As a researcher my objective is to seek a new level of understanding about what drives the spatial and temporal dynamics of natural populations and communities and how they respond to anthropogenic influences. To do this I focus on the second order effects displayed by these systems, which are typically displayed in patterns in the mean, variance and covariance of processes that can be used to tease out and identify important factors that define these systems. In addition to this I have an interest in and try to contribute to other research areas including the practical issues surrounding survey design and analysis, database management, and fisheries stock assessment as well as some more philosophical issues such as identifying what is the nature of good science, determining better ways for communicating and utilizing science and statistics, and clarifying scientific responsibility in issues of governance.