Overview
Background
Pedro Fidelman leads strategic projects in the Social and Environmental Sustainability theme at the UQ Centre for Policy Futures, including the Centre's contribution to the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program and Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.
Pedro’s research focuses on environmental policy and governance with an emphasis on the role of institutions (e.g., regulations, norms, and decision-making processes) in addressing global environmental change (e.g., over-exploitation of natural resources, biodiversity loss and climate change). He is also interested in the process of policy making and associated social and political actors and contextual factors.
His research is predominantly empirical, drawing on case studies in the context of marine and coastal social-ecological systems, climate change adaptation and natural resources management in Australia, Southeast Asia and Brazil. Current research includes governance, policy and regulatory implications of using novel and emerging technologies for environmental outcomes, and policy and regulatory innovation in the context of environmental, social and technological change.
Prior to joining UQ, Pedro held research positions in Brazil (e.g., University of Brasilia) and Australia (e.g., ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and Sustainability Research Centre of the University of the Sunshine Coast).
Availability
- Associate Professor Pedro Fidelman is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wollongong
Research interests
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Environmental policy and governance
Including, but not limited to, marine and coastal social-ecological systems, natural resource management, climate change and water management.
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Policy and institutional analysis
Policy and institutional analysis particularly in relation (but not limited) to global environmental change
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Governance, policy and regulatory innovation
Governance, policy and regulatory innovation in the context of environmental, technological and social change.
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Policy and regulatory implications of emerging technologies
Policy and regulatory implications of new and emerging technologies for environmental outcomes.
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Climate change adaptation
Policy and strategies to enhance the capacity of government, industry and community to respond and adapt to climate change.
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Marine and coastal social-ecological systems
Governance of marine and coastal social-ecological systems, biodiversity, conservation, restoration and blue economy.
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Institutional theory
New institutionalism, Ostrom's school of political economy, institutional analysis and development framework
Research impacts
Pedro Fidelman has contributed expertise to several national and international initiatives in his field, serving as cluster co-leader (climate change) for the Ocean Governance Taskforce of the Earth System Governance Project, theme co-leader (marine and coastal governance) for the Centre for Marine Socioecology, member of the Future Earth Australia Oceans and Coasts National Strategy Expert Working Group, lead author (oceans and coastal policy) for UNEP's Global Environment Outlook 6 and coordinating lead author (oceans and coasts) for the Global Environment Outlook 7.
Works
Search Professor Pedro Fidelman’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Multilevel governance of marine plastic solutions in Australia and Brazil
Guerrato, Nicole Russo, Fidelman, Pedro and Gonçalves, Leandra Regina (2026). Multilevel governance of marine plastic solutions in Australia and Brazil. Environmental Management, 76 (3) 77. doi: 10.1007/s00267-025-02366-0
2026
Other Outputs
Pre-conditions for Offshore Wind Energy Developments in Australia (Work Package 1 – Policy and Regulation)
Smith, Danielle and Fidelman, Pedro (2026). Pre-conditions for Offshore Wind Energy Developments in Australia (Work Package 1 – Policy and Regulation). Hobart, TAS, Australia: Blue Economy CRC.
2025
Other Outputs
Controle nos portos pode ser começo de solução para reduzir excesso de poluição plástica no Sul Global
Fassina, Caroline Malagutti, Pardal, André, Gerrato, Nicole Russo and Fidelman, Pedro (2025, 12 10). Controle nos portos pode ser começo de solução para reduzir excesso de poluição plástica no Sul Global The Conversation doi: 10.64628/ADE.y6fj9p7na
2025
Book Chapter
Oceans and Coasts
Fidelman, Pedro, Wiltshire, Karen Helen, Abdel-Gawad, Fagr, Deudero, Salud, Elegbede, Isa Olalekan, Domingues, Catia Motta, Gunasekara, Sandya, Denise, Britta and Overduin, Paul (2025). Oceans and Coasts. Global Environment Outlook 7: A future we choose – Why investing in Earth now can lead to a trillion-dollar benefit for all. (pp. 213-249) Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP. doi: 10.59117/20.500.11822/49014
2025
Other Outputs
Social Science for Meeting Australia’s Ocean Goals
Sbrocchi, C., Ogier, E., Fidelman, P., Barclay, K., Diedrich, A., Dyer, M., Fabinyi, M., Fleming, A., Gurney, G., Hodgson-Johnson, I., Lawless, S., Melbourne-Thomas, J., Navarro, M., Pascoe, S., Pecl, G. T., Smith, B., Stacey, N. and Voyer, M. (2025). Social Science for Meeting Australia’s Ocean Goals. Hobart, TAS, Australia: National Marine Science Committee.
2025
Other Outputs
Brazil claims to be an environmental leader. Are they?
Fidelman, Pedro (2025, 11 10). Brazil claims to be an environmental leader. Are they? The Conversation doi: 10.64628/AA.9atkmn4ek
2025
Journal Article
Extending responsibility: Port-based downscaling targets for the global plastic treaty
Fassina, C. M., Pardal, A., Gonçalves, L. R., Fidelman, P. and Christofoletti, R. A. (2025). Extending responsibility: Port-based downscaling targets for the global plastic treaty. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 219 118244, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118244
2025
Other Outputs
Richmond River catchment governance assessment
Fidelman, Pedro (2025). Richmond River catchment governance assessment. NSW: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
2025
Journal Article
A systematic review on public perceptions of RNAi-based biopesticides: developing social licence to operate
Tardin-Coelho, Raquel, Fletcher, Stephen, Manzie, Narelle, Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi, Fidelman, Pedro, Mitter, Neena and Ashworth, Peta (2025). A systematic review on public perceptions of RNAi-based biopesticides: developing social licence to operate. npj Sustainable Agriculture, 3 (1) 15, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s44264-025-00057-1
2025
Journal Article
The future of dsRNA-based biopesticides will require global regulatory cohesion
Gunasekara, Sandya, Fidelman, Pedro, Fletcher, Stephen, Gardiner, Donald, Manzie, Narelle, Ashworth, Peta, Tardin-Coelho, Raquel and Mitter, Neena (2025). The future of dsRNA-based biopesticides will require global regulatory cohesion. Nature Plants, 11 (4), 664-667. doi: 10.1038/s41477-025-01953-7
2025
Conference Publication
RNA-based biopesticides, do we have regulatory and social license to operate?
Mitter, Neena, Gunasekara, S. N., Tardin-Coelho, R., Fletcher, S. J., Fidelman, P. and Ashworth, P. (2025). RNA-based biopesticides, do we have regulatory and social license to operate?. Society of Nematologists 64th Annual Conference, Victoria, BC, Canada, 13-17 July 2025. Warsaw, Poland: Paradigm Publishing Services.
2025
Journal Article
The governance of marine and coral reef restoration, lessons and paths forward for novel interventions
Shumway, Nicole, Foster, Rose and Fidelman, Pedro (2025). The governance of marine and coral reef restoration, lessons and paths forward for novel interventions. Environmental Science and Policy, 164 103999, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.103999
2025
Journal Article
Governing marine cloud brightening for ecosystem conservation under a warming climate
Foster, Rose, Shumway, Nicole, Harrison, Daniel and Fidelman, Pedro (2025). Governing marine cloud brightening for ecosystem conservation under a warming climate. Earth System Governance, 23 100240, 100240. doi: 10.1016/j.esg.2025.100240
2025
Book Chapter
Ecosystem-based governance for a sustainable blue economy: insights from offshore wind in Australia
Frohlich, Miguel and Fidelman, Pedro (2025). Ecosystem-based governance for a sustainable blue economy: insights from offshore wind in Australia. Volume 2: marine ecology: an ecosystemic view of anthropogenic impacts. (pp. 275-290) edited by Juan M. Molina and Gabriela E. Blasina. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003024613-15
2025
Book Chapter
Enabling policy and regulation for offshore wind: lessons from Australia’s emerging blue economy
Smith, Danielle, Frohlich, Miguel and Fidelman, Pedro (2025). Enabling policy and regulation for offshore wind: lessons from Australia’s emerging blue economy. Handbook of sustainable blue economy. (pp. 1-20) edited by Walter Leal Filho, Amanda Lange Salvia, Joao Paulino Pires Eustachio and Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-32671-4_8-1
2025
Conference Publication
From challenge to change: lessons from Calantha’s path to eco-friendly biopesticides
Gunasekara, Sandya and Fidelman, Pedro (2025). From challenge to change: lessons from Calantha’s path to eco-friendly biopesticides. TropAg 2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 November 2025.
2024
Journal Article
Not all conservation “policy” is created equally: When does a policy give rise to legally binding obligations?
Bell‐James, Justine, Foster, Rose, Frohlich, Miguel, Archibald, Carla, Benham, Claudia, Evans, Megan, Fidelman, Pedro, Morrison, Tiffany, Rolim Baggio, Liza, Billings, Peter and Shumway, Nicole (2024). Not all conservation “policy” is created equally: When does a policy give rise to legally binding obligations?. Conservation Letters, 17 (6) e13054. doi: 10.1111/conl.13054
2024
Other Outputs
Perceptions of crown-of-thorns starfish management in the Great Barrier Reef, economic and social co-benefits, and regulatory considerations
Lockie, S., Fidelman, P., Paxton, G., Bartelet, H., Brooksbank, L., Graham, V., Draaisma, L. and Backhaus, V. (2024). Perceptions of crown-of-thorns starfish management in the Great Barrier Reef, economic and social co-benefits, and regulatory considerations. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: COTS Control Innovation Program.
2024
Other Outputs
Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – Regulatory Sub-program Final Report
Shumway, N., Foster, R., Gunasekara, S., Head, B. and Fidelman, P. (2024). Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – Regulatory Sub-program Final Report. Townsville, QLD, Australia: Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program.
2024
Conference Publication
Current state of knowledge and on-going developments regulating RNAi-based products for agriculture
Gunasekara, Sandya and Fidelman, Pedro (2024). Current state of knowledge and on-going developments regulating RNAi-based products for agriculture. 2024 Annual Meeting - ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1-3 May 2024.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Pedro Fidelman is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in independent regulatory agencies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the capacity of legislative frameworks to facilitate marine restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justine Bell-James
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Policies and legislation for Resilience-Based Management - a case study of the Great Barrier Reef.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justine Bell-James
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Pedro Fidelman directly for media enquiries about:
- climate change adaptation
- environmental policy
- global environmental change
- Great Barrier Reef
- marine and coastal systems
- natural resource management
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