MARINE SCIENCE WITH IMPACT

AMSA 2026 Evening Plenary

Date: Tuesday 1 September 2026 | Time: from 5:00PM | Location: QT Canberra

To help Australia’s marine scientists deliver impactful science, we are partnering with Science and Technology Australia and Science into Action to deliver our evening plenary and networking event on Tuesday, 1st of September at QT Canberra. This plenary session will bring together marine scientists, policymakers, and senior government officials to explore the critical intersection between marine science research and evidence-based policy development and practice. The event will also provide the opportunity to engage with leading marine experts on key and emerging topics, such as the SA algal bloom, water quality, marine protected area management, the offshore wind energy industry, climate adaptation, and fisheries sustainability and aquaculture, to name a few.

Program:

  • 5:00 – 5:30 PM - Guests arrive

  • 5:30 – 6:15 PM - Panel discussion and challenge – “Impact from Marine Science”

  • 6:15 – 8:15 PM - Poster session with drinks service & canapés

Plenary Co-Host and Partner

Panellists

Shaun Barclay | Branch Head, Marine and Island Parks, DCCEEW

Shaun leads Parks Australia's Marine and Island Parks Branch, which includes 60 Australian Marine Parks that cover 43% of Australia’s marine environment, in addition to Christmas Island National Park, Pulu Keeling National Park and Norfolk Island National Park. Shaun has held leadership positions in several government agencies for more than 20 years, in roles focused on: • marine and terrestrial protected area management and environment regulation. • strategic planning for natural and cultural resource management and climate change adaptation. • program development and collaborative partnerships between Traditional Owners, the science community, government, and industry. Shaun is passionate about addressing the threatening processes impacting environmental, social, and cultural values through government policy and program delivery.  

Dr Stuart Minchin | CEO and Director of Meteorology, Bureau of Meteorology

Dr Stuart Minchin joined the Bureau in November 2025. From 2020, he was Director-General of the Pacific Community, a science and technology for development organisation representing 27 member countries and territories across the Pacific region. Previously, Stuart was Chief of the Environmental Geoscience Division of Geoscience Australia, a centre of expertise in the Australian Government for environmental earth science issues and the custodian of national environmental geoscience data, information, and knowledge. He has also held senior roles with the CSIRO and Victorian Government organisations. Stuart is a world leader in digital earth observation services and has represented Australia in key international forums. He has been the Principal Delegate to both the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management Group of Experts and the Intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations. He has also previously served on the Australian Space Industry Expert Reference Group and led the team responsible for ocean floor mapping for the Malaysian Airlines MH370 search. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with First Class Honours and a PhD from the Water Studies Centre and Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology at Monash University.

Dr Chels Marshall | Senior Research Fellow - Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab, Deakin University

Dr Chels Marshall is a cultural systems ecologist belonging to Gumbaynggirr Jagun from the Baga Baga/Ngambaa (Northern NSW). Dr Marshall is a Cultural Systems Ecologist, Indigenous Research Methodologies and & Cultural Biocultural Systems Researcher · Flying Fish Blue Pty Ltd. An associate of the Indigenous Knowledges Systems (IKS) Lab of the NIKIRI Institute Deakin University. Implementing cultural ecological knowledge and Aboriginal science frameworks to create virtual and physical environments for sharing knowledge through art, science and Indigenous metaphysics.

She has extensive experience in environmental science and marine science and management a PhD in Traditional Knowledge Systems and climate change in the Pacific, International Governance (Australian National University). She holds a Masters in Marine Science and Management at the National Marine Science Centre /University of New England on Spatial Analysis of Indigenous Marine Associations in Gumbaynggirr Nation. Chels also has Degrees in Wildlife Management and Cultural Resource Management.

Prof Martina Doblin | CEO and Director of Sydney Institute of Marine Science

Martina is the CEO of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, a partnership between four Sydney universities (UTS, UNSW, Macquarie and the University of Sydney) and the Leader of the Productive Coasts team at the University of Technology Sydney. She has been a practising marine scientist in the higher-education, NFP and government sector in Australia and the US for over 20 years, leading highly successful research teams and building supportive working environments. Martina is currently appointed to numerous high-level governance and management roles in professional organisations, including as non-executive director of Alluvium Consulting. Her work focuses on translating marine and climate science into practical outcomes that support healthy oceans and seascapes, resilient coastal communities and sustainable ocean industries. She is an advocate for diversity in STEM and is passionate about science with impact.

Master of Ceremonies

Dr Anthony Boxshall | Principal and Founder of Science into Action

Anthony is an experienced executive, board member and science leader with expertise in climate adaptation, environmental and conservation science. He is a former National President of AMSA. He has a PhD in science, is a qualified board director and a Melbourne Enterprise Fellow at the University of Melbourne. As executive lead for EPA Victoria’s science capability for many years, Anthony knows how critical a science-based strategy is for an organisation in a complex organisational, emergency, media and political environment. And as the inaugural chair of the Marine and Coastal Council in Victoria, he understands the climate adaptation challenges decision makers are facing. In the complex situations in which we all must make our decisions, Anthony helps people to embrace that complexity, plot pathways to impact, and actively co-design products, services and future states. He builds capability in people and helps leaders to build trust with their stakeholders. As the co-creator of the Authentic Co-design and Science Impact Boot Camps, he has found innovative ways to help decision makers and leaders put science into action in their own field. Finally, Anthony is a mentor and facilitator who aims to leave his clients better off, with the knowledge, skills and the strategy to go out on their own.