Dr. Jules Bayala is a Principal Scientist with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). He holds a Ph.D. in Ecophysiology and Agroforestry from the University of Wales, Bangor, UK. Before joining ICRAF in 2009, he had worked for 17 years at the national Research System at Institut de l’Environnement et Recherches Agricoles (INERA) of Burkina Faso, his home country. He was head of the Forestry Department of INERA for one year before leaving. He is based in Burkina Faso and his work involves establishing key directions for agroforestry research and development program in the Sahel.

His research focus is on the soil-plant-water continuum in West and Central Africa, on the physiology of agroforestry species in the face of changing climate, on supporting the development of climate information advisory services and on using the climate information in developing climate smart agriculture options for enhanced resilience of the people and their environment. He has co-authored over 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has proven experience of collaborative work with international academic institutions, NGOs and donor agencies. He is an Associate Editor and Reviewer of several scientific journals.