Carissa Klein

Carissa Klein is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's School of the Environment. She leads the Ocean Conservation Team, focusing on marine and coastal conservation through interdisciplinary research addressing ecological, economic, and social dimensions. Her work emphasizes land-sea conservation planning, marine spatial zoning, and sustainable seafood practices. She has advised numerous organizations and governments, including Sabah Parks and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Dr. Klein holds degrees in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Science and Management (MS), and a PhD in Conservation Science from The University of California, Santa Barbara and The University of Queensland. Her research has received international recognition, including the ASPIRE Prize and the Sir Keith Murdoch Fellowship. She collaborates globally to integrate conservation science with policy, fostering solutions that balance human needs and ecological preservation.

Her team’s research spans marine megafauna vulnerability assessments, fisheries governance, and coral reef protection. Key recent contributions include frameworks for combating illegal fishing and improving sanitation for reefs. She advises on the design of marine protected areas and has pioneered tools like Marxan with Zones software for spatial conservation prioritization.

Dr. Klein’s work intersects with policy, equity, and economics, aiming to achieve conservation outcomes that are socially just and ecologically effective. She advocates for inclusive conservation practices and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems.