James Kerry, Ph.D.

Senior Marine & Climate Scientist

James Kerry joined the OceanCare team in 2023. After his studies in the UK and South Africa, he completed a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Marine Biology from James Cook University in Australia, where he retains an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow role. As a keen diver, he is passionate about the oceans and its inhabitants. James Kerry has worked extensively on coral reef research and is a respected scientist in this field. After his studies he played an instrumental role in an international research taskforce that responded to mass coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017. Governance and politics are also major themes in his professional background, having overseen strategy and partnerships at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), as well as acting for a time as GBRMPA’s Chief Scientist. Prior to his transition to marine science James Kerry was Chief of Staff for a Member of Parliament in the British Parliament. For OceanCare, James Kerry provides scientific grounding and policy insights across the wide range of issues in which the organisation engages with a particular interest in climate science. He also works closely with the many important partner organisations of OceanCare, to ensure that our work is complementary and well-aligned.