About

My primary area of research is the application of geospatial technologies (e.g., Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing) to the study of Earth’s environment and natural processes. I am particularly interested in coral reef processes and geomorphology. 

I first developed an interest in coral reef geomorphology (how reef features form and evolve) during my undergraduate degree at James Cook University where my honours research examined the impacts of harbour infrastructure on reef islands in the Torres Strait. I later completed a Masters in Geospatial Technologies in Europe with a particular focus on spatial data interoperability. After a few years working as a spatial analyst in the environmental consultancy industry I decided to return to coral reef research and completed a PhD at The University of Sydney. I enjoy multidisciplinary research and the opportunity to combine field work with a variety of geospatial technologies to better understand the world and our part in it.

Teaching
  • EV2502: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
  • EV3401: Coastal and Catchment Geomorphology (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
  • EV5401: Coastal and Catchment Geomorphology (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
  • EV5502: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (Level 5; TSV)
  • EV5505: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
Interests
Professional
  • Supporting girls in STEM
Research
  • Coral reef geomorphology
  • Spatial science
  • Fore reef hydrodynamics
  • Reef evolution
  • Marine Protected Area Planning
Teaching
  • Authentic assessment for student success
  • Real-world field data collection opportunities
  • Focus on career preparedness
Experience
  • 2013 to 2016 - Teaching Associate, The University of Sydney (Sydney)
  • 2010 to 2013 - Spatial Analyst, GHD (Sydney)
  • 2006 to 2008 - Research Assistant, James Cook University (Townsville)
Honours
Awards
  • 2018 - James Cook University Early Career Rising Star Award
  • 2017 - TropEco Teaching and Learning Award for embedding sustainability into coursework
  • 2014 - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Science for Management Award
  • 2008 - James Cook University Medal
  • 2013 to 2016 - University of Sydney Merit Award
Memberships
  • 2018 - Treasurer Australian Coral Reef Society
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU.

Journal Articles
More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 35+ research outputs authored by Dr Stephanie Duce from 2009 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership

Sea cucumber monitoring project

Indicative Funding
$37,969 over 3 years (administered by Macquarie University)
Summary
Although we know that sea cucumbers play an important role in bioturbation on coral reefs, there are still many unknowns in terms of the ecosystem services that they provide. Additionally, their spatial and temporal density and distribution throughout the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is not well understood, yet we continue to harvest individuals to support global fisheries. We therefore need accurate baseline data of the sea cucumber populations, otherwise our extractive industries will remain at odds with ecosystem management goals. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of these populations will require a multiscaled approach incorporating intensive in situ surveys, collating industry and anecdotal observations, modelling habitat suitability, and broader scale surveys with remote sensing.
Investigators
Jane Williamson, Stephanie Duce, Karen Joyce, Troy Gaston and Vincent Raoult (Macquarie University, College of Science & Engineering and The University of Newcastle)
Keywords
Drones; Great Barrier Reef; Remote Sensing; Sea cucumbers; Fisheries; ROV

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership

GBRF EOI Island Monitoring

Indicative Funding
$397,435 over 2 years (administered by QLD Department of Environment and Science)
Summary
The more than 1000 islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area (GBRMPA spatial data, 2019) support a diverse range of ecological, cultural and economic values. Many are threatened by climate change, but monitoring and management is difficult as many cays are remote and difficult to access. This project will develop and implement an efficient drone-based hierarchical monitoring protocol based on the recognition and use of `natural ground control points? that will enable more rapid and resource efficient capture of reef island status to inform management decisions.
Investigators
Scott Smithers, Stephanie Duce, Karen Joyce, Nicholas Murray and Jack Koci (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Drone; Great Barrier Reef; Remote Sensing; Geomorphology; Island Habitat

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research - Fisheries Program - Small Research Activity

Spatially integrated Portfolio Approach to support a portfolio of livelihoods.

Indicative Funding
$248,458 over 3 years
Summary
The Integrated Livelihoods Approach (ILA) provides an approach to diagnose and help navigate interrelated and cumulative impacts, trade-offs and co-benefits of interacting livelihood activities occurring in spatially defined coastal areas. Participatory and interdisciplinary research, integrated governance, negotiation, trust-building, ongoing conflict management, and cross-sectoral and political engagement are central to the ILA. This project will establish the mechanisms for achieving the strengthened networks, integrated governance and policy, and improved planning required to implement an ILA in Western Province, Solomon Islands, with the potential to scale-up to other locations.
Investigators
Amy Diedrich, Jacqueline Lau, Tiffany Morrison, Nicholas Murray, Stephanie Duce, Claire Holland, Faye Siota and Bethany Smith (College of Science & Engineering, Research Division, College of Business, Law & Governance and WorldFish Solomon Islands)
Keywords
Sustainable livelihoods; Solomon Islands; Pacific Islands; Participatory research approach; Natural Resource Management

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd - Research Grant

Green turtle satellite tracking data analysis and reporting

Indicative Funding
$60,000 over 2 years
Summary
The project aims to understand (2) the patterns of habitat use and home range of foraging green turtles in Port Curtis? (2) How green turtles use habitats located within and immediately adjacent to port infrastructure in the western and southern sections of the Port, such as jetties and navigation channels? And (3) What are the patterns of movement and foraging behaviour of green turtles that shift between inside and outside the Inner Port habitats (i.e. from Pelican Banks to offshore of Curtis Is)?
Investigators
Mark Hamann, Emily Webster and Stephanie Duce in collaboration with Colin Limpus and Takahiro Shimada (College of Science & Engineering, QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords
Turtle; Tracking; Gladstone; Behaviour

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd - Research Grant

Green turtle satellite tracking data analysis and reporting

Indicative Funding
$60,000 over 2 years
Summary
The project aims to understand (1) The patterns of habitat use and home range of foraging green turtles in Port Curtis (2) How green turtles use habitats located within and immediately adjacent to port infrastructure in the western and southern sections of the Port, such as jetties and navigation channels (3) What are the patterns of movement and foraging behaviour of green turtles that shift between inside and outside the Inner Port habitats (ie from Pelican Banks to offshore of Curtis Is)?
Investigators
Mark Hamann, Emily Webster and Stephanie Duce in collaboration with Colin Limpus and Takahiro Shimada (College of Science & Engineering, QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords
Turtle; Behaviour; Tracking; Gladstone

CRC for Developing Northern Australia Scheme - Projects

Applying new technologies to enhance biosecurity and cattle quality.

Indicative Funding
$1,084,500 over 3 years (administered by Branir Pty Ltd & Trustee for Booloomani Unit Trust)
Summary
The vast natural environment of Northern Australia feeds the cattle industry; however, biosecurity threats have negatively impacted this. Conventional management of such threats such as weeds are not suited to such broad, harsh landscapes. The project will use an Internet of Things network with low-cost environmental sensors, drone mapping and big data analytics to develop and test data-driven, strategic pest management programs - ultimately improving both cattle industry and natural assets.
Investigators
Ian Atkinson, Wei Xiang, Ron White, Stephanie Duce, Mohan Jacob and Karen Joyce (Research Infrastructure and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Biosecurity; Cattle; Drones; Weeds; Technology; Internet Of Things
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Cay geomorphology, dynamics and future prospects within the Great Barrier Reef (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • From Coral Communities to Fringing Reefs: Developing a Novel Predictive Model for Fringing Reef Growth, Conservation and Restoration (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Applying vulnerability assessments within social-ecological systems: Developing a dynamic integrated vulnerability assessment (DIVA) in the Solomon Islands (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Exploring Fine-Scale Habitat use by Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) in Port Curtis with Satellite Telemetry (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Improving understanding of satellite measures of uncertainty for sea surface temperature (SST) and the implications for coral monitoring products (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Upscaling ecosystem studies on coral reefs (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Completed
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

Connect with me
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jcu.me/stephanie.duce

Email
Phone
Location
  • 34.242, Earth & Environmental Sciences (Townsville campus)
Advisory Accreditation
Primary Advisor
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