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  • Kaitlyn Hawkins

    Memorial University Kaitlyn Hawkins Research Assistant (WP4) More to come.

  • Khaled Helal

    Memorial University Khaled Helal Doctoral Candidate (WP1) I am currently a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Memorial University, having graduated in Egypt in 2012 as a Mechatronics Engineer working on mobile robotics. I am currently contributing to Work Package 1 at the FOCI. My research focuses on autonomous underwater gliders for passive acoustic survey missions. I investigate their potential as an alternative to stationary passive acoustic observers for monitoring ocean ambient noise, marine life, and anthropogenic noise. In addition, I am engaged in the study of the relationship between vessel noise signatures and their structure and air-borne noise. These studies will contribute to the field of designing more quiet vessels.

  • Work Package 8 | FOCI

    RETURN TO WORK AFTER WORK INJURY OR ILLNESS: CHALLENGES FOR MARINE AND COASTAL WORKERS IN ATLANTIC CANADA (WP8) FOCI’s Work Package on ‘Return to Work after Work Injury or Illness: Challenges for Marine and Coastal Workers in Atlantic Canada’ carries out research activities that lay the foundations for the development of an evidence-based strategy to design infrastructures to address the barriers and challenges for return-to-work (RTW) among injured and ill workers in changing marine and coastal industries across Atlantic Canada. This Work Package employs a disability inclusion lens to understand the unique complexities of work disability experienced by marine and coastal workers within three important industries in Atlantic Canada: fish harvesting, seafood processing and offshore oil and gas. It considers diverse experiences including those of women, youth and Indigenous workers across these industries within its planned activities. MEET THE TEAM Kimberley Cullen Lead Vicki Kristman Co-Investigator Desai Shan Co-Investigator HIGHLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL (HQP) Robert Ndum Research Assistant Current Jacob Sargent Research Assistant 2024-25 Contessa Small Research Assistant 2023-25 OUR PARTNERS

  • Morgan Manuel

    Memorial University Morgan Manuel Research Assistant (WP4) More to come.

  • Research & Educational Resources | FOCI

    Sustainability Safety Inclusion Integration Research and Educational Resources Toolkits The Foresighting Toolkit: Empowering Coastal Communities to Develop Long-term Strategies for Success aims to empower and enable practitioners and decision-makers within coastal communities by providing community-inclusive resources for their long-term strategic development. The PLACE Dialogues is a collective approach to transforming communities through bottom-up strategies and home-grown solutions. This infographic is a resource for academics and community leaders who are interested in teaming up to co-create a PLACE Dialogues. Case Studies in Community Resilience Charles, J. (2025). Resisting Rural Resettlement on the Burin Peninsula: A PLACE Case Study of Placentia West Development Association . Charles, J. (2023). A PLACE Framework of Community Resilience Case Study: St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc . Charles, J. (2021). A PLACE Framework of Community Resilience Case Study: The Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation . Charles, J. (2021). A PLACE Framework of Community Resilience Case Study: Shorefast . Educational Videos Produced by the Ocean School, through its collaboration with FOCI and Homarus Inc . , Life of a Fisher , explores the co-existence between fishers and North Atlantic Right Whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Coming soon: Letters to Jasmine a short film on equity in the fishing industry. Coming Soon! The PLACE Dialogues | Transforming communitie s focuses on using the PLACE model as a community development tool.

  • Research Outputs | FOCI

    Photo by Ritche Perez RESEARCH OUTPUTS Sustainability Safety Inclusion Integration Each of the following pages provide a list of the research outputs completed by FOCI Research Work Package teams. PUBLICATIONS REPORTS & BRIEFS BOOKS & BOOK CHAPTERS THESES & DISSERTATIONS RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES P OPULAR MEDIA WORKSHOPS, PUBLIC TALKS & WEBINARS CEATIVE WORKS & AUDIO-VISUAL

  • Popular Media | FOCI

    Sustainability Safety Inclusion Integration POPULAR MEDIA Online Articles Brenton, J. & Slawinski, N. (2024, January 14). How to strengthen community resilience in a world plagued by crises. The Conversation . https://theconversation.com/how-to-strengthen-community-resilience-in-a-world-plagued-by-crises-220208 CBC News. (2023, September 21). Playwright Robert Chafe's newest work highlights the resilience of coastal Newfoundland. CBC News . https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/robert-chafe-taking-on-water-1.6972954 CBC News (2023, July 20). Record-high temperatures in NL should ‘sound alarm bells’ for other climate impacts, says climatologist. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/joel-finnis-hot-weather-nl-1.6912097 Crocker, D. (2021, August 1). Long-term care residents featured in outdoor photo exhibit in Corner Brook. [Text; Marc Losier]. CBC News . https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/long-term-care-residents-featured-in-outdoor-photo-exhibit-in-corner-brook-100618812/ Furst, B. (2021, December 12). How a St. John’s willow tree sparked an exploration of urban forests, and personal histories. CBC News . https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/under-the-willow-tree-bojan-furst-atlantic-voice-1.6263988 Green, J. (2023, August 22). ‘Love, risk, resilience’ Duo Concertante, Robert Chafe create new work to explore N.L.'s changing ocean. The Gazette . https://gazette.mun.ca/research/love-risk-resilience/ Gustavsson M. (2021, April 28). Mot en rettferdig og bærekraftig blå økonomi? [Towards an equitable and sustainable Blue Economy?]. Nationen. Faglig Snakka . https://www.nationen.no/motkultur/faglig-snakka/en-rettferdig-og-baerekraftig-bla-okonomi Grudić, J. (2021, August 8). How a student photography project brought a community lens to long-term care. CBC News . https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/picturing-community-corner-brook-1.6127242 Head, J. (2023, September 1). MUN professors upset that ‘literally days before term’ faculty are being asked to open their homes to students with nowhere to live. The Telegram . https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/mun-professors-upset-that-literally-days-before-term-faculty-are-being-asked-to-open-their-homes-to-students-with-nowhere-to-live-100887938 Holmes, K. (2022, September 29). Expect more storms like Fiona as the climate continues to change, says MUN climatologist [Broadcast and Text; Joel Finnis]. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/finnis-fiona-climate-change-1.6598388 Jackson, P. (2022, September 27). 'Record-breaking' post-tropical storm Fiona should be a wake-up call for action, climatologists say. [Text; Joel Finnis]. Saltwire News. https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/record-breaking-post-tropical-storm-fiona-should-be-a-wakeup-call-for-action-climatologists-say-100777021 Mullin, M. (2022, July 21). NL is getting hotter. As Europe bakes, experts paint a picture of climate change at home . CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-hot-summer-climate-1.6526560 Roberts, D. (2022, August 15). Climate change impacts at the fore for south coast communities after central Newfoundland fires . CBC News . https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-albans-miawpukek-climate-change-1.6550001 Roberts, D. (2021, October 16). Expo aims to help newcomers feel at home in St. John’s. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-johns-expo-newcomers-1.6213318 Searle, Aimee. (2023). APC’s 24th Annual Fisheries Conference & Awards Banquet and Ceremony. Mi’kmaq Maliseet Nations News . https://www.mmnn.ca/2023/03/apcs-24th-annual-fisheries-conference-awards-banquet-and-ceremony/ Smellie, S. (2022, August 11). Newfoundland wildfires could be a sign of what climate change has in store for the province . Toronto Star . https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/08/11/newfoundland-wildfires-could-be-sign-of-what-climate-change-has-in-store-for-province.html Slawinski, N. & Smith, W. (2020, May 26). Fogo Island shows how social enterprises can help rebuild communities post-coronavirus. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/fogo-island-shows-how-social-enterprises-can-help-rebuild-communities-post-coronavirus-138182 Slawinski, N. & Cranston, J. (2020, April 30). The role of social enterprise in a post-pandemic N.L. The Gazette. https://gazette.mun.ca/campus-and-community/well-positioned/ Smith, W. & Slawinski, N. (2020, April 16). What can the COVID-19 crisis teach us about the importance of geographical communities to enable human connection? Responsible Research in Business and Management . https://www.rrbm.network/what-can-the-covid-19-crisis-teach-us-about-the-importance-of-geographical-communities-to-enable-human-connectionwendy-smith-natalie-slawinski Broadcast and Podcasts Aastrup, M.L. & Pilgrim, R. (2022, October 23). PLACE Dialogues in Norris Point [Radio Broadcast]. Voice of Bonne Bay.  Adam Walsh (2023, August 23). Talking climate change impacts and policy [Radio Broadcast; Joel Finnis]. The Signal, CBC Radio NL. Ariyana, G. (2024, May 29). Housing suitability for international students [Video Broadcast; Yolande Pottie-Sherman]. CBC. Barrett, H. (2023, August 5). The Tuckamore Festival is Taking on Water [Radio Broadcast; Nancy Dahn & Robert Chafe]. Weekend AM with Heather Barrett. Best, A. (2022, August 26). Radio interview with David Lane & participants of Gros Morne Puppet Workshop and Residency. Voice of Bonne Bay. Bradshaw, D. (2021, July 8). Corner Brook gallery hosts unique art exhibition [Video Broadcast; Marc Losier, Alli Johnston & Emily Anderson]. NTV News. Brenton, J. (2022, June 7). Social enterprise and community development [Radio Broadcast]. Voice of Bonne Bay. CBC (2021, August 2). Interview about Picturing Community exhibition [Video Broadcast, segment starts at 10:45minutes; Marc Losier & Candace Roberts Curlew]. CBC Here & Now. https://youtu.be/SQ3idG-mTuM CBC Halifax Information Morning/CBC PEI (2021, February). Discussion on FOCI WP6 Perceptions of Environmental Change survey [Radio Broadcast; Karen Foster]. Dobson, D. (2024, April 29). Revitalizing PLACE through Social Enterprise with Dr. Natalie Slawinski [Podcast Episode]. Conversations with Dr. David Dobson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa_1IQz0n4g Doran, B. (Director & Producer), & McIntosh, J. (videographer) (2024, December 2). Taking on Water [TV Broadcast of documentary]. NTV. https://ntvplus.ca/programs/taking-on-water-839457?category_id=204355 Hillier, Bernice. (2022, October 14). The PLACE Dialogues in Norris Point, Part 1 [Radio Broadcast; Natalie Slawinski ]. CBC Newfoundland Morning. Hillier, Bernice. (2022, October 14). The PLACE Dialogues in Norris Point, Part 2 [Radio Broadcast; Joan Cranston]. CBC Newfoundland Morning. Holmes, K. (2022, September 28). MUN Climatologist on the devastation Fiona has left behind [Broadcast; Joel Finnis]. CBC St. John’s Morning Show. Knott, C. (Host). (2022). Indigenous Feminism and the Sea with Sherry Pictou (Episode 8) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). (2022). Feminism, Environmental & Climate Justice, & the Law with Sara Seck (Episode 7). [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). (2022). Feminism and Ocean Governance in the Arctic with Tahnee Prior (Episode 6) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). (2022). Feminism & Human relationships with the sea with Annet Pauwelussen (Episode 5) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). (2022). Fishing, feminism, & community with Kimberly Orren (Episode 4) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). (2021). Fish, feminisms, and equity & justice on the ground with activist Kerri Neil (Episode 3) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). Insights on the past and the future of fishy feminisms with Dr. Barbara Neis (Episode 2) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Knott, C. (Host). Thinking through fishy feminisms with Dr. Madeleine Gustavsson (Episode 1) [Audio Podcast Episode]. Fishy Feminisms. https://www.fishyfeminist.com/podcast Murphy, B. (2023, August 1). Housing experiences of international students and newcomers [Radio Broadcast; Yolande Pottie-Sherman]. VOCM Mornings. Penney, B. (2023, July 30). Local research dives into housing experiences of international students, newcomers [Video Broadcast; Yolande Pottie-Sherman, Maryam Foroutan & Siyi Zhou]. NTV News. Sharvendiran, R. (2022, January 13). Urban forests [Radio Broadcast; Erin Pearson]. St. John’s Morning Show. Sharvendiran, R. (2021, October). Housing experiences of immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents living in Newfoundland and Labrador [Radio Broadcast; Yolande Pottie-Sherman]. St. John’s Morning Show. Stokes, C. (2022, July). Too hot? NL might have to get used to it [Broadcast; Joel Finnis]. CBC NL News. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2055407683536 Thompson, S. (Host). (2025, March). Mathematical Modelling Maritime Conditions for Search and Rescue in Remote Regions with Dr. Robert Brown (Episode 7) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xDHWhUWaYCwJ8aKRlZcwD Thompson, S. (Host). (2024, December). Improving Safety and reducing the Environmental Footprint of Marine Vehicles: Autonomous Underwater Gliders for Passive Acoustic Survey Missions with Dr. Khaled Helal (Episode 6) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rCWK1Ayulm8eISXRliNex Thompson, S. (Host). (2024, September). The Role of Place-Based Social Enterprise in Revitalizing Newfoundland’s Rural Communities with Dr. Ario Seto (Episode 5) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Ezj0gIqH1EyT3jdMi4x87 Thompson, S. (Host). (2023, May). Foresighting Future Oceans: Bringing Sustainability to Future Generations Now with Dr. Umme Kulsum (Episode 4) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/show/2OMEypS6Q01S64Zp9eCa5p Thompson (Graham), L. (2023, May). Knowledge Mobilization and Transdisciplinary Research with Interdisciplinary PhD Candidate and FOCI Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator Sheridan R. Thompson (Episode 3) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3jDKzT2wV70FDg3THAu8yJ Thompson, S. (Host). (2023, March). Climate Change in Atlantic Canada and the Arts: Melody and the Fishes with playwright with Sharon King-Campbell (Episode 2.) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5A0pXgEDQdIDxqaHcAHMSt Thompson, S. (Host). (2023, January). Newfoundland: Outport Infrastructure and Architecture in the Face of a Rapidly Changing Climate with Architect, Dr. Robert Mellin. (Episode 1) [Audio Podcast Episode]. FOCI Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2oGuRXuic6hJZwrzuPtm7e VOCM (2022, July 21). European heat waves becoming more frequent due to climate change says MUN climatologist [Radio Broadcast; Joel Finnis]. https://vocm.com/2022/07/21/european-heat-waves-becoming-more-frequent-due-to-climate-change-says-mun-climatologist/ VOCM (2022, September 28). MUN Climatologist says storm should force discussion on climate change [Radio Broadcast; Joel Finnis]. VOCM Radio. https://vocm.com/2022/09/28/mun-climatologist-says-storm-should-force-discussion-on-climate-change/ Walsh, A. (2022, August 31). Panel Discussion with Crosstalk: Electric Bike through Labrador and Panel on Climate Change [Radio Broadcast; Joel Finnis]. CBC Radio: Crosstalk. Wilhelm, H. (2022, January 28). Blowing a gale: Two NL geographers on provincial wind records and what they tell us [Broadcast and Text; Joel Finnis]. CBC Radio. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-geographers-provincial-wind-records-1-6328075-1.6328075

  • Robert Mellin

    Robert Mellin Co-investigator (WP9), Advisory Committee member Robert Mellin is an Associate Professor (Post-Retirement) in the Faculty of Engineering, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture, McGill University. He has been a registered architect since 1978 and has received numerous awards for his commitment to preserving the built heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador, such as his efforts in Tilting to preserve and restore houses, fishing stages and vegetable root cellars. Among his many professional affiliations and distinctions (see 2-page bio-sketch) are his election to the Royal Canadian Academy (R.C.A.) (2002), a Doctor of Letters honoris causa, Memorial University (2015), appointments to the Order of Canada (2014) and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador (2018), Past-President of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (an honorary organization of over 700 established professional artists and designers across Canada), and a Fellow of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada.

  • Obasanjo Joseph Oyedele

    Memorial University Obasanjo Joseph Oyedele Research Assistant (IWP3) Obasanjo Joseph Oyedele is a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He got his first Ph.D. on climate change communication to farmers in Nigeria from the Department of Communication and Language Arts University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he also had his first and second degrees (B.A. & M.A.), and he was a Teaching Assistant for five years. Furthermore, he was a research assistant to two lead researchers on grants won by the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. Also in Nigeria, he was a lecturer and researcher at Bowen University Iwo, Osun State, and Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, before he came to Canada in 2022 for another Ph.D. in environmental sociology. His research interests are in environment, social movements, development, climate change, health, and media. He has contributed some publications on these cross-disciplinary areas to scholarship and attended research training, summer schools and conferences both in Nigeria and abroad.

  • Mohannad AlRefai

    Memorial University Mohannad AlRefai Co-op Student (WP3) Mohannad AlRefai is a senior Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering student at Memorial University St. John's campus. Born in Egypt, Mohannad would often visit the Suez canal as well as other coastal parts of Egypt, where his passion for naval architecture grew. Mohannad has previous co-op work experience in MUN where he was a research assistant for Dr. Mikko from Aalto University, who was conducting research on ice-ship interaction. Additionally, Mohannad had a co-op work term at local start-up Enaimco. With an expected graduation in Winter 2025, Mohannad aspires to contribute significantly to the field of naval architecture, whether in the field of academia or otherwise.

  • Mohammad Zarrin Mehr

    Marine Institute, Memorial University Mohammad Zarrin Mehr Master's Student (WP3) Mohammad is an experienced safety and risk engineer who has been involved in some mega-sized onshore, offshore, FLNG, and FPSO projects worldwide. He is a master’s student in the Maritime Studies Department of the Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research interests encompass marine and offshore safety studies, and his current research focuses on Search and Rescue (SAR) in maritime emergency situations. This research allows for a detailed investigation of the factors with the highest impact on SAR effectiveness. This was accomplished by developing a new macro-scale generalized SAR model to simulate the main activities within the SAR system in Eastern Canada and the Arctic. This model uses discrete event simulation to represent the SAR operations and a probabilistic Monte Carlo approach to incorporate uncertainties in performance data for the different components of the system. Through his research, it is possible that strategic decision-making for SAR resource allocation and configuration can be improved. The objective nature of this model enables SAR planning and asset positioning to be possible, depending on the likelihood and type of incidents, as well as the resources in different regions which may have different needs.

  • Umme Kulsum

    Grenfell Campus, Memorial University Umme Kulsum Postdoctoral Fellow (IWP1) Dr Umme Kulsum is a Postdoctoral Fellow in FOCI’s IWP #1 , conducting research that will undertake methodological comparison and advance application of ‘foresighting’ and ‘full-spectrum sustainability scenario comparison’ for future ocean and coastal infrastructures. She will play a leadership role in contributing to the synthesis framework, practical toolkit for coastal community and other practitioners. She is involved in engaging the Consortium’s ‘trainee caucus’, and the international Community of Practice organized by the work package. Kulsum in her most recent activities in Bangladesh, as National Climate Change and Risk Management Expert in Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has supported Department of Fisheries (DoF) on community-based climate resilient fisheries and aquaculture. She has facilitated climate risk and vulnerability assessment, developed manual, conducted training on integrated climate information services, climate resilience and ecosystem approaches to fisheries and aquaculture. She is an environmental science graduate from Khulna University, Bangladesh. Her interdisciplinary doctoral research has focused on participatory scenario-based approaches in bridging coastal community adaptation with adaptive delta management under uncertain climate and socioeconomic change. This research was in collaborative ‘Adaptive Delta Management’ project at Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology (Tudelft), in Netherlands, Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), Bangladesh University of Technology (BUET) in Bangladesh and other international groups. She has a long experience in coastal community development, disaster risk management, food and livelihood security. Currently, Kulsum is working under the supervision of Asoc Prof Paul Foley and Dr Rob Stephenson (in FOCI) to integrate and apply the concepts of foresighting and full-spectrum sustainability, to further the aims and objectives of the wider FOCI project working groups.

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.

To learn more about Memorial University's Strategic Framework for Indigenization please visit the Office of Indigenous Affairs.

Future Ocean and Coastal Infrastructures is administered in partnership by the St. John’s and Grenfell Campuses of Memorial University 

Research funding was provided by the Ocean Frontier Institute, through an award from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

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