Region:
Europe
Scholar Date:
2001 to 2002
Joe Stevens, 24, of St. Ives, Cornwall, England, was selected as the 2001 European Rolex Scholar. It was the first time the Society has awarded a European scholarship. Joe graduated in August, 2000 from King’s College, University of London, with a Bachelor of Science, first class honours degree in Applied Environmental Science. In his graduating year, Joe was awarded the Sir Halley Stewart Prize 1999/2000 for the best student of the graduating year in the field of Human Environmental Sciences. Joe hopes to contribute a greater understanding and promote internationalism in thinking of the aquatic environment, specifically the oceans. “I’m especially interested in marine ecology and its links to anthropogenic effects and human kind¹s connections with the sea.” Joe’s extensive travel has created a fascination in the design of effective marine reserve models and sustainable fishing practices, making comparisons around the globe comparing differing strategies and effectiveness. Pollution of the marine and freshwater environments is a major concern to Joe. (040202)
Joe is a certified PADI divemaster with many other varied interests. He has travelled extensively and at the age of sixteen, was awarded a two year scholarship to study at the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West in Montezuma, New Mexico, USA. This experience instilled “a love and respect for international interaction.” During a year off from University, Joe worked as a Project Trust Volunteer at the Malaysian Outward Bound School, teaching Malaysian and Singaporean participants kayaking, sailing, jungle trekking, camping, and team building. It was during his first year at University that Joe became inspired to learn to dive. During his time spent in Australia, he had the opportunity to really focus on marine science, taking courses in coral reef ecology, oceanography, and marine ecology. He is also a keen skier, currently instructing disabled children in Switzerland. Joe comes from a long line of seafarers, which has fostered a deep love of the sea. He speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.
Joe hopes to contribute a greater understanding and promote internationalism in thinking of the aquatic environment, specifically the oceans. “I’m especially interested in marine ecology and its links to anthropogenic effects and human kind’s connections with the sea.” Joe’s extensive travel has created a fascination in the design of effective marine reserve models and sustainable fishing practices, making comparisons around the globe comparing differing strategies and effectiveness. Pollution of the marine and freshwater environments is a major concern to Joe who states, “It is infuriatingly complex due to the elusiveness of pollution in the aquatic environment. While countries are quick to assume jurisdiction to fresh and marine water resources, responsibility for neglect of such ‘common’ resources is often overlooked. These are fascinating subjects requiring a multidisciplinary, often international approach to gain a useful understanding, especially in a closely-knit geographical and economic region like Europe.”
