University of Western Australia
About us
WHAT WE DO
About the UWA Oceans 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 PEOPLE
Meet the OI Team
Associate Professor Julian Partridge
Director
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 and administrative experience at world-leading universities in the UK and Australia, much of Julian’s work has linked engineering with biology.
Robert Pemberton
Business Support Manager
Robert has over a decade of 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.
Tina Zhang
Communications Officer
Tina is a science communicator with a broad background that includes chemical engineering, materials science, linguistics and astronomy. She is passionate about inspiring wonder for the natural world through engaging and impactful stories. She has worked for Scitech, the Girls in Engineering program, OceanWorks, and DPIRD.
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
Non Executive Director MinEX CRC and Lions Eye Institute
Erica has 45 years experience in the minerals and petroleum industries in Australia. For 3.5 years, until mid-2020, she was Chair of NOPSEMA and held a number of NED roles in both ASX-listed and research focused companies. She has, over the past 10 years, been a member of a number of Federal Government working parties and task forces.
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. He was VP for research for 13 years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Professor Carmen Lawrence
Professor 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. Now a professor in the Law School at UWA, John specialises in oil and gas law and is the co-author of Australia's leading text book in the area as well as numerous articles on oil and gas regulation. His current focus is how Australia can improve the sustainability of offshore oil and gas operations and minimise their impact on oceans.
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.
OUR EXPERTS
Bright minds helping us solve
big problems
