Meet the East Africa Specialist: Austin Humphries

Austin Humphries and dog
Photo submitted by Austin Humphries


Austin Humphries, PhD
University of Rhode Island

 

Tell us about your background and international/research-for-development interests.

My interests lie at the intersection of fisheries ecology and human wellbeing. I am mostly drawn to research that contributes directly to fisheries management outcomes and increasingly enjoy thinking about interventions aimed at behavior change. These curiosities come from my background living in coastal Kenya for four years with fishers and experiencing the constant trade-offs between the short-term realities of feeding a family and long-term resource sustainability.

How does your background in fisheries at the University of Rhode Island (URI) inform your approach at the Fish Innovation Lab?

URI has a long standing reputation for doing international research in fisheries and aquaculture development. This provides networks in places like Southeast Asia and Africa within governments and nonprofits that can put research to action. Combined with the emphasis at URI of interdisciplinary science, I have a uniquely broad but grounded view of potential solutions for the Fish Innovation Lab to focus on.

In your view, what are the most pressing challenges related to food and nutrition security worldwide, and what are some ways we can overcome these challenges?

I believe that finding ways to increase productivity of fisheries and aquaculture is important for food availability, but there are other frontiers that need attention for any impact in this domain to be realized. Women need more empowerment in the household decision-making process as well as within the fish value chain. Losses of fish due to spoiling and inadequate sanitation are in dire need of improvement. Educational messaging is imperative for better nutrition, especially for pregnant women and children in their first 1,000 days. More sustainable fishing practices and aquaculture feed development are two areas for pushing the productivity of fish globally.

What do you wish other people knew about fish and/or food security?

I wish more people knew how vitally important fish is to not only the livelihood and wellbeing of individuals in developing economies, but also to their cultural identity and spiritual health. Untangling these can be difficult since they represent shared histories with the environment.

If you weren’t a professor, what other careers might you have pursued?

I have always thought I would be a woodworker or carpenter. I used to make a living as a fisherman, but mixing my hobby with profession did not work so well for me. So I think using my hands and building things with wood is where I would be if not a professor.

What are your hobbies or activities outside of work?

Most things outside – these days it is surfing and fishing. I also enjoy camping and throwing sticks for my dog in the surf. But tinkering in the garage often seems to occupy me if the weather isn’t suitable for any of these activities.

What is on your bucket list? (What do you hope to do, accomplish, see, experience, etc. in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?)

The top of my list is to help elect a woman president of the U.S. in my lifetime. I also wish to take a year to sit and study Zen meditation.

If you would like to, tell us about your family, where you are from, and any personal details you would like to share.

I live with my partner and furry dog in Providence, Rhode Island, but we are both from Virginia. We spend as much time as possible boating around Narragansett Bay and foraging for seafood. This winter we spent our time in a cabin on the beautiful coast of Marin County, California.