Dr Linda Davies

BSc PhD
Lecturer Bachelor of Science

Email: linda.davies@nd.edu.au
Phone: 08 9433 0116

  • Biography

    Dr Linda Davies is a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Science program at The University of Notre Dame Australia. Her teaching and research focuses on the intersection between human activities and environmental impacts. Her particular expertise in marine plastic pollution contributes to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14.1.b Life Below Water – which aims to “prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities.”

    Linda leads an innovative, community-driven citizen science program that monitors beach litter and generates robust datasets to evaluate the effectiveness of government, industry, and community initiatives aimed at reducing marine debris. Her recent research has included litter brand audits to assess voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by multinational food and beverage companies to reduce single-use plastic consumption.

    Her research has been recognised in the University’s Research Plan 2023-2026 (University Research Plan 2023-2026) as transformative in strengthening communities and creating positive societal impact for the common good. The citizen science program has expanded across multiple communities in the Perth metropolitan region, engaging a diverse range of participants and fostering meaningful community involvement in environmental stewardship. The project has also attracted significant media attention, including coverage by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

  • Teaching areas

    Linda's engaging and student-centred teaching approach inspires students to critically examine and address environmental challenges arising from human activities. Since 2020, she has consistently been nominated by students for the Vice Chancellor's Promoting Excellence in Learning and Teaching Awards, reflecting her sustained commitment to high-quality teaching and student success. She received formal recognition in 2020 for initiatives that enhanced student learning and in 2021 for excellence in teaching.

    Linda specialises in environmental management and teaches across a broad range of disciplines, including sustainable development, environmental impact assessment and planning, coastal processes and planning, geographic information systems (GIS), natural resource management, and physical geography. Her teaching integrates contemporary environmental challenges with practical, skills-based learning to prepare graduates for professional practice and leadership in the environmental sector.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Research expertise: Marine litter monitoring.

    For potential HDR enquiries in this field please email linda.davies@nd.edu.au

    Current HDR supervision:

    • Co-supervisor (30%): The Impact of Light Attenuation on Aquatic Macrophyte Establishment in the Canning River, Western Australia (M.Phil.).
    • Co-supervisor (20%): Neighbourhood Ecologies: Community-Led Practices Supporting Quality of and Connection to Place (PhD).
    • Co-supervisor (20%): Understanding how Contextual Factors Contribute to Pro-Environmental Consumer Habit Formation within Retail Settings in Australia (PhD).

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

      • Davies, L., Tait, H., & Lavers, J. L. (2026). “Impact of single-use waste reduction initiatives using citizen science data: Western Australia as a case study.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, 222, 118750.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118750
      • Davies, L., Kemp, A., O'Loughlin, C., & Korczynskyj, D. (2022). Is conscientious beachcombing the key to ‘unlock’ marine plastic pollution trends through citizen science? A case study from Cockburn Sound, Western Australia. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 177, 113519.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113519

  • Community Engagement

    Linda is an active contributor to community environmental initiatives and public engagement. In recognition of her expertise in environmental monitoring and management, she was appointed as a Community Representative on the Cockburn Sound Management Council in 2023.

    She regularly shares her research and expertise with both community and professional audiences through presentations, workshops, and outreach activities focused on marine plastic pollution and environmental stewardship. Linda has also delivered hands-on educational workshops for secondary school students, promoting environmental awareness and scientific literacy.

    Examples of her community and professional engagement activities in 2026 include:

    • Invited to deliver a marine litter monitoring workshop for students in the Special Education Program at Warnbro Community College, August 2026.
    • Invited panellist for two community screenings of The Plastic Country, hosted by Bottle Top Hill, August 2026.
    • Invited participant at the Rockingham Beach Big Clean community event, July 2026.
    • Invited presenter for Plastic Free July activities hosted by Bottle Top Hill, July 2026.
    • Invited presenter at the 2026 Australian Association for Environmental Education (WA) Catchments, Corridors and Coasts Professional Development Workshop, Education for Sustainability, held at the Cockburn Wetlands Centre, May 2026.

  • Other

  • In the Media

  • Professional Affiliations

    • 2023-Member of Cockburn Sound Management Council (Community Representative)

  • Awards

    • 2020 Vice-Chancellor's Award - Promoting Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Award Type: Initiatives that enhance student learning citation "For incorporating project-based learning and industry linkage throughout undergraduate teaching to motivate and inspire students with job ready and sustainable life skills".
    • 2021 Vice-Chancellor's Award - Promoting Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Award Type: Teaching Excellence. "For Developing caring pedagogical relationships to influence, motivate, and inspire student learning in the field of environmental management for an interdisciplinary audience".
    • 2024: Recipient of Fremantle Ports Community Investment Funding $11,600. Project: Marine litter monitoring in Cockburn Sound.