Victoria Graham

Victoria Graham (also known as Tori) is a Research Associate at Macquarie University's School of Natural Sciences, working with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association. She also serves as a sessional GIS tutor and guest lecturer, and holds a position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute, James Cook University, working on the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP). She is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

Dr. Graham completed her MPhil at James Cook University in 2017, investigating cost-effective opportunities for minimizing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Southeast Asia, followed by a PhD at Macquarie University in 2021 evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas for conserving nature. Her academic background combines conservation science and economics.

Her research focuses on using statistical, spatial and economic modeling to understand the effectiveness and impacts of protected areas and policy instruments for conserving natural systems. Key research areas include evaluating protected area effectiveness, integrating climate change considerations into protected area networks, and exploring cost-effective opportunities for REDD+ initiatives. Her work spans conservation planning under climate change, forest carbon emissions, and policy development for environmental protection.

Dr. Graham's recent publications demonstrate strong focus on Southeast Asian conservation, protected area effectiveness, and climate adaptation policy. Her research shows consistent emphasis on quantifying conservation outcomes and developing practical policy recommendations for biodiversity protection and carbon emissions reduction.

• BHERT Award for Outstanding Collaboration for National (non-economic) Benefit (2017)
• Faculty of Science and Engineering Award for Excellence in Research (2017)
• Macquarie University Academic Staff Award for Excellence in Research, Highly Commended (2017)
• Professional Staff Excellence Award (2018)

Dr. Graham has been actively involved in research collaborations across multiple institutions, with significant contributions to environmental policy. Her work with the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program demonstrates commitment to practical conservation solutions. She has served as a reviewer for Environmental Research Letters and presented at numerous conferences on topics including REDD+ strategies, conservation planning under climate change, and forest carbon emissions. Her research has generated substantial impact, with multiple publications covered by news outlets, referenced in policy documents, and widely shared across social media platforms.

Dr. Graham's work with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and involvement in the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program highlight her commitment to bridging the gap between science and policy in marine conservation. Her research has contributed to enhancing coastal and marine management through stakeholder engagement and science-policy integration.