Research Interests
My work broadly examines governance and projects premised on sustainable development and blue economy to understand implications for both global equity and coastal communities. The goal of this research is to understand what economic and social possibilities are emerging, and what are being (or at risk of being) foreclosed through new projects and governance regimes being advanced under the banner of sustainable development/blue economy. Building on diverse and community economies theory, I conceptualize the blue economy not as a stable neoliberal concept, but something that can be resisted and reshaped with communities in mind.
I currently am investigating these issues through three ongoing projects: (1) Blue Economy in Grand Bahama (2) The Data Revolution and Oceans Governance (through the Digital Oceans Governance Lab); (3) the new Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. I seek to draw connections among these cases to understand:
I currently am investigating these issues through three ongoing projects: (1) Blue Economy in Grand Bahama (2) The Data Revolution and Oceans Governance (through the Digital Oceans Governance Lab); (3) the new Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. I seek to draw connections among these cases to understand:
- Which ocean representations are being promoted in connection with conservation/development proposals, which are being marginalized, and which forms of knowledge are informing those representations?
- What new possibilities for oceans governance, development, and conservation are emerging?
- What are the equity and justice implications at the global and local level?