Student

Suzanne Webster

Graduate Research Assistant
Student
Suzanne Webster
Graduate Research Assistant
Integration and Application Network

Bio

Suzi Webster is a PhD Candidate at UMCES. Suzi's dissertation research investigates stakeholder perspectives on how citizen science can contribute to scientific research that informs collaborative and innovative environmental management decisions. Her work provides evidence-based recommendations for expanded public engagement in environmental science and management in the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. Suzi is currently a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, and she works in NOAA’s Technology Partnerships Office as their first Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Specialist. 

Previously, Suzi worked as a Graduate Assistant at IAN for six years. During her time at IAN, she contributed to various communications products, led an effort to create a citizen science monitoring program, and assisted in developing and teaching a variety of graduate- and professional-level courses relating to environmental management, science communication, and interdisciplinary environmental research. Before joining IAN, Suzi worked as a research assistant at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA and received a B.S. in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame.

Areas of Expertise

  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Environmental anthropology
  • Citizen science
  • Transdisciplinary research
  • Science communication

Education

  • University of Notre Dame, 2013, B.S. Biological Sciences and Anthropology

Graduate Program Foundation Areas

Lab News

UMCES Graduates Students Awarded 2021 Knauss Fellowship

Two University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science graduate students have been named finalists of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program sponsored by Sea Grant and NOAA. Shadaesha Green and Suzi Spitzer will join the 42nd class of the fellowship, and be placed in a government organization at a position in either the Executive or Legislative branches of government on coastal and marine science policy for one year.

Next Generation: Suzi Spitzer

I am researching ways to improve collaborations between citizen scientists and professional scientists so these groups can more effectively work together to create new scientific knowledge that answers their respective research questions and fulfills both scientific and local needs.