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Faculty & Staff Directory

Chelsea Gray

  • Adjunct Faculty
  • Marine Conservation
  • Individual-Based Modeling
  • Basking Sharks

    Contact Info

    Chelsea Gray
    Name
    Chelsea Gray
    Job Title
    Adjunct Faculty
    Marine Conservation
    Individual-Based Modeling
    Basking Sharks
    Office Number
    David King Hall, Room 3026, MSN 5F2

    Affiliations

    Education

    PhD, Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University
    MS, Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University
    BS, Biology, University of Mary Washington 

    About

    Dr. Chelsea Gray is an interdisciplinary researcher specializing in basking shark conservation, individual-based modeling, social science, and environmental policy. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University in 2023 and served as a 2024 Knauss Fellow with NOAA Fisheries’ Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, as well as Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries. 

    Currently, Dr. Gray is an active member of the Irish Basking Shark Group, an international coalition of conservationists and scientists, where she contributes to collaborative research and policy initiatives focused on basking shark conservation. 

    In addition to her research expertise, she brings a diverse background in multimedia scientific outreach, marketing, web design, and content development—skills that help bridge the gap between complex environmental science and public engagement. 

    Current Research

    • Basking shark movement and behavior
    • Public perceptions of sharks and shark tourism
    • Communication strategies for policy development 

    Teaching Focus

    Conservation Policy 

    Selected Publications

    Gray, C., Rothman, D.S., Peters-Burton, E., Smith, C. & Parsons, E.C.M. (2022). Individual-Based Model Use in Marine Policy. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 20(1), 2271550. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2023.2271550. 

    Gray, C., Peters-Burton, E., Smith, C. & Parsons, E.C.M. (2022). Basking Shark Tourism in Donegal, Ireland - A Case-Study of Public Interest and Support for Shark Conservation. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 1–14. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.3774. 

    Gray, C., Schuler, A. R., & Parsons, E.C.M. (2022). Recent Advances In Whale Watching Research: 2019–2020. Tourism in Marine Environments. https://doi.org/10.3727/154427322X16497485866411 

    Contact Info

    Chelsea Gray
    Name
    Chelsea Gray
    Job Title
    Adjunct Faculty
    Marine Conservation
    Individual-Based Modeling
    Basking Sharks
    Office Number
    David King Hall, Room 3026, MSN 5F2

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