Brooks | SCAR

Cassandra Brooks is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. An interdisciplinary engaged scholar, she works across marine science, environmental policy, and science communication largely focused on Antarctic conservation. This includes research on life history and connectivity of Antarctic toothfish and silverfish. Cassandra is also an accomplished science communicator, and was a core member of The Last Ocean, a grand-scale media project focused on protecting the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

To pursue expertise in the policy realm, Cassandra completed a PhD at Stanford University, studying Antarctic marine protection. She serves as science faculty for Homeward Bound, a ground-breaking global women’s leadership initiative. Since 2012, Cassandra participates in meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), currently on the SCAR delegation as the Deputy Chief Officer of SCAR’s Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System.

Cassandra is an international collaborator on the Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future project. She recently received an NSF CAREER award to study ecology of Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish. She has received a Switzer Environmental Leadership Award, Society of Women Geographers Jackie Ronne Award, Explorer’s Club 50 honor, and the Association for Environmental Studies & Sciences Early Career Award.

Current research projects / interests:

Marine Conservation in the Southern Ocean, including Marine Protected Areas
Antarctic Marine Biodiversity
Life history & Connectivity of Antarctic fishes, especially for the Antarctic toothfish
Research & Monitoring in the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area
International Ocean Governance

Keywords: Marine Protected Areas, Ross Sea, Antarctic toothfish, Antarctic governance, science policy, science communication