Stephanie Webb

Stephanie is a geographer with expertise in political ecology, commodity systems theory, and critical food studies, currently completing her Ph.D. in Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her current research focuses on multiple dimensions of fisheries and food system sustainability. She examines the combined effects of multiscalar seafood trade and fisheries management on marine biodiversity, fishing communities, and food security. Ten years of applied research in coastal communities where she used community organizing and environmental planning skills to design innovative, multifaceted solutions for small-scale fisheries and seafood systems inspire her research and career aspirations.

At the California State Water Resources Control Board, Stephanie will investigate the potential risks to California’s coastal waters in the face of climate change, namely hypoxia and ocean acidification, and the potential risks to human health and water quality associated with aquaculture projects.  Additionally, Stephanie will investigate tribal beneficial uses of ocean waters, including cultural uses and subsistence fishing. To achieve this, Stephanie will use content analyses of qualitative and quantitative literature. She will also co-develop research outputs by capturing and facilitating knowledge exchange between California’s State agencies and California’s Native American Tribes. She brings scholarly knowledge of environmental justice to the Ocean Standards Unit to help fill gaps of understanding and link research to decision-making.