Gurpreet Padda
Marine & Fisheries Social Scientist
Sector: Environmental Justice
Gurpreet is a marine and fisheries social scientist, first ethnically minoritised person on be appointed onto Norwich City Council cabinet as portfolio holder for Equalities and Social Justice, first woman of colour to be appointed onto the Broads National Park Authority board. She also leads marine and fisheries evidence at the Marine Management Organisation. With over twenty years in a career spanning government, academia, consultancy and activism, Gurpreet uses her lived experiences to bring justice-centred leadership to ocean sciences. She is deeply committed to reshaping access routes into marine spaces for the next generation, particularly for those like her, from racially minoritised and working class backgrounds.
Black Ocean Citizens (BLOC) was borne out of a moment of deep frustration at a conference where people of colour, particularly black and brown scientists and representatives from environmental - non government organisations were not only underrepresented but misrepresented in presentations. Public talks in marine and fisheries sciences lacked meaningful inclusion, exposing deeply entrenched racial biases held in these spaces.
Founded with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Access at its core, we exist to provide a platform for underrepresented and underserved people of colour to engage and shape ocean sciences, governance and advocacy.
We provide a UK community of practice for people of colour to share marine and fisheries science, provide think-tank research on race and the marine and fisheries space, engage with educators to inspire a new generation of ocean advocates.
Our hope is that BLOC provides space for people of all backgrounds to work together for the sake of our oceans.
Gurpreet's previous research has included areas such as South Indian women in the fisheries industry and the impact of oil based drilling muds on sea urchin larvae in Botany Bay, Sydney Australia. Pursuing her interest in marine invertibrates and human-nature interdependencies, Gurpreet’s PhD was We’re just fishing: Analysing environmental justice in the governance of The Wash, North West Norfolk inshore cockle fishery.
Increasingly her research interests have considered Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity, and Justice and Access (DEIJA) approach to marine and fisheries. Other interests extend to people of colour - gender equity, social inclusion, decolonisation of ocean sciences, small scale fisheries and inclusive marine sustainable development.
