Josheena Naggea

Josheena is a third year doctoral candidate supporting marine governance in small island states which are facing current impacts of climate change. Her focal area is in the Western Indian Ocean, where she is exploring innovative ways of sustainably managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Republic of Mauritius, her home country. Her research is situated at the nexus of political ecology and marine policy and focuses on adaptive management of marine protected areas, community inclusion, and the valorization of natural and cultural heritage in marine resource management. Josheena hopes to use her research on MPAs to further understanding of the complexities of local environmental stewardship efforts and environmental identity in a post-colonial context.

Prior to coming to Stanford, she worked as a Program Manager for a marine conservation NGO in Mauritius, where she spearheaded several environmental awareness campaigns, including a marine Eco-Guide certification program for tourist operators around a marine park, a national campaign to promote eco-conscious tourism and was actively involved in the first national closure of octopus fisheries, a pioneering initiative led by multiple stakeholder groups. She is motivated to pursue her current research because of her personal connections in her communities of study.