Dr Tavis Potts

Dr Tavis Potts worked at the Smith School from May to August 2009. He is a geographer interested particularly in the governance and management of the oceans.

He is currently researching the links between biodiversity conservation policy and marine industries such as navigation, fisheries and energy. He is also looking at the relationship between country borders and the accelerating race for Arctic resources.

His research will build on recent publications (Potts & Schofield, 2008) The Arctic: Current Legal Developments, and fits well with the multi-disciplinary nature of the Smith School and its work to involve business and governments in the search for solutions to this century’s global environmental challenges.

Dr Potts is a lecturer in marine policy at the Scottish Association for Marine Science. His previous studies have covered the international governance of the oceans particularly the North and South Poles, and the European Union’s involvement in the regulation of oceans.

He is interested in the evolution of oceans’ governance in a changing Arctic climate, the conservation of marine biodiversity, resource management, and the role of science in policy development.

Tavis convened a 2 day workshop in August 2009 on “Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Artic Governance”