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Geoffrey Wescott

Honorary Research Fellow, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University

Geoff's research interests are in the area of Environmental Policy and its implementation. In particular marine and coastal policy, planning and management have been a long term (25 years plus) focus along with national parks and marine protected areas.

Geoff has used the coastal environment in Victoria as a long term case study of the development, implementation and review of coastal policy based on the international concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

After completing a Masters in Zoology at the University of Melbourne I switched to a Masters of Nature Conservation at University College London before being Director of the Conservation Council of Victoria (now Environment Victoria) for three years. Returning to academia in 1984 I was the inaugural Lecturer in Environmental Management at Victoria College becoming Head of Department of Heritage and Natural Resources when the College merged into Deakin University.

I completed my PhD part time during this period on Victorian Coastal Policy which led me to be appointed Chair of the Coastal Reference Group which recommended the basis of the Coastal Management Act 1995. Over the period 1984 I have held many government positions which researching and teaching environmental policy, planning and management full time at Deakin - Melbourne.

These include Chair of the National Parks Advisory Council, Chair of the steering committee of the Marine and Coastal Community Network, Deputy Chair of Parks Victoria, member of the Victorian Coastal Council, National Oceans Advisory Group among others. Recently finishing up full time work I am now Deputy Chair of the Zoos Victoria Board and a member of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council.

Experience

  • –present
    Associate Professor of Environment, Deakin University

Education

  • 1989 
    Deakin University, PhD
  • 1977 
    University of London, Masters of Conservation
  • 1977 
    University College London , Diploma of Nature Conservation
  • 1976 
    University of Melbourne, Masters of Science
  • 1974 
    University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Honours

Fellow of Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand