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
2019
Conference Publication
Implications of large-scale marine governance for institutional adaptive capacity to climate change
Fidelman, P. (2019). Implications of large-scale marine governance for institutional adaptive capacity to climate change. 25th World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 21-25 July 2018.
2019
Book Chapter
Oceans and coastal policy
Mangalagiu, Diana, Baker, Elaine, Fidelman, Pedro, Goncalves, Leandra Regina, Harris, Peter, Hollway, James, Kim, Rakhyun E., Rice, Jake and Alkhatlan, AlAnoud (2019). Oceans and coastal policy. Global Environment Outlook – GEO-6: healthy planet, healthy people. (pp. 348-371) edited by Paul Ekins, Joyeeta Gupta and Pierre Boileau. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108627146.020
2019
Conference Publication
Coral reef resilience: a study of the complex regulatory space to aid resistance, repair and recovery of reefs
Newlands, M. , Fidelman, P. and Hussey, K. (2019). Coral reef resilience: a study of the complex regulatory space to aid resistance, repair and recovery of reefs. 92nd Australian Coral Reef Society Conference, Moreton Island, Australia, 7-9 May 2019.
2019
Other Outputs
Reef restoration and adaptation program - research and development program report
Mead, D., Bay, L.K., Anthony, K., Hussey, K., Taylor, B., Fidelman, P., Mumby, P.J., Harrison, D., Gibbs, M.T., Daly, J. and Bryan, S. (2019). Reef restoration and adaptation program - research and development program report. Australia : Australian Institute of Marine Science.
2019
Other Outputs
Reef restoration and adaptation program: engagement and regulatory dimensions
Taylor, B., Hussey, K. , Fidelman, P. , Vella, K. , Maclean, K. , Newlands, M. , Ritchie, B. , Lockie, S. , Lacey, J. , McGrath, C. , Baresi, U. , Barber, M. and Koopman, D. (2019). Reef restoration and adaptation program: engagement and regulatory dimensions. Townsville, Australia: Australian Institute of Marine Science.
2019
Other Outputs
Regulatory approvals for RRAP activities & developmental evaluation framework
Fidelman, P. , Newlands, M, Jago, B., Dobbs, K., Simpson, A. , Vella, K. and Hussey, K. (2019). Regulatory approvals for RRAP activities & developmental evaluation framework. Online: Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program.
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
2018
Journal Article
Does co-management facilitate adaptive capacity in times of environmental change? Insights from fisheries in Australia
Nursey-Bray, Melissa, Fidelman, Pedro and Owusu, Mensah (2018). Does co-management facilitate adaptive capacity in times of environmental change? Insights from fisheries in Australia. Marine Policy, 96, 72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.07.016
2018
Journal Article
Mobilising adaptive capacity to multiple stressors: insights from small-scale coastal fisheries in the Western Region of Ghana
Freduah, G., Fidelman, P. and Smith, T.F. (2018). Mobilising adaptive capacity to multiple stressors: insights from small-scale coastal fisheries in the Western Region of Ghana. Geoforum, 91, 61-72. doi: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2018.02.026
2018
Journal Article
The relationship between adaptive management of social-ecological systems and law: a systematic review
Frohlich, Miguel F., Jacobson, Chris, Fidelman, Pedro and Smith, Timothy F. (2018). The relationship between adaptive management of social-ecological systems and law: a systematic review. Ecology and Society, 23 (2) art23. doi: 10.5751/es-10060-230223
2018
Conference Publication
Implementing the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 for Coastal and Marine Areas: Insights from Australia and Brazil
Steiner, A. , Fidelman, P. , Marques, S. and Silva, A. M. (2018). Implementing the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 for Coastal and Marine Areas: Insights from Australia and Brazil. 25th World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 21-25 July 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Implications of large-scale marine governance for institutional adaptive capacity to climate change
Fidelman, P. (2018). Implications of large-scale marine governance for institutional adaptive capacity to climate change. 25th World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane, Australia, 21-25 July 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Scoping regulatory, institutional and governance implications of reef restoration and adaptation interventions
Hussey, K. , Newlands, M. , Fidelman, P. and McGrath, C. (2018). Scoping regulatory, institutional and governance implications of reef restoration and adaptation interventions. Great Barrier Reef Restoration Symposium , Cairns, Australia, 16-18 July 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
The role of regulation in restoring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Fidelman, P. , Newlands, M. , McGrath, C. and Hussey, K. (2018). The role of regulation in restoring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Reef Futures 2018: A Coral Restoration and Intervention-Science Symposium , Key Largo, FL, United States, 10-14 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Implementing the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 for coastal and marine areas: insights from Australia and Brazil
Steiner, A. , Fidelman, P. , Marques, S. and Silva, A.M. (2018). Implementing the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 for coastal and marine areas: insights from Australia and Brazil. 25th World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane, Australia, 21-25 July 2018.
2017
Journal Article
The impacts of environmental and socio-economic stressors on small scale fisheries and livelihoods of fishers in Ghana
Freduah, George, Fidelman, Pedro and Smith, Timothy F. (2017). The impacts of environmental and socio-economic stressors on small scale fisheries and livelihoods of fishers in Ghana. Applied Geography, 89, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2017.09.009
2017
Journal Article
Structural factors influencing conservation decision-making: a case of species prioritisation in Australia
Kim, Milena Kiatkoski, Evans, Louisa, Fidelman, Pedro, Scherl, Lea M. and Marsh, Helene (2017). Structural factors influencing conservation decision-making: a case of species prioritisation in Australia. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 60 (11), 1923-1943. doi: 10.1080/09640568.2016.1268107
2017
Journal Article
The institutions-adaptive capacity nexus: insights from coastal resources co-management in Cambodia and Vietnam
Fidelman, Pedro, Truong Van Tuyen, Nong, Kim and Nursey-Bray, Melissa (2017). The institutions-adaptive capacity nexus: insights from coastal resources co-management in Cambodia and Vietnam. Environmental Science & Policy, 76, 103-112. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.06.018
2017
Journal Article
Barriers and opportunities for adapting to climate change on the north coast of São Paulo, Brazil
Simoes, Eliane, de Sousa Junior, Wilson C., de Freitas, Debora M., Mills, Morena, Iwama, Allan Y., Goncalves, Isabel, Olivato, Debora and Fidelman, Pedro (2017). Barriers and opportunities for adapting to climate change on the north coast of São Paulo, Brazil. Regional Environmental Change, 17 (6), 1739-1750. doi: 10.1007/s10113-017-1133-5
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
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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