About the Institute
The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges. We work with local, state and federal governments, industry and business, research institutions and the community to help generate solutions towards the sustainable use of ocean resources.
Our Mission
We provide innovative and effective solutions to challenges facing the world’s oceans.
Our Strategy
The Ocean Institute’s mission is to draw on our world-leading marine research to tackle issues of national and global significance. We are uniquely placed to provide ocean solutions to real-world challenges, through the breadth and depth of our marine expertise, our state-of-the-art facilities and geographic reach.
Our People
Oceans Institute External Advisory Board
Made up of senior representatives from major research institutions, industry and government, the Oceans Institute External Advisory Board provides independent, high-level advice on industry and policy needs, as well as trends in the Indian Ocean region, to guide our strategic planning.
Mr Jock Clough
Chair, UWA Oceans Institute Advisory Board
Jock has an extensive background in the engineering, finance and aquaculture industries. He is also an advisory board member at The Nature Conservancy (Australia), is on the advisory committee of the WA Maritime Museum and is a co-trustee of The Jock Clough Marine Foundation.
Dr Erica Smyth AC
Chair, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority (NOPSEMA) Ministerial Advisory Board
Erica has 45 years of experience in the mineral and petroleum industries. She is the Chair of NOPSEMA and holds several non-executive director roles. Erica has recently been appointed as Interim Chair of the MI4 CRC bid.
Dr Larry Madin
Senior Science Advisor, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
An American marine biologist, Larry began researching plankton in the 1970s and was a pioneer of in situ methods, including open ocean SCUBA diving and the use of submersibles and remote vehicles. Larry has served on over 70 ocean expeditions across the globe.
Professor Carmen Lawrence
Professorial Emerita, School of Psychology, UWA
After training as a research psychologist, Carmen entered politics in 1986, serving at both state and federal levels for 21 years. After shifting to federal politics in 1994 she became Minister for Health and Human Services and Minister assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women. Carmen retired from politics in 2007.
Professor John Chandler
Co-Director, Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law, UWA
John has specialised in mining and petroleum development law for more than 30 years, as a partner in leading law firms such as Freehills, and as a company director. John has been involved in projects including the Argyle Diamond Project, the Channar iron ore mine and the Bayu-Undan oil and gas project.
Adjunct Professor Luke Smith
Chief Environmental Scientist, Woodside Energy
Luke has worked on several major oil and gas developments both in Australia and internationally. He has over 20 years of experience in managing large marine research programs focused on understanding oil and gas-based environmental science and management and has authored two books.
The Oceans Institute Team
Acting Director – Associate Professor Julian Partridge
Julian is a marine biologist with internationally recognised expertise in animal sensory systems and deep-sea biology. With over 30 years of research and teaching experience at world-leading universities in the UK and Australia, much of Julian’s work has linked engineering with biology. Julian’s experience in science and business development enhance UWA’s marine research collaborations and capabilities.
Business Support Manager – Robert Pemberton
Robert has 9 years’ experience in marine science and business development, having worked across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. He has worked on metocean projects for the oil and gas industry, offshore wind and tidal energy projects, port developments, and government coastal monitoring programmes. Robert holds a Bachelor of Oceanography degree from the University of Southampton, UK.
Executive Assistant –Dirima Cuthbert
Dirima is an ethnographer, researcher, and project manager with a BSc (Hons Anthropology), BDes (Architecture) and an almost finished Masters Degree in Environmental Design. In her work supporting the Oceans Institute, Dirima combines her passion for sustainable futures with a deep love for being in, under, on and beside the ocean. As OI Executive Assistant, Dirima brings a range of valuable skills and expertise to the OI core team.
Contact Us
The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Find us on campus
Ocean Marine Research Centre, Building 453 (Corner of Fairway and Fairway Entrance 4).
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