Past Winner
2021 NSERC E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowships

Dr. Natalie Ban is a leading marine conservation scientist who mixes social and natural sciences to identify conservation priorities for coastal species and places. Co-creating projects with, and guided by, Indigenous partners, Ban’s research weaves Indigenous knowledge with biodiversity conservation to help devise effective strategies that balance the needs of human communities with the sustainability of marine populations. Her collaborations with Indigenous partners combines knowledge gathered through interviews with Elders and knowledge holders with recent scientific field and modelling data to understand changes in abundance through time. For example, her research on Dungeness crab and yelloweye rockfish, together with work by partners, resulted in changes to management strategies, including closures for commercial and recreational fishing in areas of importance to Indigenous peoples, and updates to the species-at-risk assessment report by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Ban’s research with other partners has also resulted in positive changes, such as consideration of climate change and social-ecological perspectives in a marine protected area network planning process.

In recognition of contributions toward advancing knowledge and practices for coastal conservation, Dr. Natalie Ban is awarded a 2021 NSERC E.W.R. Steacie Prize.

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