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, Vulnerability of tourism-dependent Caribbean islands to climate change, 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
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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ARISE: Advancing Resilience and Innovation for a Sustainable Environment
Lorenzoni, I., Forster, J., Little, B. & Richardson, C.
Economic and Social Research Council
1/04/24 → 30/09/28
Project: Research
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MARine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning leading to Ecosystem Services
Ferrini, S., Forster, J., Ferrini, S., Marca, A., 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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A dataset of emissions and removals from scenarios and pathways within long-term national climate strategies – the LTS-SP dataset
Smith, H. B., Vaughan, N. E. & Forster, J., 23 Mar 2025, In: Scientific Data. 12, 485.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Curating transformation can strengthen adaptation and minimize losses and damages
Clarke, J., Haour, A., Morel, H., Forster, J., Orlove, B., Holtorf, C., Hutcheson, A., Aryee Adinorkuor, V., Brunnschweiler, C., Brooks, N., Wade, S., Wellington, N-A., Appeaning Addo, K. & P. Simpson, N., 23 Jan 2025, In: npj Climate Action. 4, 4, 4.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Downloads (Pure) -
Participatory Democratic Methods for a Civic University: Collective re-imagining of the University of East Anglia's civic role.
Little, B. & Forster, J., Mar 2025, (Accepted/In press).Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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A systematic review of the impact of post-harvest aquatic food processing technology on gender equality and social justice
Rao, N., Hooper, L., Gray, H., Grist, N., Forster, J., Bremner, J., Sabir, G., Heaton, M., Marwaha, N., Thakur, S., Wanyama, A. & Zhang, L., Sept 2024, In: Nature Food. 5, 9, p. 731-741 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Challenges to anticipatory coastal adaptation for transformative nature-based solutions
Cotton, I., Forster, J., Lorenzoni, I. & Tolhurst, T. J., Sept 2024, In: Global Environmental Change-Human and Policy Dimensions. 88, 102893.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 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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Norwich University of the Arts - Living in Changing Landscapes
Johanna Forster (Speaker)
6 Jul 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Invited talk
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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
Press/Media
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Net zero plans show limited climate ambition on ‘residual’ emissions
Harry Smith, Nem Vaughan & Johanna Forster
10/05/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: UEA Press Release
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Major emitters ‘may retain or expand’ fossil fuels despite net-zero plans
Harry Smith, Nem Vaughan & Johanna Forster
9/05/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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The UEA Passover Seder
Oren Margolis, Benjamin Little & Johanna Forster
18/04/23 → 29/06/23
4 Media contributions
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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The University of East Anglia's Civic University Project
Benjamin Little & Johanna Forster
8/06/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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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: Media Coverage or Contribution