Allison Paley

Background

About Allison Paley

Dr Allison Paley is a Lecturer (Science) and Program Coordinator at James Cook University’s Bebega Yumba (Townsville) campus. For the past two years she has acted as the Program Coordinator for ATSIMS - Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science - a marine science education and outreach program for First Nations high school students. She has recently started as the International Program Coordinator between JCU and Southwest University (SWU) in Chongqing, China. Allison has been an employee of JCU for more than 15 years where she has become an experienced lecturer, subject coordinator, and researcher in the fields of coral biology and coral eco-physiology. Allison has coordinated several subjects for the College of Science and Engineering at JCU, including Introductory Marine Biology, Introduction to Biological Processes, and Coral Reef Ecology, spanning first to third year university and masters level subjects. Allison has more than 10 years experience as laboratory safety manager for the Coral Biology and Coral Ecophysiology Labs at JCU, and is committed to creating and maintaining safe work environments in the lab and field. Dr Paley is passionate about the scholarship of learning, higher education and marine science education. Allison has more than 15 years experience working with primary, secondary and tertiary students teaching about coral reefs, and working in the field leading experiential marine education programs. For the last two years Allison has worked as a casual Education Officer for Orpheus Island Research Station (JCU) developing the curriculum for the Classroom on the Reef (COTR) educational program Additionally, Allison has taught Marine Science, Applied Marine Science, and a course called Saving Coral Reefs, as an online instructor with Astra Nova School (Los Angeles, USA) since 2021. Dr Paley is an experienced scuba diver with more than 450 logged hours underwater, an avid snorkeler / free diver, and capable boat handler for marine vessels up to 6m. She is best known as "Field Trip Mom" to her colleagues, and as a real Mom to her two young boys who occasionally accompany her on her Australian island adventures. It's Dr Paley's personal mission in life to turn all those she encounters professionally into lovers of coral and to foster appreciation for their complex coral reef homes.