The world faces a global environmental crisis. Indeed, it has been facing a global environmental crisis for decades, one that even as a small child Professor Yates was aware of, and which inspired her desire to be a scientist in order to “save the planet”.The decimation of our oceans led Katherine to focus on marine spatial planning, protected areas and the associated science policy interface.

Her work, which touches on many disciplines, has always embraced the multifaceted complexity of real-life conservation planning decisions.

But, whilst she is passionate about improving marine management and sincerely hopes her work has contributed to that, this inaugural professorial lecture will not focus on her research achievements per say.

Rather, it will be about how the research she has undertook and the people she’s met along the way have changed her, and as a result changed the work she will go on to do in the future.Following her journey from a “fish hugging” biodiversity conservationist to an equity focused spatial planner, Professor Yates will reflect on the broader lessons learned about conservation, research, and academia.

This lecture will also be about not being a “normal” academic, the strength that can be found in embracing diversity, the importance of open-mindedness, and the fundamental necessity of equity.

This lecture will suggest that in the end, be it conservation, research, or indeed life, it’s all about people.