Jon C. Day

Jon C. Day is an Adjunct Professor at James Cook University's College of Science and Engineering, focusing on marine conservation and World Heritage management. His career spans 39 years in protected area planning, including 28 years with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), where he led major initiatives like the Representative Areas Program (RAP) and contributed to the first GBR Outlook Report. He holds a PhD (2021) and a B. Nat. Res. (Hons) (1975).

Education:

• PhD, James Cook University (2021)
• B. Nat. Res. (Hons), University of New England (1975)

Research Interests: Jon's work emphasizes biodiversity conservation, marine protected area design, and climate resilience strategies for World Heritage sites. He co-developed the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), a tool applied globally to assess climate risks to cultural and natural heritage. His research bridges policy, ecology, and community engagement to strengthen adaptive management frameworks.

Articles Trends: Recent publications (2021–2024) highlight climate vulnerability assessments, ocean governance, and MPAs' role in conserving sharks/rays. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and policy coherence for effective marine spatial planning.

Scientific Awards:

• Australian Public Service Medal (PSM)
• Smithsonian-Queensland Fellowship

Advising & Grants: Jon advises on World Heritage assessments and climate adaptation strategies. His grants focus on developing tools like the CVI and evaluating management effectiveness of large-scale MPAs. He collaborates with international bodies such as UNESCO and IUCN, contributing to global conservation frameworks.

Labs/Teams: Active in JCU's coral reef research networks and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (2005–2022), though now affiliated as an adjunct. He also engages with IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and ICOMOS for heritage projects.