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Associate Professor Pedro Fidelman
Associate Professor

Pedro Fidelman

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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

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wollongong

Research interests

  • Environmental policy and governance

    Including, but not limited to, marine and coastal social-ecological systems, natural resource management, climate change and water management.

  • Policy and institutional analysis

    Policy and institutional analysis particularly in relation (but not limited) to global environmental change

  • Governance, policy and regulatory innovation

    Governance, policy and regulatory innovation in the context of environmental, technological and social change.

  • Policy and regulatory implications of emerging technologies

    Policy and regulatory implications of new and emerging technologies for environmental outcomes.

  • Climate change adaptation

    Policy and strategies to enhance the capacity of government, industry and community to respond and adapt to climate change.

  • Marine and coastal social-ecological systems

    Governance of marine and coastal social-ecological systems, biodiversity, conservation, restoration and blue economy.

  • 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

155 works between 1992 and 2026

1 - 20 of 155 works

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

Multilevel governance of marine plastic solutions in Australia and Brazil

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.

Pre-conditions for Offshore Wind Energy Developments in Australia (Work Package 1 – Policy and Regulation)

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

Controle nos portos pode ser começo de solução para reduzir excesso de poluição plástica no Sul Global

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

Oceans and Coasts

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.

Social Science for Meeting Australia’s Ocean Goals

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

Brazil claims to be an environmental leader. Are they?

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

Extending responsibility: Port-based downscaling targets for the global plastic treaty

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.

Richmond River catchment governance assessment

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

A systematic review on public perceptions of RNAi-based biopesticides: developing social licence to operate

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

The future of dsRNA-based biopesticides will require global regulatory cohesion

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.

RNA-based biopesticides, do we have regulatory and social license to operate?

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

The governance of marine and coral reef restoration, lessons and paths forward for novel interventions

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

Governing marine cloud brightening for ecosystem conservation under a warming climate

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

Ecosystem-based governance for a sustainable blue economy: insights from offshore wind in Australia

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

Enabling policy and regulation for offshore wind: lessons from Australia’s emerging blue economy

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.

From challenge to change: lessons from Calantha’s path to eco-friendly biopesticides

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

Not all conservation “policy” is created equally: When does a policy give rise to legally binding obligations?

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.

Perceptions of crown-of-thorns starfish management in the Great Barrier Reef, economic and social co-benefits, and regulatory considerations

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.

Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – Regulatory Sub-program Final Report

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.

Current state of knowledge and on-going developments regulating RNAi-based products for agriculture

Funding

Current funding

  • 2020 - 2026
    Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Innovation Program
    Great Barrier Reef Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Development of a governance monitoring framework, applying the framework in the Richmond River catchment NSW
    NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Pre-conditions for the development of offshore wind energy in Australia (Blue Economy CRC project led by Uni Tasmania)
    Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Pasay 360 Sustainability Framework
    SM Smart City Infrastructure and Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Environmental indicators for tracking environmental condition and trend in Queensland
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Risks & Opportunities for the Blue Economy
    Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Mapping and analysis of blue economy policy and legislative arrangements
    Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection
    ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Stakeholder Network Analysis (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority grant led by James Cook University)
    James Cook University
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Developing a policy and regulatory research plan for Australia's emerging Blue Economy
    Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019
    RRAP - Regulatory Approvals and Developmental Evaluation
    Great Barrier Reef Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    CSIRO-UQ Collaboration on Responsible Innovation
    CSIRO
    Open grant

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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in independent regulatory agencies

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving the capacity of legislative frameworks to facilitate marine restoration

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Justine Bell-James

Completed supervision

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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au