Professor Stephen D A Smith

Adjunct Professor, National Marine Science Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University

Marine biodiversity

Marine debris

Citizen science

Marine management

Marine conservation

Biography and expertise

Biography

I am an Adjunct Professor of Marine Science, and marine benthic ecologist, with primary interests in the biodiversity of marine and estuarine environments. Much of this diversity is under threat from a wide range of human impacts and I am dedicated to understanding these impacts with a view to fostering long-term sustainability.

My work contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Research

My research focuses on measuring, monitoring and managing marine biodiversity. This includes assessing threats, especially those associated with marine debris, and working with management agencies to develop mitigation strategies. My biodiversity research includes the documentation of diversity and distribution patterns with the assistance of community volunteers (citizen scientists).

Community engagement

I work closely with community volunteers to deliver many of my research outcomes with specific citizen science programs focusing on sea slugs (the Sea Slug Census) and marine debris.