weng

Lingfei is a PhD intern. Her role in the project includes carrying out assessment of social effects and perceptions of forest-related environmental impact, and evaluate the business model of both Chinese and non-Chinese small-scale mining operations in Cameroon. Lingfei holds a master's on Turf Science from Beijing Forestry University, Beijing oin China and currently is a PhD candidate on Environmental Science at James cook University, Cairns in Australia.'

Marie Luce is a PhD intern. Her role in this project includes collaborating with both CIFOR and ICRAF research team by researching timber value chain and socioeconomic assessment of the impact of China's trade and investment on forests to local livelihoods in Gabon. Marie has a development economics background and has obtained master's at the Paris Institute of Political Studies Science Po Paris. Currently, she is a PhD candidate for Sorbonne University Paris 1 in France.'

Mercy is a project consultant. Her role in the project includes working on timber value chain, socioeconomic assessment of impact of China's trade, and investment on forests to local livelihoods in Zambia. Currently, Mercy is a staff member for the provincial forestry officer at the Forestry department in the Luksaka province, wherein she has held various positions since 1997. Mercy has experience in forestry and has obtained her post-graduate diploma in Integrated Water Resources Management from the University of Zambia.'

Philippe is a PhD intern. His role in this project includes conducting socioeconomic assessment of the impact of China's trade and investment on forest to local livelihoods in Zambia. Philippe has a background in Economic and Political Science from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburd in South Africa and holds master's in Development Studies from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in South Africa. Currently, Philippe is a PhD candidate from Stellenbosch University in South Africa and focusing his research on the role and effects of Chinese state-owned agricultural enterprises in Africa. In addition, Philippe is affiliated with the Center of Chinese Studies, at the same university.'

Sigrid Ekman is a project consultant. Her role in this project includes conducting research on timber supply chain in Mozambique. Sigrid has extensive international experience, particularly relating to China and Africa. She studied Chinese Economy and obtained her master's in Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Her research focus was on Agriculture, Sino-African relations and China's political economy. In relation to her research in Mozambique, Sigrid, in collaboration with Deborah Brautigam, wrote articles entitled "Briefing rumours and realities of Chinese agricultural engagement in Mozambique" which has been published on African Affairs in July 2012.'