Assoc Prof Pedro Fidelman
Group Leader
Pedro Fidelman is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Centre for Policy Futures, where he leads the Social and Environmental Sustainability research theme.
His research examines how governance systems address emerging sustainability challenges. He studies the institutions, policies, regulations and decision-making processes that shape how societies respond to changing environmental, social and technological conditions.
Pedro’s work spans diverse sustainability contexts, including climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, marine and coastal governance, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and emerging sustainability technologies. Rather than studying these challenges in isolation, he uses them as comparative contexts for understanding how governance systems respond to novelty, uncertainty and change.
A major focus of his current research is the governance, policy and regulatory implications of emerging sustainability technologies, including reef restoration and adaptation, offshore renewable energy and RNA-based biotechnologies. He is also interested in governance innovation and in developing innovative approaches for analysing governance systems, including governance analytics, comparative governance and AI-assisted qualitative analysis.
Pedro collaborates closely with governments, industry, communities and international organisations, contributing to major initiatives such as the United Nations Global Environment Outlook. His research has informed national and international policy initiatives and has been referenced in policy reports produced by governments and international organisations across multiple countries. Through this work, he seeks to strengthen the capacity of governance systems to respond effectively to emerging sustainability challenges.