Gutiérrez, Ofelia

Research interests

Her research focuses on understanding environmental issues in the context of Global Change, with particular emphasis on two of its components: land use change and climate change. Her work explores interdisciplinarity and uses spatial analysis through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and her main research interests include: i) Coastal dynamics (environmental history, evolution and trends); ii) Impact of land use change as a driver of change; and iii) Renewable natural resources analysed in the framework of Global Change.

Working area

Ofelia Gutiérrez holds a PhD in Environmental Technology and Water Management, and a DEA (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in Conservation and Management of the Natural Environment, both awarded by the International University of Andalusia, Spain. She also holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Sciences, both awarded by the University of the Republic in Uruguay.
She is currently an Assistant Professor with full-time dedication at UNCIEP, the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IECA), Faculty of Science, Udelar.

She has served as Coordinator of the Geosciences Area of the Basic Sciences Development Programme (PEDECIBA) for a third consecutive term (2022–2024, 2024–2026, and the current 2026–2028 term), having previously served as Alternate Coordinator between 2020 and 2022. Since 2022, she has represented the Geosciences Area on the PEDECIBA Executive Committee.
She is a Level I member of the National Research System (ANII) and is classified in Category 3 (the highest level) of the Postgraduate College of the Faculty of Agronomy. In addition, she is a member of the Study Commission of the Specialist Programme (PECA) within the Postgraduate Programme in Environmental Sciences at the Faculty of Science.
Her involvement in university governance has been extensive at both faculty and university level. Among other positions, she has served as a teaching representative on the University Senate (CDC). She has also been a member of central committees such as the CPP (Budgetary and Programme Commission) and the CAPPA (Advisory Permanent Commission on Architectural Plans and Projects). She is currently a member of the Executive Committee of IECA (Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences), Faculty of Science.
In the university trade-union sphere, she has served as President of ADUR Ciencias and as Secretary for University Affairs in ADUR Central, among many other roles.
She has been part of CLACSO Working Groups, including “Climate Justice and Environmental Governance” (2016–2019), “Global Environmental Change/Social Metabolism” (2019–2022), and “Social Metabolism/Environmental Justice” (2023–2025). She was also appointed as a visiting researcher for the “Engov Project on Environmental Governance” at the Gino Germani Institute of Research (IIGG), Argentina.