TARA SAYURI WHITTY Social-ecological conservation research • Research training • Consulting • Travel Writing Gulf of Mottama International Advisor [email protected] International Union for Conservation of Nature tswhitty.com Point B Design + Training, Mawlamyine University +95 9 429 045540 Mon State, Myanmar ABOUT ME I am a social-ecological researcher who seeks to link creative EDUCATION ideas with on-the-ground, socially ethical solutions to conservation challenges. Ph.D. 2014 | M.Sc. 2009 From a background in mammal behavioral ecology, I entered the realm of human- Scripps Institution of Oceanography centered research through my Ph.D. work on the accidental capture of marine University of California San Diego mammals in small-scale fisheries. Immersion in coastal communities convinced me that conservation must be a social process, and I am now one of the (too few) B.A. 2005 experts on human dimensions of marine megafauna conservation. I am genuinely Ecology & Evolutionary Biology passionate about improving how conservation functions in developing countries, Environmental Studies Certificate using my extensive on-the-ground experience (primarily in Southeast Asia) to train Princeton University young researchers, conduct novel research, and evaluate projects. FOCUS AREAS Developing and applying innovative, effective approaches to conservation research, planning, implementation, and evaluation, particularly through the use of Design Thinking. Topics include: • Interface between coastal conservation & communities, particularly ensuring ethical and effective conservation action through meaningful participation of local communities • Assessment and mitigation of marine megafauna accidental capture (bycatch) in small-scale fisheries • Documenting previously unstudied populations of tropical coastal & aquatic marine mammals • Building local capacity for conservation research and action in developing countries • Participatory, qualitative, social-ecological evaluation of conservation projects CURRENT WORK Gulf of Mottama International Advisor, IUCN | 2017-present Main project: Managing and implementing IUCN’s activities for the Gulf of Mottama Project, a large-scale, multi-sector project on integrated, sustainable management of coastal natural resources in the Gulf of Mottama. Working closely with Point B Design + Training, a Design Thinking research and training lab based at Mawlamyine University, to apply participatory, creative approaches for innovative and effective research, management, and training. This has motivated the establishment of the Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab by the Point B team. Research Training Management Plan • Developed & currently implementing a capacity-building program for Based on stakeholder consultations, students and faculty at Mawlamyine and Bago Universities, to strengthen completed the drafting of the Gulf of local capacity for management-relevant research Mottama Coastal Natural Resource • Supervising five research teams at local universities Management Plan, to be • Mentoring Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab team at implemented by local governments Point B Design + Training and multi-stakeholder groups • Hiring contractors for specific technical trainings (including communities) Research • Conducting research with (and training) local research teams: Marine mammals: Uncovered previously undocumented presence of 2 species in the Gulf of Mottama; Local Ecological Knowledge interviews of local fishing communities; initial boat surveys planned for October 2018 Participatory, qualitative evaluation of project impacts in communities using “Most Significant Change” approach • Developed & implementing integrated research strategy for whole Gulf of Mottama Project, including links to communities and decision-makers Other projects and outputs • Shared Resources Joint Solutions - Myanmar Project– training local community organizations on gender issues and analysis as related to natural resource management. Output: Training package, report. • Presentation: “Integrated Coastal Management: An Introduction” for Workshop on Initiation of the development of the National Integrated Coastal Resources Management Program. Presented to national and state/regional Coastal Resource Management Committees. Nay Pyi Taw, 2018. • Wint Hte, Whitty, T.S. 2018. Applying Design Thinking in Co-creating Marine Conservation with Communities. Poster presentation. International Marine Conservation Congress 5. Kuching, Malaysia. 2018. TARA SAYURI WHITTY curriculum vitae 2 CURRENT EXPERIENCE cont’d Consultant on rapid assessment of marine Human Communities Technical Advisor megafauna bycatch in the Philippines | 2017-present 2016-present Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center, LAMAVE Convention on Migratory Species’ Dugong MOU Project Developing and guiding the implementation of a toolkit for Part of the Technical Advisor group that developed assessing sea turtle and other marine megafauna bycatch in the the Dugong & Seagrass e-resource toolkit; Philippines; including development of field team training developed the Human Communities stream and program, guidance on project implementation and future steps delivered orientation to users • Technical reports; training materials; draft toolkit and manual • Human Communities stream of Dugong & Seagrass (currently being tested) Research Toolkit PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE National Science Foundation (NSF) Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability (SEES) Postdoctoral Fellow | 2014-2017 | Gulf of California Marine Program, Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography; Too Big To Ignore global network for small-scale fisheries research Focused on how we evaluate “success in conservation,” as applied to the concept of stewardship in coastal communities. Theoretical work on stewardship plus fieldwork in Mexico and Myanmar: Stewardship framework Co-developed a framework and definition for stewardship of environmental resources; research group co- coordinator for Too Big To Ignore’s Stewardship & Small-scale Fisheries research cluster, included co-organizing a workshop and conference session on stewardship • Bennett, N.J., Whitty, T.S., Finkbeiner, E., Pittman, J., Bassett, H., Gelcich, S., Allison, E.H. 2018. Environmental stewardship: A conceptual review and analytical framework. Environmental Management, 61(4). • Bennett, N.J., et al. (Whitty T.S. author 15 out of 25) 2017. An appeal for a code of conduct for marine conservation. Marine Policy, 81 • In prep Whitty, T.S. , Bennett, N.B., Finkbeiner, E.M., Bassett, H.R., Allison, E. Stewardship and small-scale fisheries: Promoting leadership and active participation in conservation • “Stewardship and small-scale fisheries: Promoting active leadership and participation in conservation.” Talk. International Marine Conservation Congress 4, St. John’s, CA. 2016. • “How can fishers help ‘save the dolphins’? Moving toward community stewardship of marine mammals.” Talk. Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. Honolulu. 2015. • “Small-scale fisheries and stewardship: Communities as leaders in conservation and management.” Public presentation. EcoAlianza Speaker Series. Loreto and Ensenada Blanca, Mexico. 2015. • Short course: Approaches & tools for studying social-ecological systems. CMBC Master’s of Advanced Study Program. 2015. Stakeholder perspectives on the future of Exploring potential modes of coastal conservation in the Upper Gulf of California, stewardship in Myanmar with Point B Design + with a focus on the Critically Endangered Vaquita Training, IUCN, Fauna & Flora International with San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Human-centered research on communities and Interviewed diverse stakeholders about vaquita (Phocoena conservation/fisheries management in the context sinus) conservation, including its impacts and possible outlook of Myanmar’s changing policies (increased for the future. Developed concept of counterproductive decentralization). Trained 3 young researchers. conservation pathways. Trained 2 young researchers. • 2018. “Evaluating perspectives on the Locally • In prep: Whitty, T.S., Young, S., Martinez, A.H., Varga, V. Managed Marine Area process in Don Pale and Lin Counterproductive conservation pathways: Lessons from vaquita Long.” Report for FFI* conservation. • 2017. “Social potential for mud crab co- • In prep: Technical report management in the Gulf of Mottama.” Report for • “A tangled net: Counterproductive conservation pathways in the Gulf of Mottama Project* case of vaquita conservation.” Talk. International Marine • 2017. “Fisher experiences in the market chain in Conservation Congress 5. Kuching, Malaysia. Daminseik, Setse Beach.” Report for Point B, • Public reports and presentations to communities Mawlamyine Uni., Thanbuzayat Dept of Fisheries • Public presentations: “Las perspectivas de los actores sobre el • Public reports shared to communities for “Social futuro de la conservación en el Alto Golfo de California.” San potential” and “Fisher experiences” project Felipe, Mexico. 2016; “Tiny Porpoise, Big Mess: Perspectives on • Short course: Introduction to Marine Conservation Vaquita Conservation” for Aquarium of the Pacific and Science. For students and faculty at Mawlamyine American Cetacean Society-Los Angeles chapter. 2017. University. 2017. • Blog posts for Deep Sea News, Salt Magazine *Co-authors: Wint Hte, Yin Yin Htay, Aung Naing Soe TARA SAYURI WHITTY curriculum vitae 3 PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE cont’d Conservationscapes: Dissertation