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Resource and Environmental Management doctoral student in the

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am a coastal marine ecologist and PhD candidate at SFU working with Dr. Anne Salomon. I was raised on the prairies in Treaty 7 territory, a fourth generation settler Canadian, and hold a BA (Hons), and a Masters of Resource Management (MRM). My expertise sits at the intersection of marine ecology, applied research and climate adaptation strategies. I have a passion for the outdoors and am at my happiest when diving through a kelp forest, running down a beach or teaching someone a cool ocean fact.

I earned her Masters in Resource Management in 2023, where I worked alongside the Kwakiutl Nation to better understand how commercial kelp harvest was affecting kelp forests in Kwakiutl territory and how those kelp forests were reacting and recovering after harvest. Formerly I worked for a non-profit that focused on increasing the capacity and skillsets of marine managers globally to initiate conservation and management action in their communities. Working with coastal communities has fundamentally shaped how I see kelp forests, not just as ecosystems to study, but as relationships that have sustained coastal peoples for millennia. This perspective constantly pushes me to grow as both a scientist and collaborator, and has shown me that the most meaningful science happens when community priorities are centered and multiple ways of knowing are respected.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I originally came to SFU to pursue my Masters in REM. I was so inspired by my peers and well supported by my lab, the department and my supervisor that I came back to pursue my PhD.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

My PhD explores how ecological interactions, traditional and experimental management practices, and climate-adaptive policy can collectively enhance the resilience of kelp forests to climate change. My work on kelp-human relationships focuses on co-produced, community-based research that upholds diverse knowledge forms and Indigenous governance.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Kelp Forest Resilience, Social-Ecological Systems, Marine Ecology

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My experiences at REM have been essential in developing both my technical skills and collaborative research approach. As an RA, I've gained hands-on experience in survey techniques, data collection protocols, and field research methods that directly inform my PhD work. These positions taught me how to manage complex datasets and navigate the logistical challenges of coastal fieldwork.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

Yes, I have been the recipient of many awards, of which I am incredibly grateful. I've been privileged to receive an NSERC PGS-D, the Paul Higgins Resource and Environmental Management Graduate Award and the Tate Graduate Award for Biodiversity Leadership. I'm grateful to these sources of funding that have allowed me to focus on my research!

Contact Alyssa:alyssa_allchurch@sfu.ca

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