Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am an environmental social scientist, with expertise in interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research that cross-cut development issues around marine and coastal resource management and governance, climate change, hazards and risk. I specialise in understanding multi-level perceptions, knowledge and incentives and the associated implications for environmental decision-making and governance.
I have applied my research focus and made important contributions to international and UK-based research on governance of coastal and marine resources and food security, and cultural and heritage risk from environmental hazards. My work combines ecological, social and economic perspectives, quantitative and qualitative approaches, and I have undertaken extensive field-based research in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, and the UK.
In 2022 I was appointed as the University’s new joint Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (APVC) Civic. The ambitions for this role are to run a democratic rather than bureaucratic programme, using genuine grassroots engagement to support strategic and relational civic activities between the university, the city of Norwich and the East Anglia region.
My long-standing work in engagement, impact and outreach from UEA is evidenced by work at the science-policy interface, with Cefas and CCSUS, and as Marine Knowledge Exchange Network (MKEN) Director of Social-Ecological Interactions; and as Co-Lead for the Building Up Resilience Tyndall Research Theme. I am also a member of the Global Environmental Justice Research Group and Water Security Research Centre at UEA.
Key Research Interests
Environmental governance and decision-making; perceptions, knowledge and incentives; marine and coastal management; fisheries and sustainable livelihoods; climate and natural hazard risks on small islands; Civic University role and process
Past research projects
- Future proofing Caribbean fisheries from hurricane impacts: linking fisheries resilience and diaster risk management in Dominica (GCRF funded, 2019 - 2021)
- Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme (Blue Ltd Consultancy) Maritime Economy Plans for 17 Commonwealth Countries (FCO funded, 2018 - 2020)
- Feasibility of afforestation and biomass energy with carbon capture storage for greenhouse gas removal (NERC-EPSRC-ESRC funded, 2017 - 2021)
- Historical trajectories of risk, exposure, governance and tenure to build resilience to multiple hazards in Small Island Developing States (GCRF funded, 2016 - 2018)
- Innovations in Climate Governance (INOGOV) (EU/COST funded, 2014 - 2018)
- Services and Opportunities from the marine environment (ESRC Impact Accelerator Award, 2015-2017)
- Future of Reefs in a Changing Environment (FORCE) (EU FP7 funded, 2010-2014)
- Understanding and addressing the impacts of threats to marine ecosystems in the UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean (DEFRA funded, 2013-2014)
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Fellowship on UK coastal management (ESRC funded, 2009)
- PhD research (Anguilla and University of East Anglia) on vulnerability of tourism dependent Caribbean islands to climate change (ESRC/NERC funded, 2006-2010)
Academic Background
PhD (University of East Anglia); MRes (University of York); BSc (University of Leeds)
Research Group or Lab Membership
Research, policy and industry networks
Tyndall Centre; Global Environmental Justice Research Group; Water Security Research Centre; INOGOV; Climatic Research Unit; CEFAS; CCSUS; Marine Knowledge Exchange Network (MKEN); Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology; Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
Professional memberships
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; Director of Social-Ecological Interactions for the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network, and Theme Leader for 'Building Up Resilience' (Tyndall Centre).
Teaching Interests
I convene and teach on the DEV Masters module, DEV-7022B Tools and Skills for Environment and Development.
I teach on DEV-7042A Climate Change and Development 1: Science, Impacts and Adaptation (PG); DEV-4004B Natural Resources and Development: Principles and Concepts (UG); and DEV-5012A Natural Resouces and Development 2 (UG).
I supervise undergraduate and masters projects on a range of topics relating to marine and coastal resources, fisheries management and governance, and climate change vulnerability and adaptation.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, University of East Anglia
Award Date: 1 Jan 2010
Master of Research, University of York
Award Date: 1 Jan 2005
Bachelor of Science, University of Leeds
Award Date: 1 Jan 2003
Keywords
- Environmental Sciences
- Social science
- Marine and coastal governance
- Climate change
- Hazards and risk
- Community perceptions
- Sustainable fisheries
- Natural resources
- Environmental management
Network
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MARine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning leading to Ecosystem Services
Forster, J., Ferrini, S., Nicholls, R., Nolte, S. & Turner, K.
1/09/22 → 31/08/26
Project: Research
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DEV: Delivering maritime economies plans for commonwealth small island developing states
5/11/18 → 30/09/19
Project: Consultancy
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Caribbean hurricane report
Forster, J., Conlon, S., Shelton, C. & White, C.
8/01/18 → 31/07/18
Project: Consultancy
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Countries are relying on forests and soil to absorb their remaining carbon – it’s a risky way to reach net zero
Smith, H., Forster, J. & Vaughan, N., 6 Mar 2023, The Conversation.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
Open Access -
Expanding narratives of governance constraints to improve coral reef conservation
Turner, R. A., Forster, J., Fitzsimmons, C. & Mahon, R., Oct 2022, In: Conservation Biology. 36, 5, e13933.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
Long-term national climate strategies bet on forests and soils to reach net-zero
Smith, H. B., Vaughan, N. E. & Forster, J., 7 Dec 2022, In: Communications Earth & Environment. 3, 305.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)3 Downloads (Pure) -
Prioritising wellbeing and resilience to Build Back Better: insights from a Dominican small-scale fishing community
Forster, J., Shelton, C., White, C. S., Dupeyron, A. & Mizinova, A., Jul 2022, In: Disasters. 46, S1, p. S51-S77 27 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Understanding perceived effectiveness of a novel coastal management project: The case of the Bacton-Walcott sandscaping scheme, UK
Cotton, I., Forster, J., Lorenzoni, I. & Tolhurst, T. J., 26 Oct 2022, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 9, 1028819.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile18 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Chelsea Flower Show Silver Medal
Forster, Johanna (Recipient), 2008
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Winner - UEA Innovation & Impact Awards 2022
Forster, Johanna (Recipient) & Jordan, Andy (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Civic UEA Seder
Johanna Forster (Presenter) & Benjamin Little (Presenter)
12 Apr 2023Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Chaired panel discussion for 'The Sea is a Hungry Dog' - film viewing and Q&A
Johanna Forster (Speaker)
2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Festival/Exhibition/Performance
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Measuring Heritage Loss and Damage from Climate Change for Effective Policy Reporting
Johanna Forster (Speaker)
2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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Civic University Network Showcase
Johanna Forster (Speaker), Fiona Lettice (Speaker), Julie Schofield (Speaker) & Benjamin Little (Speaker)
5 Dec 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Invited talk
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Civic UEA Open Space events (multiple)
Johanna Forster (Presenter) & Benjamin Little (Presenter)
2022 → 2023Activity: Other activity types › Other
Press/Media
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Measuring Heritage Loss and Damage from Climate Change for Effective Policy Reporting
Johanna Forster & Joanne Clarke
30/03/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Countries are relying on forests and soil to absorb their remaining carbon – it’s a risky way to reach net zero
Harry Smith, Johanna Forster & Nem Vaughan
6/03/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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A global carbon removal industry is coming – experts explain the problems it must overcome
31/10/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media