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.

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)

PhD (University of East Anglia); MRes (University of York); BSc (University of Leeds)

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).

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.