Edith Shum

Edith is an ecologist pursuing a PhD at the University of Tasmania, exploring how species shape our connection to places in the context of environmental change.

Following my love for sea turtles, I completed my MSc. in Marine Biology and Ecology at James Cook University, Australia where she found her passion in using visual tools that engages with the wider community. I am now pursuing my PhD at the University of Tasmania exploring how species shape our connection to places in the context of environmental change.

As an interdisciplinary scientist with a background in social and ecological sciences, I have been fortunate to have experienced working with research initiatives from Canada, Costa Rica, Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. My research interest draws on the relationship between people and the environment where I weave my experience in marine turtle research, data management, qualitative/quantitative analytics, as well as spatial and temporal analyses. With this skillset, I am currently exploring how species can act as placemakers- a specific facet of our life that contribute to shaping our own individual identities. By doing so, I hope to provide insight in how species can be used as a focal point to nurture place-based connections and foster more meaningful conversations.