Beth Nyboer

Research Team | she/her/hers

Aanii, Boozhoo, Hello All.

My name is Beth Nyboer - I’m of settler/colonial descent, currently living on the homelands of the Tutelo/Monacan Peoples in what is colonially called Virginia. Until December of 2022 I was a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, and as of January 2023 began a new post as Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech (USA) in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. 

As a trained ecologist, I was taught early how to quantify, dissect, and analyze the complexities of fish-environment interactions through a Western science lens. However, as my work in fisheries (and time spent with communities) deepened, it became abundantly clear that one cannot understand ecosystems without intimate knowledge of the histories, social contexts, and relationships of people and community with fish and place. Over the past decade my work has aimed to centre the knowledges and lived experiences of fishing peoples within freshwater conservation research and action. I believe that working closely with communities and in response to their needs holds the key to unlock equitable and just solutions to the complex environmental challenges faced by freshwater fisheries.

My work has taken me across continents and great lake systems from Nnyanja Nalubaale (Lake Victoria) in East African where I worked with communities on climate change adaptation, all the way to Nayaano-nibiimaang Gichigamin (the Laurentian Great Lakes) where I am work with First Nations and Tribes to understand just and equitable approaches to sea lamprey management. I am thrilled that my work in both of these extraordinary systems (Nalubaale and Nayaano-nibiimaang Gichigamin) will continue as I build my research team at Virginia Tech. I look forward to getting to know many of you as I carry forward in my new position and in my continued friendship and collaboration with the wonderful CIF team!

~ With much gratitude to the people, water, and fish who have taught me so much.

Beth