Nathan Bennett is the Global Oceans Lead Scientist. In this role, Nathan conducts forward looking research, provides thought leadership, and manages science talent and projects related to pressing ocean sustainability challenges.
Nathan is also the Chair of the People and the Ocean Specialist Group for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Prior to joining WWF, Nathan worked as a freelance consultant, facilitator, researcher, and teacher for various non-governmental, philanthropic, academic, and governmental organizations. He was also an affiliate and postdoctoral researcher with the Institute for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia, the School of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington, the Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University, and the EqualSea Lab at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
Trained as a conservation social scientist and human-environment geographer, Nathan has produced more than 100 academic papers and book chapters on the human dimensions of marine and terrestrial conservation, small-scale fisheries, climate change, the blue economy, and ocean governance. He is particularly interested in how insights related to social, cultural, economic, health, and governance considerations can be integrated into and improve environmental decision-making and marine policy. Nathan’s work is international – with past research projects in Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and the Mediterranean Sea – and several that have focused on global ocean issues
