Joelle has a multi-disciplinary background with more than 20 years research, management and professional experience spanning coastal and coral reef fisheries management, community monitoring, nutrition and public health, participatory community engagement and science communication.

She has worked in the Pacific Region for over 15 years, during which time Joelle has managed and led research teams and budgets for large-scale coastal fisheries management and development projects to strengthen livelihoods and enhance food and nutrition security in rural communities. Throughout her career, she has developed a passion for understanding the nexus between people and place and how development opportunities and integrated systems thinking can result in improved environmental, social, cultural, economic and human health outcomes.

Joelle holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Toxicology, Griffith University and a Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Queensland.