Craig Brown

Craig Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oceanography at Dalhousie University, part of the Faculty of Science. He leads the Seascape Ecology and Mapping (SEAM) Lab, focusing on seafloor habitat mapping, benthic ecology, and acoustic remote sensing. His work addresses marine spatial planning and sustainable resource management through advanced geospatial techniques and collaboration with government and industry partners.

Dr. Brown earned his BSc from the University of Reading, UK, and his PhD from the University of Portsmouth, UK. His research integrates acoustic technologies like multibeam sonar with machine learning to map seafloor ecosystems, study species-environment relationships, and assess anthropogenic impacts. Key projects include habitat mapping of glass sponge reefs, seafloor sediment characterization, and identifying environmental impacts of marine debris.

The SEAM Lab emphasizes seascape ecology, applying landscape ecology principles to marine environments. Recent studies explore multispectral acoustic responses of habitats, machine learning applications for benthic imagery, and the ecological consequences of ocean warming. Outputs include regional seabed maps, biodiversity assessments, and frameworks for harmonizing multi-source data.

Notable collaborations involve the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, focusing on offshore infrastructure monitoring. Dr. Brown’s courses include OCEA 4330 (Benthic Ecology) and BIOL 4666/MARI 4666, advancing student training in marine science methodologies.