Current activities

My research deals with the intersection of technical and social dimensions of marine science and marine management. I am especially interested in developing techniques that better address societal values, risk and uncertainty, and frailties in expert opinion. Recent applications include integrated monitoring, resource allocation and strategic response to Crown-of-Thorns Starfish.

The primary motivation for my work is impact on policy and management.  In collaboration with Parks Australia, I have developed protocols for efficient and effective allocation of finite conservation resources, and made these protocols operational through direct involvement of parks personnel.  I have lead adoption of techniques in structured decision-making and risk assessment in a range of settings within the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture, as well as numerous state-based agencies.  These settings have included strategic assessments, allocation of monitoring and management resources on the Great Barrier Reef, compliance and enforcement monitoring, biosecurity and the prioritisation of actions for threatened species and communities.

Background

Academic qualifications

Membership of key national committees

Member, National Environmental Science Programme Marine Biodiversity Hub Research Leaders Team

AIMS profile