Dr. Xiaoyu Fang, an environmental scientist and sustainability advocate, has over 15 years of research experience in glacier, coastal, and marine ecosystems. She holds a joint PhD in Marine Ecosystem Health and Conservation from the University of Plymouth and the University of Ghent, specializing in biodiversity modeling and ocean observation.
She strives to inspire individuals to connect with and appreciate our oceans, while advocating for positive changes towards a more sustainable future. With experience across fisheries, ocean management, marine spatial planning, cloud computing, and data management, she has a strong background in European marine science and science-policy engagement. She previously worked at the European Marine Observation and Data Network, coordinating international projects and facilitating oceanographic knowledge exchange and technical support.
In her current role as Co-Executive Director of Future Earth Coasts, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and empowering the next generation of leaders for a sustainable, resilient planet. She strengthens global sustainability networks through initiatives like Empowering Future Leadership and the Meta-Network and co-founded Cyber-Coasts, Just Transitions, and Tour de Coasts to advance coastal sustainability. She also serves on the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre’s Expert Group, the Science Steering Committee for the Sustainability Initiative in the Marginal Seas of South and East Asia, and the Future Earth Governing Council.
The page was updated in March 2025.
