Mimi E. Lam

Mimi E. Lam is a transdisciplinary scholar with current affiliations at the University of Bergen (Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities), University of British Columbia (Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and Centre for the Study of Human Evolution, Cognition, and Culture), and the University of New Mexico (Department of Biology). She holds positions as Guest Researcher, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, and Senior Fellow, reflecting her active engagement in research and academic collaboration across institutions.

Her research spans the physical, ecological, and human sciences, with a focus on marine sustainability, fisheries ethics, socio-ecological systems, and participatory governance. She investigates human values, identities, and behaviors in the context of marine systems, aiming to inform ethical decision-making for a sustainable and just future. Her work is situated at the science-society-policy nexus, integrating insights from ecology, philosophy, and social sciences.

Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in interdisciplinary marine ethics, governance, and sustainability, particularly in seafood systems, herring fisheries, and pandemic-related behavioral responses. Her research combines theoretical frameworks with empirical studies, often involving stakeholder engagement and value elicitation. She has developed decision-support tools such as value- and ecosystem-based management (VEBMA), participatory knowledge quality assessment, and ethical management strategy evaluation.

• Conservation Beacon Award, Society for Conservation Biology
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, European Commission

She has mentored graduate students including Sahir Advani (PhD) and Jeff Scott (MSc), focusing on values in small-scale fisheries and Pacific herring management. She has also contributed to educational innovation through interdisciplinary, culturally contextualized courses and mentoring programs for underrepresented students in STEM. Her research is funded by organizations including the Research Council of Norway, European Commission, WWF, and NSERC.

Dr. Lam leads or contributes to major research initiatives such as MENSA (Managing Ethical Norwegian Seascape Activities), eSEAS (Enhancing Seafood Ethics and Sustainability), and global fisheries reviews. She is also involved in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) frameworks, advocating for ethical and inclusive scientific practices.