Inaugural Professorial Lecture – Professor Chris Hepburn

Restoring marine ecosystems for what will be
About Professor Chris Hepburn research
Chris is a PhD graduate from Otago who grew up in Cromwell.

His training in seaweed ecophysiology has been broadened to include the impacts of human-induced change on the ecology of kelp forests and coastal seas and their values.

Chris and his team of students and collaborators work alongside coastal communities in their struggles to restore and maintain ways of life associated with productive coastal ecosystem and fisheries. His work is strongly applied and is often diving focused.

He has gained huge support from Kai Tahu Tangata Tiaki (Customary Fishery Managers) in Te Waipounamu over many years and is proud to support and work alongside these champions of coastal fishery protection, conservation and culture. Application of his research and teaching to support local action that has helped return local fisheries rights to local people has been a highlight of his work to date.

He is a proud member of the East Otago Taiāpure Management Committee and Co-Director of the marine climate change focused Coastal People Southern Skies Centre of Research Excellence.