Fraser, Gail
Professor
Undergraduate Program Director
PhD Biopsychology
, Memorial University of Newfoundland
MSc Zoology
, North Dakota State University
BSc Biological Sciences
, University of Minnesota
I have two distinct areas of research that are connected through my interests in waterbirds. I undertake field-based research to explore questions about animal behaviour and wildlife management. My research on the management of offshore oil and gas is driven by a desire to improve the conservation and protection of marine habitats. I teach science-based courses where my goal is to develop interesting case studies, some of which are linked to my research, to explain concepts related to conservation and ecology.
Research
- SSHRC, Insight Grant (2019). Offshore oil exploratory drilling and marine protected areas: Assessing decision-making processes and outcomes in comparative developed state cases. Principal Investigator.
- SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant (2019). Rubble to Refuge: Toronto's Leslie Street Spit. Co-applicant.
Awards
- Dean's Teaching Award, Faculty of Environmental Studies
Selected Publications
McDonald, K., R. Toninger, A. Chreston, I. Feldmann and G.S. Fraser. 2018. Living with double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus): A spatial approach for non-lethal management in Toronto, Canada. Waterbirds 41(2): 208-220.
Fraser, G.S. and A. Carter. 2018. Seabird attraction to artificial light in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil fields: Documenting failed regulatory governance. Ocean Yearbook 32: 267-282.
McRae, M., M. Azadbakhsh and G.S. Fraser. 2017. The advertising display of double-crested cormorants varies with microhabitat and time of the season in a tree-nesting colony. Acta Ethologica 20(3): 319-327.
Gupta, A., K. Rudmik and G.S. Fraser. 2017. Evidence for a negative effect of Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) on invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra). Canadian Field Naturalist 131: 347-349.
Carter, A., G.S. Fraser and A. Zalik. 2017. Environmental Policy Convergence in Canada’s Fossil Fuel Provinces? Regulatory Streamlining, Impediments, and Drift. Canadian Public Policy 43(1): https://doi.org/10.3138/cpp.2016-041.
Fraser, G.S. and V. Racine. 2016. An evaluation of the reporting and response to small hydrocarbon spills from offshore oil production projects, Newfoundland, Canada: Implications for seabird conservation. Marine Pollution Bulletin 107: 36-45.
Fraser, G.S. and J. Russell. 2016. Following up on uncertain environmental assessment predictions: The case of offshore oil projects and seabirds off Newfoundland and Labrador. Journal of Environmental Assessment, Policy and Management 18(1): 33 pages.
Chin, A., D.C. Tozer, N.G. Walton and G.S. Fraser. 2015. Comparing bird-based disturbance gradients and indices of biotic integrity for ranking the health of great lakes coastal wetlands. Ecological Indicators 57: 475-485.
Chin, A., D.C. Tozer and G.S. Fraser. 2014. Hydrology influences generalist-specialist bird-based indices of biotic integrity in Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Journal of Great Lakes Research 40(2): 281-287.
TEACHING
ENVS 1500 Introduction to Environmental Science 2020-21.