Dr. Stephanie Webb, Ph.D., is an environmental social scientist and food systems scholar with expertise in marine social science, political economy, and critical food studies.  She has a B.S. in Business Economics, a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Environmental Studies. Her doctoral research focused on multiple dimensions of fisheries and food system sustainability where she examined the effects and affects of formal and informal governance on fisheries, food security, and blue food economies in California’s Pacific herring fishery.  

Her research approaches are rooted in geography, economics, and environmental law. She uses socio-ecological systems mapping, statistical analyses, and ethnography to describe human-nature assemblages and explain the drivers and hurdles to implementing political economic interventions and changing stakeholders' behaviors in marine and food systems. She has over a decade of experience engaging stakeholders, facilitating cross-sector meetings, and strategic planning. She has over seven years of mentorship experience in the academic, government, and nonprofit spheres. 

 Dr. Webb is passionate about using policy and entrepreneurship to achieve environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, healthy, and economically resilient communities in the 21st century. She has received awards from Santa Cruz’s IDEAs Hub, National Science Foundation Innovation Corps, Berkley’s Big Ideas Competition, and the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development for developing technology aimed at improving the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and national seafood security. She has an affinity for applied and participatory research, values culturally relevant learning experiences, and believes deeply in the importance of community partnerships. 

Stephanie recently started a full time position on the social science research team with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to lead social impact assessments.