Dr Lucy Buxton
Founder of Ocean Decade Australia (ODA)
Dr Lucy Buxton is a marine scientist, strategist and female founder of Ocean Decade Australia (ODA). Her work sits at the intersection of ocean science, policy, industry and investment, helping translate scientific knowledge into practical pathways for sustainable ocean use and economic opportunity.
Lucy has held professional leadership roles in the research sector, leading science communication and engagement, research strategy, international partnerships, innovation, commercialisation, and business development. Building on this foundation, her work has increasingly focused on ocean governance — bringing together science, policy, industry and finance to support more coordinated stewardship and sustainable development of the ocean.
In 2021, recognising a critical gap in Australia’s ocean governance and engagement with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UN Ocean Decade), Lucy co-founded Ocean Decade Australia. Through this work, she helps convene leaders across industry, government, research and civil society to align Australian initiatives with global ocean priorities.
She also serves as Secretariat to the Australian National Ocean Decade Committee, supporting Australia’s engagement with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and strengthening collaboration between science, government, industry and finance.
Through her work, Lucy focuses on connecting science, business and capital to accelerate innovation, inform decision-making, and unlock investment that supports both a healthy ocean and a thriving ocean economy.
