Professor Andrew D Short, OAM

Prof Andrew D Short, OAM is a coastal geomorphologist specializing in coastal processes, morphology and evolution. He has degrees from the University of Sydney, University of Hawaii and Louisiana State University and has worked on the coasts of North and South America, including north Alaska and Hawaii, Europe, New Zealand, Korea and the entire Australian coast.

Andy is presently Honorary Professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney; Honorary Professorial Fellow in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Wollongong; Senior Coastal Scientist (part-time) with CoastalCOMS.com; and board member of National Surfing Reserves (Australia). He also runs his own consultancy called Coastal Studies and served on the NSW Coastal Panel (2011-2019).

Andy has written 11 books, edited 5 and published over 200 scientific publications and reports. His contribution to both coastal science and beach safety was recognized on Australia Day 2010 with an Order of Australia Medal. His latest book (2019) covers the entire Australian coast and its 354 sediment compartments and is titled “Australian Coastal Systems: beaches, barriers and sediment compartments”.

Professor Michelle Waycott

Michelle holds a joint appointment as Chief Botanist and Professor of Plant Systematics with School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide and Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium (Department for Environment and Water).

Michelle is a botanist and evolutionary biologist who leads a diverse range of research and has more than a hundred scientific publications. Previously Michelle worked at The University of Western Australia, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, James Cook University and the University of Virginia. Michelle and her team investigate, utilising an interdisciplinary toolkit, how species, populations and communities survive under the increasing pressures of our modern ecological reality. Michelle’s current coastal research includes improving our understanding of the dynamics of our coastal and marine environments, and how to restore them.

Michelle has a research focus on seagrasses globally including research that aimed to improve ecological condition in the Great Barrier Reef, The Coorong and the US Virginia Coastal Bays. Michelle undertakes science supporting decision making and believes our science should inform the community and be engaging.

Anita Crisp

Anita Crisp has qualifications in environmental science, education and business management.  After a short time in the teaching profession, Anita used her environmental and business expertise to create a new career working in the local government and natural resource management sectors. She has been involved with a number of boards and committees over the past decade, including the South Australian Coast Protection Board and Trees for Life.

Anita is currently the Executive Officer of the Spencer Gulf Cities Association, supporting the Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Pirie Councils with a range of regional collaboration and advocacy initiatives.  She has also been a key figure in the coordination and establishment of the South Australian Coastal Councils Alliance.  This alliance involves all of the 34 coastal councils around the SA coast.

Associate Professor Beverley Clarke

Associate Professor Beverley Clarke is a Social Geographer in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, Flinders University.

She is currently the President of the Institute of Australian Geographers (IAG) and has held key roles in the Australian Coastal Society acting as Secretary to the national committee and is past Chair of the South Australian chapter.

Beverley is particularly interested in how people influence environmental management. She has been investigating how both formal (governance) and informal (cultural and social) processes affect decision-making processes and outcomes for the environment. She has been conducting research in the area of environmental planning and management, specialising in coasts, and has published over 70 publications. 

Her current work focusses on social values associated with vulnerable coasts, scenario planning for climate futures and climate adaptation, the policy implications of sea level rise; and the social dimensions of natural resource management.

Dr Felicity-ann Lewis

A dedicated, dynamic leader, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis is passionate about creating a better, healthier, more inclusive Australia.

She has worked tirelessly to further reconciliation with Aboriginal people, and to support the settlement process for refugees and migrants. Both a leader and a team player, Felicity-ann currently sits on a number of boards, including the Australian Press Council, Garville Netball Club and the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges (AMLR) NRM.

As the Presiding Member for the AMLR NRM Board, Felicity-ann oversees coastal management programs along a coastline stretching from Victor Harbor to St Kilda. The Board works with scientists, land managers and local communities to conserve these important environments.

Her passion for the community is matched by a commitment to health promotion. She has a Doctorate of Education from the University of South Australia. She was an academic at Flinders University for 20 years retiring as a Senior Lecturer in 2016.

Felicity-ann was 14 years as Mayor of the City of Marion, having been a councillor for 3 years prior to that. Her local government experience is extensive concluding in 2014 with her term as National President of the Australian Local Government Association. Felicity-ann was the 2014 SA  Australian of the Year.

Felicity-ann’s actions, as much as her words, encourage people to make their communities the best they can be.

Martin Haese

Martin Haese is the Chair of the South Australian Premier’s Climate Change Council, the key advisory body to the SA Government on matters relating to climate change. A current focus of the Council is supporting the development of a Blue Carbon Strategy for South Australia.  The Strategy will guide research activity to better understand the potential for blue carbon projects in SA and create the necessary policy environment and partnerships to drive on-ground implementation.

Martin is an entrepreneur, educator, public figure and strong advocate for Adelaide’s standing as one of the world’s most liveable cities. He is also the current CEO of Business SA.

In 2014, Martin was elected as the 78th Lord Mayor of Adelaide and held that position until November 2018. As Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin drove strong sustainability and technology agendas culminating in Carbon Neutral Adelaide 2025, Ten Gigabit Adelaide (one of the world’s fastest fibre optic data networks) and many Smart City initiatives.

He was a guest speaker at the Paris COP21 Sustainable Innovation Forum in December 2015 where he discussed Adelaide’s Incentives Scheme.  Martin continues to advocate that addressing climate change is both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity.