Carmen is a human geographer with over 15 years experience working in the academic and private sectors. She currently holds two research fellow positions relating to coastal governance (University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD) and coastal and marine resource management (University of Western Australia, WA).

Carmen has worked for international development agencies (e.g. AusAID, USAid) and national and municipal governments in the Pacific, South-east Asia, Australia and Europe on coastal climate change issues. She is the state rep for Western Australian branch of the Australian Coastal Society.