Giselle Schmitz
Arrell Scholar, Geography, Environment and Geomatics
Giselle grew up in a small town in northern California in the United States. She earned a J.D. from the School of Law at University of Oregon, an M.A. in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University, and an B.A. in Literature with a minor in Biology from Walla Walla University. She has worked at the intersection of climate change, resource management, and international law for several years, holding various roles in government and non-profit groups dedicated to climate and environmental issues. She worked as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow at NOAA Fisheries before her most recent role in Indonesia with the Coral Triangle Center as a Luce Scholar, a prestigious program that provides early-career leaders with placements across Asia. In 2024 Giselle will begin her PhD studies in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics with Dr. Jennifer Silver. In this role, she will work with partners to understand how policies around fisheries management have impacted who can participate in – and benefit from – fisheries, with the goal of supporting equity for fish harvesters and the community. After completing her doctoral studies, Giselle will continue to work towards innovative community based-sustainable resources management strategies.
Learn more about Arrell ScholarshipsWhy become an Arrell Scholar?
Giselle was drawn to this role because of the potential to create real impact in the community and support the distribution of benefits from fisheries. As an Arrell Scholar, she was drawn to the ability to participate in an interdisciplinary cohort of other scholars, to contribute to discussions about sustainability, and to support AFI’s vision of a just and sustainable food system.
Giselle’s Photos
![Giselle next to the ocean with a group of people](https://www.arrellfoodinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Giselle-3.jpeg)
![Giselle underwater](https://www.arrellfoodinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Giselle-ocean-scaled.jpg)
![Giselle at a stand](https://www.arrellfoodinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Giselle-2-scaled.jpeg)
Want to learn more about Arrell Scholarships?
Arrell Food Institute provides graduate students the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning program that will prepare them to be leaders in the agri-food sector and address key agriculture and food challenges.rnrnArrell Scholarships are currently not open for applications. Please check back for updates.