Edward is the founder and Managing Director of Dragonfly. He enjoys bringing evidence to the table, using information to make clear, principled decisions.
Since starting Dragonfly in 2006, Edward and the growing team have used their skills to solve problems for decision makers – helping governments make better policy, and industries become more sustainable and profitable. Edward has experience with a wide range of stakeholders, and believes in pragmatic approaches that add value.
Edward has a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where he studied theoretical physics in the cosmology group led by Professor Stephen Hawking. Returning to New Zealand, Edward worked as an oceanographer for 10 years, researching interactions between the physical and biological environment. Since starting Dragonfly, he has focussed on statistical analysis.
Statistical analysis is at the heart of the decision making process. It allows managers to balance opportunity and risk, resulting in principled decisions that make best use of available information.
Selected publications
Abraham, E. R., Law, C. S., Boyd, P. W., Lavender, S. J., Maldonado, M. T., & Bowie, A. R. (2000). Importance of stirring in the development of an iron-fertilized phytoplankton bloom. Nature, 407(6805), 727–730. doi:10.1038/35037555
Abraham, E. R., Pierre, J. P., Middleton, D. A. J., Cleal, J., Walker, N. A., & Waugh, S. M. (2009). Effectiveness of fish waste management strategies in reducing seabird attendance at a trawl vessel. Fisheries Research, 95, 210–219. doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2008.08.014
Richard, Y., & Abraham, E. R. (2013). Risk of commercial fisheries to New Zealand seabird populations. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 109. 58 p. Retrieved from http://www.mpi.govt.nz/document-vault/4265