Simone Stevenson Email and Phone Number

Developing a maritime transport and invasive species incursion model and analysis to further inform invasive species management decisions as part of New Zealand's Marine Biosecurity Toolbox project https://www.biosecurity-toolbox.org.nz/.

Working across most projects in the lab, I use R and ArcGIS to prepare and analyse spatial data for marine conservation and ecology projects.

I used conceptual and quantitative methods to test the usefulness of global biodiversity indicators for decision making, using a combination of empirical and simulated data.My project was part of an ARC funded project led by my supervisors Dr. Emily Nicholson and Dr. Kate Watermeyer, and collaborating with Simon Ferrier and Beth Fulton (CSIRO)..My research interests include measuring biodiversity change, evidence-based environmental decision-making, marine spatial planning and management, biosecurity, and international environmental policy.

Following my volunteer role as Ocean Management Officer, I was then contracted to work as an independent consultant for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, housed within the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.My responsibilities in this role have included:Developing a monitoring and evaluation plan to review regional progress against the regional ocean policy action plan, the Framework for a Pacific OceanscapeUndertaking the first progress evaluation of the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape in 2016, and preparing a report on it for Pacific Island Leaders.Technical analysis for the streamlining of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Oceans and Seas with regional priorities and other sustainable development goals.Developing communications materials for the Pacific Ocean Commissioner and the Office, including this video message leading up to the Paris Agreement Climate Change negotiations: https://youtu.be/dPo1zAw5BUo

I spent two years working with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) which aims to stimulate economic growth and enhance political governance and security for the region. My position at PIFS was funded by the Australian Government’s ‘Australian Volunteers for International Development’ program.My key role was as Ocean Management Officer, in the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner. I contributed to Pacific Ocean-focused planning and coordination efforts and policy research and analysis on ocean-related issues including fisheries management, marine spatial planning, biodiversity conservation, pollution management and deep sea minerals.I also assisted the Commissioner in high level advocacy work to promote issues of key importance to the Pacific region through the development of briefs on ocean issues and reporting on successful outcomes, stakeholder engagement and production of communication materials.In addition to my oceans related work, I also assisted the Forum’s Climate Change Finance Adviser in work relating to the ability of Pacific Island countries to access and use international development funding available to them for the purposes of climate change mitigation and adaptation.

At GHD I worked as an environmental scientist specialising in environmental policy and management. I worked in the water resources and natural resources teams, on a range of projects, including the management of irrigation related salt impacts on the River Murray and compliance with the MDBP, irrigation salinity, the impact of groundwater change on wetlands and waterways, and the modernisation of irrigation infrastructure to recover water for the environment.I also assisted with the Business Development of the Water Resources group.

I worked at Hydro Environmental for approximately 10 months before it was acquired by GHD. I worked on similar projects, with a focus on quantifying water losses and savings from irrigation channels, and assisting CMA's in meeting their Register A and B obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

I worked at PIA for three years, starting out as the Victorian Policy and Project Officer, and was then later also given the position of National policy officer.My role was to research and consult with members and stakeholders on current land use planning policy issues, develop responses or submissions on behalf of the Institute and assist with the advocacy of those positions.I was also project officer, and was responsible for running several internship programs including and indigenous and rural program, the PIA Clean Energy Futures project and tutoring classes at the University of Melbourne.