Dr. Austin Shelton joined the faculty of the University of Guam (UOG) in 2016 as an assistant professor of extension and outreach. Shelton later received appointments to concurrently serve as the director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and UOG Sea Grant. He leads initiatives that support the transition of island communities toward a sustainable future. Current activities include aligning with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and stimulating island circular economy industries. A native of Guam, Shelton grew up observing environmental challenges of island communities and was inspired to become a marine and environmental scientist. Shelton conducts research to revive island ecosystems and builds STEM capacity in Pacific Islander communities through student research experiences and science fairs. Shelton manages a portfolio of grants from Sea Grant (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR, NSF INCLUDES, Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units (U.S. Navy), and the Northern and Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Shelton coordinates multiple regional and international collaborations as the representative of the Guam focal point for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), delegate to the National Sea Grant Association, and UOG member representative to the Global Consortium for Sustainability Outcomes. Shelton earned a B.S. degree in marine biology from Hawai`i Pacific University and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in zoology with a specialization in marine biology from the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa.

Austin presenting at Island Sustainability Community Advisory Board
Q & A with Austin:
Q: Austin: you’ve mentioned that Guam is the first place to experience the effects of climate change. Please share more information about that and how it is impacting the island along with major challenges you are facing.
Q: Is there a new direction or something else coming along that will boost your efforts there and how might that impact other islands around you?
A: The University of Guam and our local government are planning strategic steps to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to accelerate local implementation of the SDGs. We are currently working with the Hawaii Green Growth UN Local 2030 Islands Hub and the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) to become recognized as a Local 2030 Hub in Guam. This will boost our local and regional sustainability initiatives.
Austin’s Networking Contacts:
- Philanthropists and corporations who are interested in working in small islands (the frontlines of global climate change impacts) to advance sustainability initiatives, reduce waste (especially plastics), and increase climate change resilience.
- Investors interested in working with our Center for Island Sustainability and local business incubator to fund new and/or expand existing circular economy industries
- Experts from NGOs, non-profits, foundations, and academia interested in partnering on island sustainability initiatives (i.e., food security, fisheries, climate change, sustainable tourism, education, renewable energy, etc)
Contact:
Website: www.uog.edu/cis
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/austin-j-