Dr Clare Fitzsimmons

Biography

Clare’s background in environmental research, coupled with commercial experience gained in defence and marine consultancy sectors has given her a wide array of interests, unique analytical skills and familiarity with novel techniques not formerly applied to marine environmental issues. Although her expertise developed across several fields, a common theme is the analysis of complex systems. She now applies this to marine management and governance, primarily investigating human interactions with ecological systems. Interested in the ways in which human activities and their organisation impact upon the marine environment; she focuses on understanding governance systems to support decision making for natural resource management, and associated values and trade-offs made at multiple scales. Current research is developing novel social network analysis and futures techniques to explore marine resource management and governance through large-scale regional work across the Caribbean (EC FP7; Defra). She also sustains a successful local ecological programme. This aims to provide management relevant research to support the new inshore conservation obligations of local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) and centres on high value local crustacea stocks, associated habitats and fishing behaviour. It attracts multiple funders (NERC, Cefas, Natural England, NIFCA, the Marine Management Organisation). Roles and Responsibilities Degree Programme Director: International Marine Environmental Consultancy MSc programme. Great North Museum Academic Teaching and Research Committee Contributes to Marine Biology BSc programmes. Qualifications BSc Chemistry (Environmental Chemistry), First Class Honours PhD Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Manchester APMP and PRINCE2 project manager MSc Tropical Coastal Management, Newcastle University Informal Interests Diving: wrecks, technical, rebreather, marine life; Boats; Underwater hockey (octopush); Aerial dance. About Us Induction 2017 Undergraduate Postgraduate Research Working with Business & Government Equality & Diversity Outreach News Events Staff

Research Interest

Object based approaches to identifying and monitoring marine ecosystem services using remotely sensed data for the UK Caribbean Overseas Territories (NERC-CASE with Environment Systems) Impacts and threats to biodiversity in the UK Caribbean Overseas Territories (Defra) FORCE - Future of Reefs in a Changing Environment (European Commission FP7)