Xiaoyu Fang
Co-Executive Director (Communication & Engagement), Future Earth Coasts
Dr. Xiaoyu Fang is a marine scientist and sustainability advocate with over 15 years of experience in environmental research, spanning glaciers to coastal ecosystems. She holds a PhD from the University of Plymouth and Ghent, with expertise in marine ecosystem health, biodiversity modeling, and ocean observation. Xiaoyu has dedicated her career to advancing global sustainability through science-policy engagement, international collaboration, and leadership development. She is particularly passionate about empowering underrepresented voices, supporting women scientists, and fostering the next generation of leaders driving change in environmental science. As Co-Executive Director of Future Earth Coasts, she oversees communication and engagement, bridging science, policy, and communities to promote inclusive, sustainable solutions. She leads cross-cutting initiatives like Empowering Future Leadership and the Meta-Network and co-founded the Cyber-Coasts, Just Transitions, and Tour de Coasts working groups to advance coastal sustainability through innovative research and equitable action. She also serves on the Expert Group of the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre, the Science Steering Committee for the Sustainability Initiative in the Marginal Seas of South and East Asia, and is a member of the ISC Expert Network for the UN Ocean Conference 2025. Previously, Xiaoyu worked at the European Marine Observation and Data Network Secretariat, where she coordinated international projects like the EMODnet Partnership for China and Europe and contributed to Horizon 2020 projects such as iAtlantic and Blue-Cloud, which strengthened cross-border collaboration in marine research. With a vision for a future driven by equitable decision-making, Xiaoyu is committed to empowering the next generation to create a thriving and sustainable planet.