Professor Xavier Basurto is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in self-governance and sustainability science, particularly as applied to fisheries and the conservation of natural environments. He studied his bachelor’s of science in Mexico, then did two masters and a PhD at the University of Arizona studying fishing communities in Mexico. He then was invited to be a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University working with Elinor Ostrom, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economics. For more than 15 years Basurto has been co-teaching field courses and co-producing research in Mexico to understand how people can engage in sustainable use of marine resources. Partners include indigenous Peoples (e.g., the Comcáac People of Sonora), Mexican non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (e.g., Niparajá and Comunidad y Biodiversidad), and organizations of small-scale fishers and fishworkers (e.g., the National Confederation of Fishing Cooperatives). Basurto has extensive experience with multi-country research partnerships. Since 2017 he co-leads the Illuminating Hidden Harvests Initiative, a global partnership with the United Nations to collect and synthesize environmental, economic, nutrition, gender, and governance data from 58 countries on the contributions of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development. Basurto currently holds the Truman and Nellie Semans/Alex Brown & Sons Bass Chair awarded for Excellence in Research and Undergraduate Education. He is well-published, with over 90 authored or co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles, having garnered more than 9,000 citations, and has directly mentored ~145 students (e.g., undergraduate, masters, PhDs, post-docs and international visitors) including many in and from Mexico. In 2023 he was recipient of the ‘Distinguished Mexican National Award.’ Bestowed by the Mexican Government to nationals living abroad that have developed a distinguished international career, serving as a role model, inspiration, pride, and prestige to people in their home country.’