My upbringing in Australia and Papua New Guinea inspired a deep fascination and love of the ocean. Since then, I have developed a career as a marine ecologist and fisheries biologist whose work has ranged from temperate estuaries to tropical coral reefs and the deep-sea. I gained a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Melbourne, and a PhD in Marine Biology from James Cook University, before moving to the UK in 1999. The central driver of my research has been to gain an increased understanding of marine species and ecosystems to help balance the provision of ecosystem services (particularly fisheries) with conservation. My specialities include the provision of evidence to improve fisheries management and policy and examining the utility of Marine Protected Areas for enhancing both conservation and fisheries. I work with a broad range of stakeholders including commercial and recreational fishermen, conservationists, and the seafood industry and I am passionate about communicating the findings of my research to the broadest possible audiences. I joined the University of Plymouth (30%) from the University of York in 2024. At the same time I joined the Marine Biological Association as a Senior Research Fellow (70%)

Marine Stewardship Council - Stakeholder Advisory Council

All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries - Expert Panel

ICES Scallop Working Group - Appointed Member

UK Scallops Fisheries Improvement Project - Steering Group Member

Scallop Potting - Project Advisory Group