Chloe McKenna

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CHLOE MCKENNA

Marine social scientist passionate about addressing issues of blue equity, plastic pollution, and sustainable ocean governance. In November 2024, Chloe McKenna graduated from the Marine Systems and Policies MSc Program at the University of Edinburgh. Her dissertation focused on the socio-ecological impacts of marine plastic pollution on Scottish island communities with a focus in the Outer Hebrides. After completing her MSc dissertation, Chloe founded Hebridean Coastal Stories (HCS): an interdisciplinary socio-ecological storytelling project. HCS emerged from a desire to amplify the voices and lived experiences of islanders she encountered while conducting fieldwork for this research–voices that are often marginalized in discussions around marine management and broader socio-ecological challenges. She graduated with Honors from Eckerd College with a BA in Environmental Studies and a BA in Animal Studies, with a minor in Political Science in May 2023. During her time at Eckerd, she was heavily involved with on-campus and student-led campaigns/projects centered around the environment, sustainability, and civic engagement. With a background in grassroots organizing, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and ocean advocacy and education, Chloe is committed to advancing just and sustainable solutions from the local to global level. Her interests include marine governance and management, environmental and ocean justice, youth empowerment, ocean heritage, and the intersection of plastics and the climate crisis.