About
David Gill is an Assistant Professor at Duke University's Marine Science & Conservation Division, specializing in marine coupled human-natural systems. His research focuses on evidence-based marine management, coral reef conservation, and equitable ocean governance through interdisciplinary collaboration with economists, ecologists, and political scientists.
- Education: PhD and MSc from University of the West Indies
- Postdoctoral Training: Luc Hoffmann Fellow at SESYNC (2014-2016), David H. Smith Conservation Fellow (2016-2018)
Dr. Gill leads the Ocean Synthesis Lab, employing systems approaches to analyze marine social-ecological interactions. His work integrates datasets on MPAs, climate change, and socioeconomic factors to develop scalable conservation solutions for vulnerable coastal communities.
Recent research trends show expertise in evaluating protected area effectiveness (2024-2025), equity metrics in marine governance (2023-2025), and causal modeling for conservation outcomes (2023). His studies span climate change adaptation, fisheries sustainability, and human wellbeing impacts of conservation policies.
- Scientific Recognition:
- Luc Hoffmann Fellow
- David H. Smith Conservation Fellow
The Ocean Synthesis Lab he directs trains PhD students in marine conservation science and collaborates with Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, and Indonesian marine conservation initiatives, as evidenced by recent grants and publications.
