Degree program: M.A.M.A

Year accepted: 2025

Advisor: TBD

Research: Arctic Policy, Indigenous Rights, Marine Mammal Protection

Background: B.A. Marine Affairs, University of New England

Profile:

Sally Johnson is a motivated Master of Marine Affairs student at the University of Rhode Island.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marine Affairs from the University of New England in 2024, where she solidified her passion for ocean policy and marine conservation. Her studies and professional experiences reflect a lifelong interest for the ocean and a commitment to connecting local community engagement with policy decisions.

Before beginning graduate school, she interned and later worked at the Mystic Aquarium, where she led education and outreach programs focused on local marine species. In this role, she developed educational programming for early learners and the general public. Having initially learned about the ocean through the same Mystic Aquarium program as a child, she is passionate about sharing ocean knowledge with communities who don’t typically access the ocean and its resources. She also worked as a substitute paraeducator in Storrs, Connecticut schools. Committed to effectively teaching others, she assists students with reading and writing.

Her research interests focus on Arctic policy and the importance of incorporating Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge (TEK and LEK) into marine policy solutions. She is particularly interested in how Indigenous ecological knowledge can complement scientific research to address climate change impacts and guide conservation strategies in rapidly changing Arctic ecosystems.

Originally from Ashford, Connecticut, she feels a deep connection to the New England coast.  Outside of her studies, Sally finds inspiration from the ocean for her art. She creates ocean animal ceramics, crochet, and mosaics made from beach debris.