Mariamu Laiser is an MA candidate and Junior Researcher at the University Of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, specialising in cultural heritage management and archaeology. Her academic work focuses on community-led practices in the management and conservation of cultural landscapes, with particular emphasis on traditional knowledge systems, indigenous governance, and sustainable heritage protection. Her current research under the CODESRIA/AFRIAK programme examines traditional medicine practices in Northern Tanzania, with emphasis on documenting medicinal plants, treatment methods and cultural contexts, exploring strategies for sustainable use, and analysing policies for integrating traditional medicine into Tanzania’s healthcare system.

She is actively involved in the Lake Victoria Archaeology and Heritage Project (LAHP), working with Tanzanian archaeologists and University students. Through this project, she has participated in community awareness workshops and outreach programs aimed at strengthening local involvement in heritage management. Her field experience includes archaeological research in the Lake Victoria Basin, documenting cultural sequences ranging from the Late Stone Age to the Iron Age in Musoma, Mara Region.

Mariamu was recently selected for the first cohort of the Africa World Heritage Youth Initiative (AWHYI), recognising her commitment to youth engagement and heritage advocacy in Africa. As an AFRIAK Fellow, she seeks to strengthen her research capacity, expand professional networks, contribute to inclusive, community-responsive knowledge systems in Africa