Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Environmental Sciences

First Advisor

Robert E. Bowen

Second Advisor

Paul Kirshen

Third Advisor

Paul DiGiacomo

Abstract

Despite unprecedented satellite Earth observation (EO) capabilities and free data availability, widespread adoption in coastal management remains limited due to persistent communication barriers between satellite experts and coastal practitioners. This dissertation addresses the fundamental challenge of translating satellite EO technical capabilities into management-relevant applications. Through synthesis of literature, stakeholder interviews, and two multi-year co-development case studies in Virginia's Middle Peninsula and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this research identifies systematic barriers to satellite EO adoption and develops innovative frameworks for overcoming them.

The work argues for a common language between satellite product developers and coastal managers, identifying communication barriers spanning technical, institutional, and knowledge transfer domains. Case assessments demonstrate that co-development of EO approaches can produce multiple operational satellite products. Shoreline change analysis, water quality monitoring, and habitat assessment tools were enhanced by co-development practices.

The key innovation treats satellite data literacy as language learning, introducing the CREATE Framework—six proficiency-based co-development techniques (Classify, Relate, Educate, Align, Tailor, Enable) adapted from bilingual education models. This approach recognizes different user proficiency levels and redistributes responsibilities across the satellite data ecosystem, with data intermediaries (regional planning bodies, academic institutions, and boundary-spanning organizations) serving as translators between technical experts and coastal managers.

Long-term sustainability requires academic institutions to develop transdisciplinary educational pathways combining satellite EO technical competencies with coastal management domain knowledge, cultivating professionals prepared to serve as data intermediaries. By leveraging data intermediaries and proficiency-based frameworks, this work provides concrete strategies for scaling satellite EO applications across diverse coastal management contexts, ultimately enhancing climate adaptation capabilities and coastal resilience planning.

Comments

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