Who we are

At the CHAOS lab we use rigorous science to investigate the reciprocal relationships among human and aquatic communities around the world. We have a special focus on conducting research to support Indigenous and rural communities, as well as work that focuses on urban ecologies and human-nature relationships.

Our research encompasses climate resilience, food and land sovereignty, Indigenous governance, historical ecology, and urban freshwater restoration, combining field ecology, remote sensing, microbial and genetic analyses, and participatory social science methods. By using these approaches, we reveal how ecological change and human decision-making are inseparable, whether in coastal fisheries, mangrove forests, coral reefs, or urban waterways.

Central to our work is a commitment to justice-driven science. Through our important partnerships, we aim to generate actionable insights that both advance ecological understanding and strengthen community resilience and equitable access to ecosystem services in a rapidly changing climate.