About

In short, I'm working on marine biodiversity at the science-policy interface. I like to work transdisciplinarily with people from multiple fields and walks of life so that we can improve marine biodiversity management and policy together.

Since September 2024, I work in the AGELESS project.

Within AGELESS, I am the central node for policy and societal engagement. I lead the co-design, co-production and co-evaluation of research with policy relevance and facilitate dialogue between scientific partners and decision-makers to ensure that long-term biodiversity data and governance insights are effectively integrated into conservation strategies in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Our central aim is to best support Germany's ratification and subsequent implementation process of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ, also known as the High Seas Treaty) Agreement.

Previous career

My research philosophy has undergone an organic evolution from more specialist in ecology  to interdisciplinary social-ecological generalist at the science-policy interface (SPI). Shifts in my career got triggered as I felt my research priorities challenged.

PhD Research (2016-2020) @ LEC Lancaster, UK:

I studied coral recovery post-bleaching in the Seychelles, directly advising local authorities on reef management. This led to an interdisciplinary focus, integrating social science into ecological research, which garnered recognition and awards.

Postdoc Project 1 - MARISCO (2020-2023) @ HIFMB Oldenburg, Germany:

At HIFMB, I led transdisciplinary collaborations on marine biodiversity management, adapting methods during the COVID-19 pandemic, producing influential publications, and advising policymakers on biodiversity thresholds. The project is ongoing, with future work planned in South Africa.

Postdoc Project 2 - BioAgora (2023-2024) @ HIFMB Oldenburg, Germany:

I co-led the Marine Demonstration Case of BioAgora, advising European policymakers on biodiversity management and answering the European Commissions biodiversity-related questions. Additionally, I contribute to the EKLIPSE Knowledge Coordination Body and work on improving Germany's National Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.