Virginie is Professor in Coastal Geography at La Rochelle University, La Rochelle, France. She specializes in coastal environments and climate change research, with a focus on coastal risks and potential nature-based solutions in overseas island French territories.

Bruce has worked as a policy advisor, consultant planner, and academic in South Africa, the USA, and New Zealand. His applied research centres on how to make societal choices in turbulent times, with a focus on climate change adaptation; natural hazards planning; coastal governance; and collaborative planning and conflict transformation.

Christina's research examines the governance of risk reduction and climate change adaptation, with a focus on the role of environmental planning. An important research theme is the application of managed retreats to reduce risks to human lives, assets, and ecosystems.

Patrick is Professor of Geography at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Trained as a geographer and geologist, specializing in the effects of sea-level changes on landscape evolution, he was based at the University of the South Pacific where he became immersed in Pacific geological histories and cultural worldviews.

Meg is a passionate transdisciplinary social scientist specializing in environmental management and climate change adaptation, focusing on specifically Indigenous peoples and other under-represented groups. Her expertise spans climate adaptation's social and cultural aspects, emphasising climate justice, gender justice, Indigenous and local knowledge, and decolonial environmental management practices.

Huhana (Ngāti Tukorehe, Raukawa ki te Tonga) is an interdisciplinary researcher who engages in major environmental projects through kaupapa Māori and action-orientated art/design about freshwater and marine health and climate change pressures that beset coastal ancestral lands and related biodiversity for Kuku, Horowhenua, within Aotearoa New Zealand and into the world.

Sophie is a geographer and head of school of Te Iho Whenua Geography at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, University of Otago. She teaches and researches in environmental democracy, specifically focusing on communities’ responses to change. In the last 15 years, this has included a focus on climate justice and just adaptation.

Kirsten Gibson is the Manager at the South Dunedin Community Network, a place-based community organisation that seeks to connect people across the wider South Dunedin area to strengthen communities and help people use their voice to create a vibrant, resilient community and a safe future together.

Alex Gorrie is an Engineer in the Mana Taiao team at Aukaha. Alex has led Aukaha’s work on the SDF programme on behalf of mana whenua, including development of a cultural values framework, undertaking an assessment of risk through a Kāi Tahu lens, and the consideration of mana whenua values in the assessment of future adaptation scenarios.

Jonathan is the Programme Manager for South Dunedin Future, a joint initiative between the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to develop a climate change adaptation plan for the low-lying and flood affected South Dunedin. Jonathan is a climate adaptation practitioner with a background in sustainable development.

Janet is a research professor and social scientist. Recent adaptation research includes working with Māori communities and councils that are leading innovative responses to climate change challenges. She and her team have provided academic input into the Dunedin City Council’s adaptation strategies for at least 6 years.