Monika is a Research Assistant at UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Resources, where she focuses on the socioeconomic and equity dimensions of natural resource governance, particularly mining and critical minerals.
At CCG, Monika has led research on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Zambia, examining its role in contributing to national development. She has also supported projects on gender impact assessment and women’s participation in Zambia’s energy and mining sectors.
Alongside her role at CCG, Monika is pursuing a PhD at the University of Surrey. Her research explores the dual role of ASM in supporting critical mineral supply chains and rural livelihoods in Zambia, employing participatory, decolonised research methods.
Prior to academia, Monika worked in environmental group litigation and, later, social impact consulting for natural resource projects across Africa and Eastern Europe. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Resources: Economics, Policy and Transitions from UCL, a Graduate Diploma in Law, and an MA in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh.
Publications: Kaczmarska, M., Clube, R., Mubanga, F. and Tomei, J. (2025). A policy and practice divide? Zambia’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector and the Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of Rural Studies 120: