About
I am an interdisciplinary marine scientist, driven by a desire to understand human impacts on marine systems and how we might mitigate them – to produce the best outcomes for society and the environment. I am particularly passionate about science communication, education and policy, and bring these into my work wherever possible.
Research
Combining NATURAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Some of the most interesting questions can be asked and answered at the boundaries between disciplines. Throughout my work, I aim to bring different fields together to help find solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges.
Research themes
Knowledge Brokering
Which approaches best enable evidence-informed policy, benefiting society & the environment?
Climate change
How will ocean warming & ocean acidification impact the relationships between species?
Applied Ecology
What can we do to reduce accidental bycatch & improve the efficacy of sustainable aquaculture?
Using tools to support marine policy
Exploring how complex models like Atlantis can be used to support marine management and address challenges associated with shipping and oil transport.
My current work within the Marine Ethnoecology Research Group at the University of Victoria, Canada, is in close collaboration with the Centre of Marine Socioecology, CSIRO, Australia.
Policy
Supporting stakeholders at all levels
My first foray into science policy was as a Policy Fellow in the Welsh Government, working to understand the implications of Brexit for coastal communities and the marine environment. Since then, I have gone on to support and manage a range of policy projects through my work at the University of Victoria and as head of the Science & Policy Team at Mindfully Wired Communications.
MARINE POLLUTION
Facilitating knowledge exchange to help keep the Salish Sea clean, safe and healthy for current and future generations. Specifically, helping to manage, mitigate and respond to the challenges created by oil spills, noise pollution, and shipping traffic.
FISHERIES
Supporting the Welsh Government in understanding the impacts of Brexit on Welsh fisheries; supporting the UK Parliament through cross-party briefings on the economics, welfare and sustainability of the UK industry, and reporting on North Sea fisheries issues for the European Commission.
AQUACULTURE
Establishing consensus on the evidence needed to support sustainable aquaculture development and reporting on stakeholder priorities for marine planning.
Climate change
Contributing to the work of the UK Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership to engage policymakers through their Communications Working Group.
Sara Mynott 