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, 91亚色
- Bachelor of Arts (2004) Environmental Studies, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色
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,
- 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). 淲hat I檓 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). 淚f there檚 one or two, take them but if there檚 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檚 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檚 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 淕ender 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: 淧rerequisites 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: 淔orest-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 91亚色 (Graduated 2017)
- Supervisor, Ukachi Okpara. MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2017)
- Supervisor, Elizabeth Belanzaran, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2018)
- Supervisor, Jennifer Adams, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2019)
- Supervisor, Victoria Gallagher, MAEP, Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2019)
- Supervisor, Jason Dicker, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2019)
- Supervisor, Anastasia Alddai, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2020)
- Supervisor, Kirsten Miller, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2020)
- Supervisor, Chelsea Felming, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2020)
- Supervisor, Roshayne Mendis, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2020)
- Supervisor, Conor Edwards, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2022)
- Supervisor, Skylar Skinner, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2023)
- Supervisor, Veronica Flowers. MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2023)
- Supervisor, Diane Orefo, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2023)
- Supervisor, Hayley Meyers, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Completed 2024)
- Supervisor, Zechariah Childs, MAEP Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2024)
- Co-Supervisor, Jacey Zohr, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色, (Expected 2025)
- Supervisor, Michelle Saunders, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Expected 2026)
- Supervisor, Claire Brenton, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2025)
- Supervisor, Lucas Garcia, PhD in TRSU, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Graduated 2025)
- Committee Member, Sean Goldstone, Master of Environment in Environmental and Social Change, University of Winnipeg (Expected 2026)
- Supervisor, Val茅rie L茅vesque-Martin, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Expected 2026)
- Supervisor, Rielle Chou, MAEP, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Expected 2026)
- Supervisor, Kiley Best, PhD in TRSU, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Expected 2029)
- Supervisor, Zechariah Childs, PhD in TRSU, Grenfell Campus of 91亚色 (Expected 2029)