Scott is a marine ecologist whose research focuses on how ecological patterns and processes change across broad environmental gradients (particularly temperature), in coastal marine ecosystems. Scott primarily uses comparative experimental approaches in physiology, population biology and community ecology to understand the drivers of ecological change across space and time. Through this work, in 2016 Scott coined the name Great Southern Reef to describe the interconnected temperate reef system that spans over 8000 kms around the southern half of Australia. Scott is co-founder and director of the Great Southern Reef Foundation and co-lead of the Great Southern Reef Research Partnership. These transdisciplinary partnerships focus on understanding and celebrating the diverse social, cultural, ecological and economic values of the Great Southern Reef through science, art and education.