Overview
Background
Pedro Fidelman is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Futures, The University of Queensland, where he leads the Social and Environmental Sustainability research theme.
His research examines how governance systems address emerging sustainability challenges. He studies the institutions, policies, regulations and decision-making processes that shape responses to changing environmental, societal and technological conditions.
His work spans diverse sustainability contexts, including water and catchment governance, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, marine and coastal governance, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and emerging sustainability technologies. A major focus of his current research is the governance, policy and regulatory implications of emerging sustainability technologies, including reef restoration and adaptation, offshore renewable energy and RNA-based biotechnologies.
Alongside his empirical research, Pedro develops innovative approaches for analysing governance systems, including governance analytics, comparative governance and AI-assisted qualitative analysis.
His research has informed national and international policy initiatives and has been cited in policy documents produced by governments and international organisations across multiple countries. He has served as Coordinating Lead Author (Oceans and Coasts) for the United Nations Global Environment Outlook 7.
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
Understanding how governance systems address emerging sustainability challenges through policy, institutions and governance.
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Governance of emerging sustainability technologies
Governance, policy and regulatory implications of emerging technologies for environmental and sustainability outcomes.
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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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Governance innovation
Governance innovation, institutional adaptation and regulatory innovation under conditions of environmental, societal and technological change.
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Comparative governance
Comparative governance across sustainability challenges, jurisdictions and governance levels.
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Innovative analytical methods
Governance analytics, institutional analysis, comparative methods and AI-assisted qualitative analysis.
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Marine and coastal governance
Governance of marine and coastal social-ecological systems, biodiversity conservation, restoration and the blue economy.
Research impacts
Pedro's research has contributed to environmental policy and governance nationally and internationally through leadership roles in major environmental assessments, policy advisory initiatives and collaborative research programs. His research has informed national strategies and international initiatives addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation and emerging sustainability technologies. It has been referenced in 93 policy reports produced by 32 policy bodies across 15 countries, demonstrating its contribution to environmental decision-making and international science–policy processes.
Works
Search Professor Pedro Fidelman’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Book Chapter
Assessing the adaptive capacity of collaborative governance institutions
Fidelman, Pedro (2021). Assessing the adaptive capacity of collaborative governance institutions. Adaptiveness: changing earth system governance. (pp. 69-82) edited by Riyanti Djalante and Bernd Siebenhüner. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108782180.006
2020
Journal Article
Connecting governance interventions to ecosystem services provision: a social‐ecological network approach
Metzger, Jean Paul, Fidelman, Pedro, Sattler, Claudia, Schröter, Barbara, Maron, Martine, Eigenbrod, Felix, Fortin, Marie‐Josée, Hohlenwerger, Camila and Rhodes, Jonathan R. (2020). Connecting governance interventions to ecosystem services provision: a social‐ecological network approach. People and Nature, 3 (2), 266-280. doi: 10.1002/pan3.10172
2020
Journal Article
The dynamics of multiscale institutional complexes: the case of the São Paulo Macrometropolitan region
Gonçalves, Leandra R., Fidelman, Pedro, Turra, Alexander and Young, Oran (2020). The dynamics of multiscale institutional complexes: the case of the São Paulo Macrometropolitan region. Environmental Management, 67 (1), 109-118. doi: 10.1007/s00267-020-01379-1
2020
Other Outputs
Strategic issues and opportunities for the acquisition of thermal coal mining assets for managed closure
Franks, Daniel, Bainton, Nick, Head, Brian, Côte, Claire, Erskine, Peter, Fidelman, Pedro, Kemp, Deanna and Flomenhoft, Gary (2020). Strategic issues and opportunities for the acquisition of thermal coal mining assets for managed closure. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Journal Article
Linking social and biophysical systems to inform long-term, strategic management of coral reefs
Costa, Micheli D. P., Gorddard, Russell, Fidelman, Pedro, Helmstedt, Kate J., Anthony, Kenneth R. N., Wilson, Kerrie A. and Beyer, Hawthorne L. (2020). Linking social and biophysical systems to inform long-term, strategic management of coral reefs. Pacific Conservation Biology, 27 (2), 126-132. doi: 10.1071/pc20002
2020
Journal Article
Interventions to help coral reefs under global change—a complex decision challenge
Anthony, Kenneth R.N., Helmstedt, Kate J., Bay, Line K., Fidelman, Pedro, Hussey, Karen E., Lundgren, Petra, Mead, David, McLeod, Ian M., Mumby, Peter J., Newlands, Maxine, Schaffelke, Britta, Wilson, Kerrie A. and Hardisty, Paul E. (2020). Interventions to help coral reefs under global change—a complex decision challenge. PLoS One, 15 (8 August) e0236399, e0236399. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236399
2020
Other Outputs
Developing a policy and regulatory research plan for Australia's emerging Blue Economy: Project report
Rissik, D., Fidelman, P., Shaw, J. and Haward, M. (2020). Developing a policy and regulatory research plan for Australia's emerging Blue Economy: Project report. Hobart, Australia: Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.
2019
Journal Article
A framework for assessing adaptive capacity to multiple climatic and non-climatic stressors in small-scale fisheries
Freduah, George, Fidelman, P. and Smith, Timothy F. (2019). A framework for assessing adaptive capacity to multiple climatic and non-climatic stressors in small-scale fisheries. Environmental Science and Policy, 101, 87-93. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.07.016
2019
Journal Article
Regulatory implications of coral reef restoration and adaptation under a changing climate
Fidelman, Pedro, McGrath, Chris, Newlands, Maxine, Dobbs, Kirstin, Jago, Belinda and Hussey, Karen (2019). Regulatory implications of coral reef restoration and adaptation under a changing climate. Environmental Science and Policy, 100, 221-229. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.04.016
2019
Journal Article
Towards adaptive coastal management: lessons from a “legal storm” in Byron Shire, Australia
Frohlich, Miguel F., Smith, Timothy F., Jacobson, Chris, Fidelman, Pedro, Carter, R.W. (Bill) and Baldwin, Claudia (2019). Towards adaptive coastal management: lessons from a “legal storm” in Byron Shire, Australia. Ocean & Coastal Management, 179 104909, 104909. doi: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104909
2019
Other Outputs
Policy futures: regulating the new economy
Hussey, Karen, Yarnold, Jennifer, McEwan, Christopher, Maher, Ray, Henman, Paul, Radke, Amelia, Curtis, Caitlin, Fidelman, Pedro, Vickers, Claudia and Brolan, Claire (2019). Policy futures: regulating the new economy. Policy Futures Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2019
Newspaper Article
There's a lot of bad news in the UN global environment outlook, but a sustainable future is still possible
Fidelman, Pedro (2019, 04 11). There's a lot of bad news in the UN global environment outlook, but a sustainable future is still possible The Conversation doi: 10.64628/AA.3vcdxqxfu
2019
Journal Article
Global environmental governance for conserving migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific
Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, Morrison, Tiffany H., Fidelman, Pedro, Kark, Salit and Fuller, Richard A. (2019). Global environmental governance for conserving migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific. Regional Environmental Change, 19 (4), 1113-1129. doi: 10.1007/s10113-019-01461-3
2019
Journal Article
Adaptive capacity of small-scale coastal fishers to climate and non-climate stressors in the Western region of Ghana
Freduah, George, Fidelman, Pedro and Smith, Timothy F. (2019). Adaptive capacity of small-scale coastal fishers to climate and non-climate stressors in the Western region of Ghana. Geographical Journal, 185 (1), 96-110. doi: 10.1111/geoj.12282
2019
Other Outputs
Reef restoration and adaptation program: regulatory framework
Fidelman, P., Newlands, M., McGrath, C. and Hussey, K. (2019). Reef restoration and adaptation program: regulatory framework. Townsville, QLD, Australia: Australian Institute of Marine Science.
2019
Book Chapter
Climate change in the Coral Triangle: enabling institutional adaptive capacity
Fidelman, Pedro (2019). Climate change in the Coral Triangle: enabling institutional adaptive capacity. Climate change and ocean governance: politics and policy for threatened seas. (pp. 274-289) edited by Paul G. Harris. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108502238.017
2019
Other Outputs
Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program - Technical Process and Detailed Findings: Decision Support Findings
Beyer, H.L., Costa, M.D.P., Dambacher, J. , Gorddard, R. , Helmstedt, K. , Wilson, M. , Fidelman, P. , Anthony, K. and Wilson, K. (2019). Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program - Technical Process and Detailed Findings: Decision Support Findings. Online: UQ & Australian Institute of Marine Science .
2019
Other Outputs
Reef restoration and adaptation program: regulatory assessment findings
Fidelman, P., Newlands, M., McGrath, C. and Hussey, K. (2019). Reef restoration and adaptation program: regulatory assessment findings. Townsville, QLD, Australia: Australian Institute of Marine Science.
2019
Conference Publication
The role of regulation in restoring Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Fidelman, P. , McGrath, C. , Newlands, M. and Hussey, K. (2019). The role of regulation in restoring Australia's Great Barrier Reef. 5th Frontiers in Environmental Law Colloquium, Brisbane, Australia, 14-15 February 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
An institutional interplay perspective to multi-level governance: the case of the São Paulo Macro-metropolitan region
Goncalves, L. R. , Fidelman, P. and Turra, A. (2019). An institutional interplay perspective to multi-level governance: the case of the São Paulo Macro-metropolitan region. Oaxaca Earth System Governance Conference, Oaxaca, Mexico, 6-8 November 2019.
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
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Navigating a sea of legal requirements: The barriers and enablers for large-scale marine and coastal 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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