Lionel Bisimwa Matabaro is a PhD student at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Mons (Belgium). He holds a Master’s degree in biodiversity management and forest management, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in regional development planning. He is also a researcher at the Angaza Institute, based at ISDR Bukavu (DRC). His research focuses on forest resource governance, with a particular interest in the relationship between local communities and protected areas. He has extensive experience in field research in both rural and urban settings, notably in South Kivu, North Kivu, Tshopo and Bas-Uélé in the DRC.