Skip to main content

Xavier Basurto

Adjunct Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation
Marine Science and Conservation
9 Circuit Dr, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am interested in the fundamental question of how groups (human and non-human) can find ways to self-organize, cooperate, and engage in successful collective action for the benefit of the common good. To do this I strive to understand how the institutions (formal and informal rules and norms) that govern social behavior, interplay with biophysical variables to shape social-ecological systems. What kind of institutions are better able to govern complex-adaptive systems? and how can societies (large and small) develop robust institutions that provide enough flexibility for collective learning and adaptation over the long-term?

My academic and professional training is based on a deep conviction that it is through integrating different disciplinary perspectives and methods that we will be able to find solutions to challenging dilemmas in natural resources management, conservation, and environmental policy. Trained as a marine biologist, I completed a M.S in natural resources studying small-scale fisheries in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Realizing the need to bring social science theories into my work on common-pool resources sustainability, I earned an MPA and a Ph.D. in Management (with a minor in cultural anthropology) from the University of Arizona and under the supervision of Edella Schlager. Following I spent two years working with Elinor Ostrom, 2009 co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, at the Workshop for Political Theory and Policy Analysis of Indiana University. Methodologically, I am familiar with a variety of quantitative and qualitative approaches and formally trained to conduct Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA or more recently fsQCA), that allows among other things, systematic comparisons of middle range N sample sizes and address issues of multiple-causality.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Adjunct Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation · 2025 - Present Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment

In the News


Published January 28, 2025
To Address World Hunger, Look to Small-Scale Fisheries
Published March 16, 2023
The Big Impact of Small Fisheries Around the World
Published November 30, 2020
A Fertile Year of Environmental Research & Learning at the Nicholas School

View All News

Recent Publications


Developing a Comprehensive Index for Beaches to Enhance Sustainability and Visitor Experience Through Holistic Monitoring

Journal Article Sustainability Switzerland · April 1, 2025 This study presents the development of the Comprehensive Index for Beaches (CIB), a holistic tool designed to address the limitations of traditional beach monitoring systems by integrating social and ecological dimensions within a socio-ecological systems ... Full text Cite

Developing a characterization matrix for small-scale fisheries.

Other · March 26, 2025 Small-scale fisheries (SSF) play a major role in the fisheries sector with over 490 million people depending at least partially on them. The sector is estimated to account for 40 percent of total inland and marine capture fisheries production, up t ... Full text Cite

A global assessment of preferential access areas for small-scale fisheries

Other · March 26, 2025 We provide the first global assessment of the status of preferential access areas (PAAs), a relatively understudied policy tool to govern small-scale fisheries. We find 44 countries, most of them of low or low-middle income, have established a tota ... Full text Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Strengthening Fishing Organizations in Mexico

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Walton Family Foundation · 2022 - 2024

Facilitating Small-Scale Fisheries Science and Governance

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Oak Foundation · 2021 - 2024

CNH2-S: Measuring adaptive responses that strengthen governance of marine resources along the Baja California Peninsula

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2020 - 2024

View All Grants

Recent Artistic Works



View All Artistic Works

Education, Training & Certifications


University of Arizona · 2007 Ph.D.
University of Arizona · 2004 M.P.A.
University of Arizona · 2001 M.S.

External Links


Basurto lab webpage