Developing a governance model for reef and fisheries governance in SE Asia

This PhD will undertake work that supports the development of a fit for purpose model for the governance of coral reefs and fisheries in SE Asia, as part of a multi-disciplinary project working across the Philippines and Indonesia.

The PhD will focus on, depending on the successful applicants preferred focus and skills/experience, coral reef governance in Palawan, Philippines, or fisheries governance in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

In each case the intended focus of work is to support the development of evidence-based solutions for reef and fisheries management that improve the sustainability of reefs and fisheries, while minimising impacts on dependent communities who are vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity.

It is intended that this will require:

• Development of scientific methods that combine biological/ecological data on reefs and fisheries with socio-economic data on dependent communities.

• Analysis of existing governance and management processes to identify how these data can be utilised to inform decision-making for reefs and fisheries.

The successful candidate will be supported to work with project teams in either Philippines or Indonesia, to identify a practical focus area and contribution of their thesis in the context of the wider research program.