Linda Harris named as recipient of 2025 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation #R2bP

As one of six international researchers awarded the fellowship this year, Dr Harris will receive $150,000 over three years to explore ways to strengthen sandy beach conservation in the Western Indian Ocean.  

Dr Harris will produce key information concerning sandy beaches and will identify conservation priorities for these vital ecosystems.

Using a combination of remote sensing and field surveys, she will classify and map sandy beach ecosystems across 10 countries in southern Africa.

This information will then be used to assess the distribution, ecological condition, threat status, and protection levels of these ecosystems to inform regional conservation efforts.

Dr Harris will also establish a regional network of scientists and practitioners focused on sandy beach management and provide training and tools to help continue their work.

She will convene an international research symposium in South Africa to share findings, promote collaboration, and raise awareness about the need for sandy beach conservation. 

“Sandy beaches are more than sun, sand and surf – they are vital ecosystems that are home to animals found nowhere else on earth, and that perform important functions that enhance human health and wellbeing. We need to take better care of our beaches if we want our children’s children to experience the same joy that we do when we visit the shore,” Dr Harris said.

“That starts with knowing where the beaches are, understanding their current health or ecological state, determining which types of beaches are most at risk of being lost, and identifying priority areas to protect and restore.”

Learn more about Dr Harris and this research effort here.