Earth Scientist
Earth Scientist

Biography

Dr. Laura Nelson is an interdisciplinary scientist in the Coastal Science Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Laura’s work focuses on the interactions between changes in the environment and people, primarily within coastal or tribal communities. Using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods, Laura works to understand options for increasing energy and community resilience and how we can better incorporate community values and objectives into energy planning processes. 

Laura holds a PhD from the University of Washington, where her research concentrated on the climate vulnerability of West Coast fishing communities, specifically how community values, culture, and perceptions may affect climate impacts and the ability to adapt. 

Laura has a breadth of experience in the marine environment. She worked as a policy analyst for the Makah Tribe in the Makah Office of Marine Affairs, and as an assistant scientist for the Sea Education Association, where she conducted oceanographic research and taught undergrads and high school students aboard tall ships sailing in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Laura also holds a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington and a BA in biology from Dartmouth College.

Research Interest

  • Coastal social-ecological systems
  • Energy resilience in Tribal and coastal communities
  • Fisheries and the role of seafood in food security

More information: Google Scholar

Education

  • PhD, Environmental and Forest Science, University of Washington, 2021
  • MMA, Marine Affairs, University of Washington, 2014
  • BA, Biology, Dartmouth College, 2005

Publications

2024

  • Arkema, K. K., K. P. Duffy, C. D. Henderson, M. C. Freeman, D. J. Rose, M. Severy, and J. H. Haxel, et al. 2024. Advancing community-engaged research for offshore wind on the West Coast. PNNL-36954. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Advancing community-engaged research for offshore wind on the West Coast
  • Arkema, K. K., L. Field, L.K. Nelson, N. Ban, C. M. Gunn, and S. Lester. 2024. "Advancing the design and management of marine protected areas by quantifying the benefits of coastal ecosystems for communities." One Earth 7, no. 6:989-1006. PNNL-SA-198171. doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.019
  • Arkema, K. K., S. Cunningham, J. Delevaux, C. Balderas Guzmán, S. Klain, J. Lamb, and L. K. Nelson, et al. 2024. "Beneficiaries, equity, and trade-offs in estuarine and coastal ecosystem services." In TREATISE ON ESTUARINE AND COASTAL SCIENCE, 2ND EDITION, edited by D. Baird and M. Elliott. 208-237. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Academic Press. PNNL-SA-192875. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-90798-9.00106-2

2023

  • Nelson, L. K., A. C. Cullen, L. E. Koehn, S. Harper, J. Runebaum, M. Bogeberg, A. Strawn, and P. S. Levin. 2023. “Understanding perceptions of climate vulnerability to inform more effective adaptation in coastal communities.” PLOS Climate, 2(2), e0000103. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000103
  • Runnebaum, J. M., L. K. Nelson, S. J. Harper, R. J. Bell, G. S. Smith, A. C. Cullen, M. J. Cutler, and P. S. Levin. 2023. “Harvester perceptions of climate vulnerability: Contributions to building climate resilient fisheries.” Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 2827. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMARS.2022.1049445/BIBTEX
  • Harper, S. J., J. M. Burt, L. K. Nelson, J. M. Runnebaum, A. Cullen, P. S. Levin, K. L. Hunter, J. Mcisaac, N. C. Ban, S. J. Harper, J. M. Burt, L. K. Nelson, J. M. Runnebaum, A. Cullen, P. S. Levin, K. L. Hunter, J. Mcisaac, and N. C. Ban. 2023. “Commercial fisher perceptions illuminate a need for social justice considerations in navigating climate change impacts on fisheries systems.” Ecology and Society, Published Online: 2023-05-01 | Doi:10.5751/ES-14142-280221, 28(2), art21. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-14142-280221

2022

  • Koehn, L. E., L. K. Nelson, J. F. Samhouri, K. C. Norman, M. G. Jacox, A. C. Cullen, J. Fiechter, M. P. Buil, and P. S. Levin. 2022. “Social-ecological vulnerability of fishing communities to climate change: A U.S. West Coast case study.” PLOS One, 17(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272120
  • Nelson, L. K., M. Bogeberg, A. Cullen, L. E. Koehn, A. Strawn, and P. S. Levin. 2022. “Perspectives on managing fisheries for community wellbeing in the face of climate change.” Maritime Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00252-z