She holds a BA Honours in Political Science from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa and a Master’s in International Relations (cum laude) from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. During her time at SAIIA she has worked on various policy topics related to the EU’s strategic engagement with Africa and South Africa, the role of emerging powers in a changing geo-political landscape, climate change, natural resource governance and environmental sustainability. She has written extensively on topics related to the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems, climate change negotiations, and on reconciling growth and development with ecological integrity along Africa’s coastline. Her work focuses on climate resilient development and on improving natural resource governance in African countries and the region broadly. 

Romy has supported numerous regional climate policy processes in Africa, including the revision of SADC’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2030), the development of a new IGAD Adaptation Strategy (2023-2030), as well as the coordination and drafting of the African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032). She has also worked to strengthen national climate processes, such as the revision of Nationally Determined Contributions, through technical support and content input. She has also recently co-authored a technical guide to support African countries in the development of their long-term, low emission, climate-resilient development strategies. Additionally, she works on promoting climate-smart agriculture in Africa and is working with farmer organisations to strengthen their engagement in national and global climate processes.