Marine and Coastal Scientist | Sedimentologist | Geomorphologist | Conservationist | Ecological Restoration Specialist
I have dedicated my life to protecting the environment, conserving native ecosystems, restoring habitats, and educating people on the importance of science
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Jemma has more than 14 years’ experience in marine and coastal science, coastal zone and environmental management, sediment and soils management and science, geomorphology, nearshore and coastal ecosystem regeneration, land management, facilities closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation, environmental assessments, and landscape architecture. She worked on a variety of projects during this time, gaining a comprehensive understanding of cross-sector environmental considerations, environmental rehabilitation, land management, environmental management, and coastal zone management in various parts of the world.
Jemma’s environmental conservation and rehabilitation works have included rehabilitation monitoring planning, soil characterisation and management, erosion and sediment control for rehabilitation sites, stabilisation and design of grossly disturbed landscapes, geomorphology assessments, revegetation planning, rehabilitation and environmental compliance assessment, risk assessment, closure planning, operational and construction environmental management planning, and hands-on conservation works, including planting, propagation and permaculture.
Jemma’s geomorphology, sedimentology and coastal works have included coastal environmental impact assessment from development, coral translocation and harvesting monitoring, mangrove restoration and re-colonisation works, beach management, coastal receiving environment monitoring and water quality assessment, psammosere environmental management and monitoring, estuarine management and science, and government and non-government coastal environmental research and governance. Jemma is a specialist in nearshore and coastal ecosystem management, tidal estuaries, geomorphology and sedimentology.
Jemma is a RABQSA/JASANZ (now Exemplar Global) certified lead environmental auditor with more than 7 years’ experience in conducting and leading environmental compliance and management system audits, and has completed over 50 audits during this time.
Jemma has approximately 8 years’ experience as a project manager, and has managed a range of projects, including small-scale mono-disciplinary projects between AU$10,000 and AU$100,000 in value, to complex multi-disciplinary projects between AU$100,000 to AU$2 million and greater in value. She is experienced in managing and negotiating various categories of contracts, and has developed strong relationships with a range of clients through the successful, open and transparent management of large, long-term environmental and water services contracts.
Jemma is an active member of the STEM and Women in Engineering community, and is passionate about equality in business and science. She is a member of numerous technical and industry organisations, and regularly volunteers her time to assist with environmental conservation, community education, and citizen science campaigns and programs.
Jemma is currently a confirmed PhD Candidate researching the impacts of mechanical sand bypassing on sediment dynamics in tidal entrances and estuaries. Jemma is passionate about research, regularly speaks at conferences, and contributes to journal articles and papers.
Jemma’s environmental conservation and rehabilitation works have included rehabilitation monitoring planning, soil characterisation and management, erosion and sediment control for rehabilitation sites, stabilisation and design of grossly disturbed landscapes, geomorphology assessments, revegetation planning, rehabilitation and environmental compliance assessment, risk assessment, closure planning, operational and construction environmental management planning, and hands-on conservation works, including planting, propagation and permaculture.
Jemma’s geomorphology, sedimentology and coastal works have included coastal environmental impact assessment from development, coral translocation and harvesting monitoring, mangrove restoration and re-colonisation works, beach management, coastal receiving environment monitoring and water quality assessment, psammosere environmental management and monitoring, estuarine management and science, and government and non-government coastal environmental research and governance. Jemma is a specialist in nearshore and coastal ecosystem management, tidal estuaries, geomorphology and sedimentology.
Jemma is a RABQSA/JASANZ (now Exemplar Global) certified lead environmental auditor with more than 7 years’ experience in conducting and leading environmental compliance and management system audits, and has completed over 50 audits during this time.
Jemma has approximately 8 years’ experience as a project manager, and has managed a range of projects, including small-scale mono-disciplinary projects between AU$10,000 and AU$100,000 in value, to complex multi-disciplinary projects between AU$100,000 to AU$2 million and greater in value. She is experienced in managing and negotiating various categories of contracts, and has developed strong relationships with a range of clients through the successful, open and transparent management of large, long-term environmental and water services contracts.
Jemma is an active member of the STEM and Women in Engineering community, and is passionate about equality in business and science. She is a member of numerous technical and industry organisations, and regularly volunteers her time to assist with environmental conservation, community education, and citizen science campaigns and programs.
Jemma is currently a confirmed PhD Candidate researching the impacts of mechanical sand bypassing on sediment dynamics in tidal entrances and estuaries. Jemma is passionate about research, regularly speaks at conferences, and contributes to journal articles and papers.
Qualifications
2015 (ongoing)
Confirmed Candidate – Doctor of Philosophy Civil Engineering and Science (Coastal Sedimentology and Geomorphology)
Griffith Centre for Coastal Management (part of the Cities Research Institute), School of Engineering, Griffith University, Australia
(Supervisors: Prof Rodger Tomlinson, Dr Nick Cartwright, and Dr Mark Gibbs)
2014
MSc (Environmental Science) Coastal Zone Management
University of Ulster, United Kingdom
(Supervisors - Professor Andrew Cooper and Dr Katherine Yates)
2012
Lead Auditor – Environmental Management and Environmental Management Systems
RABQSA / Exemplar Global (JASANZ), Australia
2008
MA(Hons) Landscape Architecture (Ecological Restoration and Sustainable Development)
Edinburgh University (formerly Edinburgh College of Art), United Kingdom
(Supervisor - Sally Butler)
2006
BA Landscape Architecture
University of Edinburgh (formerly Edinburgh College of Art), United Kingdom
Confirmed Candidate – Doctor of Philosophy Civil Engineering and Science (Coastal Sedimentology and Geomorphology)
Griffith Centre for Coastal Management (part of the Cities Research Institute), School of Engineering, Griffith University, Australia
(Supervisors: Prof Rodger Tomlinson, Dr Nick Cartwright, and Dr Mark Gibbs)
2014
MSc (Environmental Science) Coastal Zone Management
University of Ulster, United Kingdom
(Supervisors - Professor Andrew Cooper and Dr Katherine Yates)
2012
Lead Auditor – Environmental Management and Environmental Management Systems
RABQSA / Exemplar Global (JASANZ), Australia
2008
MA(Hons) Landscape Architecture (Ecological Restoration and Sustainable Development)
Edinburgh University (formerly Edinburgh College of Art), United Kingdom
(Supervisor - Sally Butler)
2006
BA Landscape Architecture
University of Edinburgh (formerly Edinburgh College of Art), United Kingdom
Employment History
March 2018 - Current
Coastal Networks Coordinator (Research Scientist)
TropWATER, James Cook University, Brisbane/Townsville, Australia
June 2017 – Current
Project Manager (Principal Coastal & Marine Scientist)
Gold Coast Water and Waste, City of Gold Coast Council, Gold Coast, Australia
January 2012 – June 2017
Senior Environmental Scientist
AECOM Australia, Brisbane, Australia
October 2010 – October 2011
Senior Environmental Consultant
Seventh Sense Environmental Consultancy and Studies, United Arab Emirates
June 2009 – September 2010
Environmental Manager
Farah Leisure Parks Management, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
September 2008 – April 2009
Landscape Architect
Green Concepts, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
May – December 2007
Environmental and Coastal Scientist
Maavahi Environmental NGO, Hithadhoo, Maldives
August 2006 – May 2007
Graduate Landscape Architect
Steven Pate Landscape Architects (now part of CARDNO), Brisbane, Australia
June - September 2005
Assistant Landscape Architect and Land Manager
Forestry Commission England (South East and South West Districts), United Kingdom
March & April 2005
Conservationist and Land Manager
Jatan Sacha NGO, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Coastal Networks Coordinator (Research Scientist)
TropWATER, James Cook University, Brisbane/Townsville, Australia
June 2017 – Current
Project Manager (Principal Coastal & Marine Scientist)
Gold Coast Water and Waste, City of Gold Coast Council, Gold Coast, Australia
January 2012 – June 2017
Senior Environmental Scientist
AECOM Australia, Brisbane, Australia
October 2010 – October 2011
Senior Environmental Consultant
Seventh Sense Environmental Consultancy and Studies, United Arab Emirates
June 2009 – September 2010
Environmental Manager
Farah Leisure Parks Management, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
September 2008 – April 2009
Landscape Architect
Green Concepts, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
May – December 2007
Environmental and Coastal Scientist
Maavahi Environmental NGO, Hithadhoo, Maldives
August 2006 – May 2007
Graduate Landscape Architect
Steven Pate Landscape Architects (now part of CARDNO), Brisbane, Australia
June - September 2005
Assistant Landscape Architect and Land Manager
Forestry Commission England (South East and South West Districts), United Kingdom
March & April 2005
Conservationist and Land Manager
Jatan Sacha NGO, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Associations and Board Positions
Current Positions:
Previous Positions:
Associations:
- Coast to Coast 2020 - Conference Co-convenor
- Treasurer - Women in Earth and Environmental Science Australasia (since 2018)
- Member - Research Scientist, TropWATER, James Cook University (since 2018)
- Board Member - Coastal and Marine Sector, South East Queensland Catchment Members Association (since 2017)
- Queensland Coastal Conference - Organising Committee Member and Scientific Committee Member 2017, Co-Convenor and Scientific Committee Member 2019
- Queensland Branch Chair - Australian Coastal Society (member since 2014; Chair since 2016)
- Committee Member - Griffith University Women in Engineering Committee (since 2016)
- Scientific Advisor and Board Member - ConnectOcean, Costa Rica (since 2015)
Previous Positions:
- Treasurer and Member, Central Queensland Mining Rehabilitation Group (2012 to 2018)
- Member RABQSA Certified Professionals (2012 to 2017)
- Mine Rehabilitation 2017, Member Conference Science Committee (Tom Farrell Institute, University of Newcastle) (2017)
Associations:
- Member, Coastal Education and Research Foundation (Current since 2016)
- Member, International Association of Sedimentologists (since 2014)
- Member, Australian Marine Sciences Association (since 2014)