Tom Ratsakatika
AI & Sustainable Development | Research • Strategy • Implementation
I am a Machine Learning and Remote Sensing Researcher at the University of Cambridge with 14 years of experience applying technical, strategic and implementation expertise to global challenges.
From 2013 to 2023, I was an Economic Development Adviser with the British Diplomatic Service, leading on private sector development, investment and climate change policy. I managed multidisciplinary teams during postings in three countries and secured over £85m for programme implementation. My work included:
- Designing a £35m programme to catalyse agribusiness and forest carbon investments in Tanzania.
- Managing a £35m programme to deploy 100 solar mini-grids in villages across Sierra Leone.
- Overseeing a £70m portfolio of market development and infrastructure programmes to enhance livelihoods in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
My current research investigates machine learning and remote sensing techniques to detect and conserve biodiverse old-growth forests. I am a PhD candidate and hold Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering for Sustainable Development and Environmental Data Science.