Betsi Beem

Dr Betsi Beem is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. She holds a BA from Florida International University and MA/PhD degrees from the University of Washington. Her research focuses on environmental policy, particularly marine governance and the role of science in decision-making, with notable projects on the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park rezoning. She has received grants including the 2011 FASS Collaborative Research Scheme and the 2009 International Council for Canadian Studies award.

Dr Beem’s teaching spans policy analysis, public administration, and international organizations. She leads the Making Policy Work (MPW) initiative, connecting students with policy practitioners through workshops and career resources. Her pedagogical innovations earned the 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

She serves on editorial boards for Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis and Coastal Management, and holds leadership roles in professional organizations like the American Political Science Association and the International Studies Association. Her work explores transnational policy dynamics, treaty implementation, and the interplay between scientific expertise and political agendas.

Key research themes include science-policy interfaces, marine protected areas, and the institutional dimensions of environmental treaty implementation. Her grants and publications demonstrate sustained engagement with global environmental governance challenges and domestic policy adaptation mechanisms.