Stephen Decker

Associate Professor

Phone: (709) 639-6578

Email: sdecker@mun.ca

Office: AS 2022

 

Credentials

- Doctor of Philosophy (2018) Interdisciplinary Studies, University of British Columbia, Okanagan
- Master of Arts (2007) Geography, Memorial University
- Bachelor of Arts (2004) Environmental Studies, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University

 

Research interests

Human dimensions of natural resource and wildlife management, Indigenous-engaged natural resource and wildlife conservation, integrated resource management, resource and environmental management, parks and protected areas planning and management.

 

Teaching

-Environment and Sustainability 1000, Introduction to Sustainability
- Environment and Sustainability 2200, Outdoor Pursuits
- Environment and Sustainability 3000, Human Dimensions of Resource Management
- Environment and Sustainability 4000, Integrated Approaches to Resource Management and Decision Making
- Environment and Sustainability 4010, Seminar in Environment and Sustainability
- Environment and Sustainability 4201, Environmental Assessment
- Environment and Sustainability 4950/4960, Independent Research Project in Environmental Studies or Resource Management
- Geography 1050, Geographies of Global Change
- Geography 2302, Economic Geography
- Geography 2102, Physical Geography
- Geography 2425, Natural Resources
- Geography 3222, Research Design and Quantitative Methods
- Geography 4405, Outdoor Recreational Resources and Planning (multiple offerings)
- Political Science 3631, Environmental Policy
- Environmental Policy 6002, Research Design and Methods

 

Representative scholarly contributions

Selected Reports and Publications

 

 

  • Skinner, S. W., Addai, A., Decker, S. E. & van Zyll de Jong, M. (2023). The ecological success of river restoration in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: lessons learned. Ecology and Society, https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-14379-280320
  • Mendis, R. & Decker, S. E. (2022). Acceptance of the collective impact initiative model in rural communities: Case study example – Gros Morne, NL. The Journal of Rural and Community Development, 17(1), 131-152
  • Affram, A., Butters, L., Ature, R., Vodden, K., Decker, S. (2022). Quantifying Housing Needs in Western Newfoundland: Final Report. Prepared for the Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI). Corner Brook, NL. (181 pages)

Publications Submitted / Under Review 

  • Lucas Arantes-G., Decker, S.E., Dagevos, J., Churchill, D. & Vodden, K. 2026). Building a Resilient and Inclusive Forest Sector: Strategies to Recruit and Retain Women in the Workforce. Submitted to the Journal of Forestry.
  • Flowers, V., Decker, S.E., & Saunders, M. (2026). “What I’m saying is the focus should be on things that matter to people”: Inuit perspectives on wildlife research in Nunatsiavut. Submitted to Arctic.

 

Selected Presentations

  • Decker, S.D. (2026). Human dimensions research and Indigenous-engaged wildlife management considerations. Presented at the Species at Risk Workshop Hosted by the Nunatsiavut Government and Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change
  • Dicker, J. & Decker, S.E. (2025). “If there’s one or two, take them but if there’s three, leave them”: Inuit Cultural Norms and Traditional Knowledge Regarding Sustainable Harvest Leading Contemporary Species Management Planning. Poster Presentation at ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting in Calgary, AB, December 15 – 18, 2025.

 

Canada in Nain, Nunatsiavut, March 9 – 11, 2026.

  • Levesque-Martin, V. & Decker, S.E. (2025). Indigenous involvement and cooperative management of the Torngat Mountains Caribou herd: A case study. Poster Presentation at ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting in Calgary, AB, December 15 – 18, 2025.
  • Adesemoye, O., Decker, S. E., Foley, P., Islam, K., Rauch-Davis, W., & Wu, J. (all presenters) (2023). Global Climate Change: From Awareness to Anxiety to Action – A Presentation by Grenfell Campus Students, Researchers, and Professors. Presented at Corner Brook Regional High’s Conference: Connecting Hearts and Minds Through Education in Corner Brook, NL. May 5th and 6th, 2023.
  • Decker, S.E. & Street, S. (2023) Search and Rescue Incident Management During Natural Disasters. Presented at SARScene 2023 in St. John’s NL. Sept. 14th, 2023.
  • Decker, S.E. (2022). Forest-based Bio-economy Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Presented at the Regional Studies Association Conference in London, U.K. Nov. 2022. 
  • Montgomery, C. & Decker, S.E. (2022). The Requisites of Responsible and Effective Wildlife Harvest Management and Decision Making in Canada's North. Presented at the ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, ON, December 6 – 8, 2022.
  • Decker, S.E. (2021). Forest-based Bio-economy Development in Newfoundland: Update and Opportunities to Date. Presented at Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovators Roundtable hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre on October 5th, 2021.
  • Decker, S.E. & Dawson, B. (2021). Forest-based Bio-economy Development in Newfoundland: Challenges and Opportunities to Date. Presented at the 2021 Update on Forestry Research in Newfoundland and Labrador hosted by Natural Resources Canada/Canadian Forest Service and Grenfell Campus on March 10th, 2021.

 

Current research projects and grants

- 2025 – Co PI on a 3-year collaborative research project in partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government to conduct an Inuit Knowledge based study with a goal of developing Inuit-informed wildlife management policy for Nunatsiavut. Funded by Polar Knowledge Canada. $178,000

- 2024 - PI on a research project funded by Canadian Wildlife Service – Environment and Climate Change Canada to conduct a human dimensions study on Murre harvest management. $30,000

- 2023 - PI on a research project funded by Canadian Wildlife Service – Environment and Climate Change Canada to conduct a human dimensions study on Murre harvest management. $30,000

- 2022 – PI on Harris Centre Employment Diversity Fund Grant for project entitled “Gender Parity in the Forest Sector: Identifying barriers and opportunities through collaborative research”. $20,000

- 2021 - PI on research project in collaboration with Nunatsiavut Government entitled: “Prerequisites for Responsible and Effective Wildlife Harvest Management and Decision Making in Canada's North”. Project funding from SSHRC Insight Development Grant. $70,000

2020 - PI on research project entitled: “Forest-Based Bioeconomy Development in Newfoundland”. Project funding from Provincial Workforce Innovation Centre. $334,000

 

Memberships and affiliations

 

- Member of Board of Directors and Executive of Atlantic Coastal Action Program – Humber Arm (2019 – present)

 

- Gros Morne National Park Snowmobiling Consultation Committee (2018 – present)

 

- Gros Morne Cooperating Association (university research liaison) (2018 – present)

 

- Executive Member of Bay of Islands Volunteer Search and Rescue (2011 – current)

 

> 300+ hours of volunteer time annually

 

> Training certification and experience as Search Manager

 

> National certification as search team member

 

> Certified Ice Rescue Technician

 

> Specialized training in Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) operation

 

> Incident Command training (ICS 300)

 

> Certified in Wilderness First Aid

> Participation in approximately 150 search and rescue call-outs

 

Honours, graduate and post-graduate supervision

 

Undergraduate Student Supervision

 

 

 

- Daniel Hillier, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2018)

 

- Olivia LeBlanc, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus, (Graduated 2018)

 

- Ian Walker, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2018)

 

- Ryan Walker, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2018)

 

- Daniel Stoyles, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2020)

 

- Jacquelyn Pittman, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2020)

 

- Matthew Helps, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2021)

 

- Lexi Fequet, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2021)

 

- Lucas Hoyles, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus, (Graduated 2021)

 

- Zechariah Childs, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Graduated 2022)

 

- Travis Smith, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Expected 2023)

 

- Beth Lundgren, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Completed 2023)

 

- Peter Dicker, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Completed 2024)

 

- Jenna Bennett, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Expected 2026)

 

- Jordan Davidson, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Expected 2026)

 

- Marcus Whalen, Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, Grenfell Campus (Expected 2026)

 

 

 

Graduate Student Supervision

 

- Supervisor, Amalie Romero. MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2017)

 

- Supervisor, Ukachi Okpara. MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2017)

 

- Supervisor, Elizabeth Belanzaran, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2018)

 

- Supervisor, Jennifer Adams, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2019)

 

- Supervisor, Victoria Gallagher, MAEP, Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2019)

 

- Supervisor, Jason Dicker, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2019)

 

- Supervisor, Anastasia Alddai, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2020)

 

- Supervisor, Kirsten Miller, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2020)

 

- Supervisor, Chelsea Felming, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2020)

 

- Supervisor, Roshayne Mendis, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2020)

 

- Supervisor, Conor Edwards, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2022)

 

- Supervisor, Skylar Skinner, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2023)

 

- Supervisor, Veronica Flowers. MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2023)

 

- Supervisor, Diane Orefo, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2023)

 

- Supervisor, Hayley Meyers, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Completed 2024)

 

- Supervisor, Zechariah Childs, MAEP Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2024)

 

- Co-Supervisor, Jacey Zohr, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University, (Expected 2025)

 

- Supervisor, Michelle Saunders, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Expected 2026)

 

- Supervisor, Claire Brenton, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2025)

 

- Supervisor, Lucas Garcia, PhD in TRSU, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Graduated 2025)

 

- Committee Member, Sean Goldstone, Master of Environment in Environmental and Social Change, University of Winnipeg (Expected 2026)

 

- Supervisor, Valérie Lévesque-Martin, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Expected 2026)

 

- Supervisor, Rielle Chou, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Expected 2026)

 

- Supervisor, Kiley Best, PhD in TRSU, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Expected 2029)

- Supervisor, Zechariah Childs, PhD in TRSU, Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Expected 2029)