Fern Wickson

Fern Wickson is a Professor of Ocean Leadership at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. She is actively involved in cross-disciplinary research and education, focusing on sustainability transformations, environmental governance, and the ethical dimensions of science and technology. She coordinates a new experiential Master’s program in Ocean Leadership and is affiliated with the Arctic Sustainability Lab and the Changing Arctic research group. Her international roles include Coordinating Lead Author for the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment and lead facilitator for Homeward Bound, a global leadership initiative for women in STEMM.

• BA/BSc in Ecology and Political Science, Australian National University
• Honours in Environmental Politics, University of Tasmania
• PhD in Environmental Governance, University of Wollongong (joint natural and social science faculties)

Wickson’s research is deeply interdisciplinary, integrating ethics, politics, and ecology. Her work explores biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems, the governance of emerging technologies, and the role of arts-based and transdisciplinary methods in environmental research. She emphasizes care, justice, and the interdependence of nature and culture in shaping sustainable futures. Her scholarship critically examines the interfaces between science, policy, and public engagement, particularly in controversies around GMOs, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology.

Her recent publications span high-impact journals across disciplines, including Nature Nanotechnology, Nature, Sustainability, and Science and Engineering Ethics. The articles reflect a consistent focus on ethical governance, risk assessment, public participation, and the philosophical implications of biotechnologies. Themes include epistemic justice in conservation, ecological deskilling in agriculture, and the role of art in bridging knowledge systems.

While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her leadership roles in major international assessments (IPBES) and global initiatives (Homeward Bound) indicate significant professional recognition and influence.

Wickson has mentored or collaborated with numerous researchers, though formal PhD students are not listed. She has secured and contributed to research projects such as "Transformative change towards sustainable blue food systems in Northern Norway" and "DiVA - Digital User Competence in Marine-Related Education." Her work often involves international collaboration and policy engagement.

She is a member of the Arctic Sustainability Lab and the Changing Arctic research group, both of which focus on interdisciplinary approaches to Arctic environmental and societal challenges. These teams integrate natural and social sciences to address transformative change in northern regions.